Shining a Spotlight on our Board

July 30, 2025

Andrea Stiles Pullas on Building a More Connected Ecosystem 

Andrea Stiles Pullas brings a systems-level perspective – and a personal commitment to adult learners – to her role on The Attainment Network Board. With years of experience in workforce and community development, she has seen the power of connecting people, institutions, and opportunities across Colorado. In this Board Spotlight, Andrea reflects on what drew her to The Attainment Network, the advice that continues to guide her, and why she believes this work is essential. 

 

Q: What inspired you to get involved with The Attainment Network, and why is expanding education and career opportunities for learners and earners so important to you? 
A. I worked for many years with adult learners and am passionate about helping them gain recognition for the skills they already have, connect to meaningful credentials, and ensure their learning journey connects in a relevant way to career opportunities. This interest perfectly aligns with the work of The Attainment Network. I have witnessed firsthand the power of The Attainment Network's work in connecting and aligning institutions across the ecosystem to benefit all Colorado learners. 


Q: How have your personal or professional experiences shaped your understanding of the shifts needed in our education-to-workforce systems to better support learners and meet industry needs? 
A. In my work in community and workforce development, I have experienced the many barriers that exist between and across institutions. The current landscape was not designed with a learner journey in mind – this is what The Attainment Network is working to change. 


Q: What’s a piece of career advice you’ve received that still sticks with you, and who offered you that advice? 
A. "Our flight through life is sustained by the power of our knowledge" – This quote is on a plaque, given to me by my Dad, Randy Stiles – a passionate lifelong learner who has inspired that same mentality in me. 


Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of The Attainment Network and its impact on learners, earners, and entire communities across the state? 
A. When The Attainment Network first started, the work focused on building awareness and buy-in around the importance of establishing connective tissue across the ecosystem. Fast forward to today, the work has evolved into figuring out what works and what doesn't in implementation and aligning interests in a sustainable way. The Attainment Network is leading the way in this work and plays a critical role in driving action in our state’s career-connected learning ecosystem. I am honored to support the organization and its incredible team as a member of the Board. 


Q: What book is on your bedside table? Would you recommend it? Why or why not? 
A. The Book of Delights – I love this book and its short vignettes about the delights that surround us. It remains on my bedside table as a reminder of the goodness in this world – we can find it everywhere if we choose to look. 

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Celebrating a Year of Partnership and Progress for Learners and Earners in the San Luis Valley

July 21, 2025
The Attainment Network was founded on a simple belief: partnership drives progress . Even so, we are amazed by what the San Luis Valley Career-Connected Partnership has accomplished in just one year. Last week we gathered in Alamosa at Trinidad State College – Valley Campus with all of our partners to celebrate our accomplishments over the last year. Our colleagues from Adams State University, Trinidad State College, San Luis Valley Health, Valley Wide Health Systems, Boys & Girls Club, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and many others heard firsthand from learners and earners whose education and career journeys are being transformed through this collaboration. Meet a few of those learners and earners: Sunny Garcia – mother of a five-week-old infant – received support for books and nursing supplies while attending Adams State University to obtain her bachelor of science degree in nursing. She now works as a registered nurse at San Luis Valley Health and plans to start a doctorate program in nursing this fall. Nicole Peyer faced a major setback when her car broke down during her first semester in the nursing program at Adams State University. With help from partners, she secured reliable transportation to continue school and work. Today, she holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and is working as a registered nurse in the Medical/Surgical unit at San Luis Valley Health. Ronny Herrera , a father of two, received resources and support from partners while completing a master’s degree in clinical mental health. He plans to serve the youth in the Valley as a mental health counselor. These stories are powerful, but they represent just a fraction of what this partnership has achieved. In its first year, the collaboration has: Expanded CNA and Medical Assistant training programs into 13 of the 14 school districts in the valley , with 9 of those offering full, standalone programs. Empowered more than 24 students with hands-on experience through internships, training in the mobile lab, and other work-based learning programs. Equipped 73 learners with an industry-recognized credential Supported 15 adult learners in advancing their education – 6 of whom have already graduated from their programs. And the momentum continues! A mobile lab donated by SLV Health will travel the Valley this fall, giving students insight into careers in healthcare and other high-value careers as well as providing CNA and MA students with access to a clinic for hands-on training. And thanks to virtual reality headsets from Transfr – donated by the LOR Foundation and the Colorado Department of Housing and Finance – students across the valley can explore healthcare and other in-demand careers right in their own classrooms. What the San Luis Valley Career-Connected Partnership has accomplished is the future of rural workforce development. This framework for cross-sector collaboration can be used to meet critical workforce needs across rural Colorado – and that’s exactly what you’ll see in the future.

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July 7, 2025
Dr. Sarah Heath on elevating learner voice and expanding early access to careers

Summer in Full Bloom: The Attainment Network’s July Events

July 7, 2025
We’re energized by the growing momentum across Colorado to create meaningful opportunities for learners and earners to step into high-value, in-demand careers. The Attainment Network team will be on the move this month – connecting with partners across the state, celebrating the progress we’re making together, and enjoying the mountains and the wildflowers during this beautiful season. 🗓️ Tuesday, July 15 🔹 SLV All Partners Meeting – San Luis Valley 🎉 The Attainment Network Team is celebrating one year of partnership in the San Luis Valley with a panel of learners and earners sharing their experiences. Join us and check out the virtual reality headsets that are bringing career exploration activities to rural students and the mobile health clinic we’re using for CNA and MA training! 🔹 Tech Talent Partnership – Education Task Force – Denver 💡 Exploring collaborative strategies to grow Colorado’s tech talent pipeline. 🗓️ July 21–23 🔹 Badge Summit – CU Boulder Stefan is participating in this national convening on the future of digital credentials in K–12, higher ed, industry, and more. 🗓️ Tuesday, July 29 🔹 Behavioral Health Sector Partnership Action Group Meeting – Online Michelle is excited to collaborate on solutions to strengthen behavioral health career pathways across Colorado.