The new name for what has been Pikes Peak Community College for about a half-century suggests something bigger, something more ambitious, more… significant.

The college hopes to live up to that. It’s certainly true that the college has outgrown the name in many respects. For instance, it’s now offering three bachelor’s degrees, and it plans to add more soon. PPSC has been ranked among the best in the country for military students and their families. The nursing program consistently ranks among the best in the nation. 

PPSC is continually expanding its programs to address critical workforce needs. One example is the new Center for Healthcare Education & Simulation, which houses classrooms for nursing and allied health programs as well as a state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary simulation lab.

The college continues to grow the thriving Downtown art scene with its new Studio West building on the Downtown Campus. It houses a modernized art gallery as well as a black box theatre, dance rehearsal, and performance space. The Downtown Campus also has been renovated, with a new Learning Commons, and it will soon be home to the college’s computer sciences classes.

But as PPSC expands in size and vision, it’s important to remind the community of what does not change with the new name. PPSC remains open admission, meaning that whatever grades someone received in high school or at another college, they are accepted at PPSC, and they will get the support they need to succeed. The cost also remains affordable, a fraction of what students would pay at most four-year institutions. That’s why PPSC students graduate and move into the workforce with little or no debt.

Another thing that will not change is the college’s commitment to two-year degrees and short-term certificates. PPSC is still a launching point for those transferring to achieve higher degrees as well as those who want the fastest, most efficient route to rewarding careers.

Pikes Peak State College also remains fiercely dedicated to making every student feel a sense of belonging. The college is proud to be an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution, with nearly a quarter of its student body identifying as having a Hispanic heritage. That’s not surprising, considering PPSC remains the largest and most diverse college in the Pikes Peak region. 

Yes, the college has changed its name. But the college’s vision has changed by only one letter: “Students Succeed at PPSC.”

More About Pikes Peak State College:

• Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, PPSC offers associate degrees, certifications in career and technical fields and three bachelors’ degrees. With three campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPSC provides access to a quality, affordable and flexible education to more than 16,000 students annually.
• Our average class size is 14. 
• Our students: military affiliated 31%, first generation college students 54%, minorities 41%
• We offer transferrable credits to UCCS, CSU, Regis and many other four-year colleges and universities throughout the nation.
• PPSC contributes $390.3 million to the local economy.
• PPSC students receive a rate of return of 13% on the money they invest in tuition.
• PPSC awards more than $1 million in scholarships annually. Most students who apply for scholarships or financial aid get assistance.

For more information about Pikes Peak State College, visit pikespeak.edu.