Community College Month Shines a Spotlight on Aims’ Impact

Each April, Aims celebrates Community College Month. The 2026 national theme is “The Smartest First Step, The Strongest Next Step.” It reflects a simple truth: community colleges are not one-size-fits-all institutions. They are launchpads. They are pivot points. They are finishing lines that lead directly to essential careers.

Aims Community College has served as an educational institution in Northern Colorado since 1967. The college stands out by empowering learners to achieve academic and career goals through more than 200 degree and certificate programs, preparing students for the workforce or to transfer to a four-year school. 

You might look to Aims for its affordability, but stopping there undersells what the college offers. Value isn’t just measured in dollars saved, it’s reflected in the outcomes, experiences and opportunities students gain. Aims graduates enter the workforce with stronger skills and higher earning potential compared to peers without college credentials. This creates greater upward mobility for students and their families.

Student-Centered Learning

At Aims, learners enjoy individualized attention, mentorship and access to instructors who bring academic expertise and industry experience to the classroom. Academics are challenging, providing students with a solid foundation for future studies and careers. Small class sizes allow professors to know their students by name and provide the personal guidance that makes a real difference. 

Learners share that Aims provides meaningful one-on-one support. What stood out most to Brian Bernal, a liberal arts student, was the encouragement he received from his instructors. “My teachers inspire me by taking an interest in my work. That simple recognition makes me feel like I belong here,” he explained. “My instructors helped me embrace challenges” in courses like economics and history, where he struggled. 

This extra attention paid off for Bernal, who received a 4.0 in his first semester after being away from the classroom for many years. “At Aims, I’ve learned to set higher expectations for myself and achieve them,” he said. 

Bernal plans to transfer to the University of Northern Colorado. He participates in the Aims2UNC program, in which students study at Aims for the first two years and easily transfer to UNC to complete a bachelor's degree in four years. It offers cost savings, specialized advising and support. “Being part of Aims2UNC connected me with people who understand the transfer process and want to see me succeed,” he said. 

Outside of academics, Aims takes care of its students in many ways. This includes advising, student accessibility services, counseling and more. It was among the first higher education institutions to receive the Hunger-Free Campus designation from the State of Colorado, following the opening of Arty’s Pantry. By helping students manage the critical issue of food insecurity, they can achieve their individual goals with reduced stress.

The next step to nurture students’ well-being is the opening of the Student Health and Wellness Center in early Fall 2026. Students and their immediate family can access medical and basic dental services. Student counseling services will expand into the new facility to provide mental health support. Offering these services on campus helps ensure that students stay focused on their education rather than worrying about getting the care they need.

Combining personal support, academic rigor and resources, Aims empowers students to thrive inside and outside the classroom.

State-of-the-Art Facilities and Technology

Aims gives students hands-on training that matches or exceeds what they would find at larger institutions. Students learn in state-of-the-art facilities and with technology that mirrors workplace environments. Public safety students engage in scenarios using industry-standard equipment for police, fire and paramedic services. Prospective pilots and air traffic controllers train in advanced simulators replicating real flight conditions. Automotive students work in high-tech shops with the latest diagnostic systems. Welding booths and tools enable welders to practice on equipment they’ll find at a job.

The latest high-tech program is the new Aircraft Maintenance Technician program. The Aircraft Maintenance Training Center provides space to explore the inner workings of planes and to use advanced avionics, engine and maintenance training devices.

Another aspect of aviation is the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) drone program. Students fly drones for commercial projects and build experimental devices in labs equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters and advanced design tools. Aims student, Airam Korionoff, described it as a “gem” of a program. “We have this amazing lab to fabricate, design and build. It’s a fast-growing industry. Aims is giving us the space and the tools to stay ahead.”

Korionoff has successfully applied these resources to real-world projects. In one class, his team designed a drone capable of dropping simulated fire retardant, requiring them to solve problems in aerodynamics, coding and mechanical design. “You design it, build it, try to fly it, fail and then try again until you succeed,” he said. That iterative process, supported by the lab’s resources, provided him with the technical skills and teamwork experience he needed.

Another trailblazing opportunity is Aims’ partnership with Alquist 3D, a technology-driven construction company specializing in concrete printing. Aims offers online and hands-on continuing education courses to help train a skilled workforce in innovative 3D construction methods and technologies.

Through these leading-edge programs and industry partnerships, Aims ensures that students gain the skills, experience and confidence to lead in today’s rapidly evolving workforce.

Opportunities That Open Doors

Aims offers an array of co-curricular activities, campus events and student resources. Traditional service and honor society organizations are on campus. There are also groups focused on career interests, identity groups, or shared interests. Across campus, activities empower students to test skills, serve their communities and discover new passions. Aims students are building networks and experiences that prepare them for success.

Abby Flores is the current president of the Aims Agriculture Club. The club participates in the National Western Stock Show and organizes events, such as Ag Day, on the Fort Lupton Campus. “The Aims Ag Club is so important because it gives students a group of people who are into the same things,” Flores said. “Making new friendships and knowing people are there to cheer me on has made this a better experience.”

The Aims Ag Club participated in the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture competition in Texas, where Flores took second place in the agricultural communications category. She also helped her team bring home a trophy in veterinary science. 

Flores believes that Aims professors do more than teach; they open doors to industry connections. “Faculty members have a great network in several counties in Northern Colorado. If you want to explore a certain industry, then they have a point person they can put you in contact with,” she said. 

The Agriculture department brings in veterinarians, ranch managers and other professionals who give students real insight into the field. Field trips include tours of ranches, farms and other facilities to learn about innovative techniques and best practices. 

Amy McFarland, Chair of the Aims Agriculture Program and Professor Tammy Schneider often connect students with industry contacts, helping them secure jobs while still in school. Several students work in farming, ag financial management software, equestrian ranches, and veterinary offices and usually attribute their success in obtaining these positions to their Aims connections. “It’s not uncommon to get a text checking up on you or to have an instructor pull you aside and say, ‘Hey, you should try this opportunity.’” Flores recalled. 

In that same spirit of connection, the Aims Workforce Innovation Center (AWIC) is set to open in late fall 2026. The center will offer business incubator space, manufacturing labs and outdoor testing areas, bringing industry to campus. At the AWIC, students will have opportunities to see technologies and entrepreneurship in action. 

These connections highlight how Aims brings the industry directly to students. At the same time, the college is looking outward, creating opportunities for students to expand their horizons globally. This year, Aims launches its first study abroad program, featuring a summer voyage to Ireland. 

At Aims, education serves as a launchpad for growth, discovery and possibility. Students aren’t just preparing for the future, they’re creating it.