Western Colorado University Earns Career Connected Campus Designation

Western Colorado University has been named one of five Colorado colleges to receive the Career Connected Campus designation from the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), recognizing Western’s commitment to preparing students for life after graduation.

The designation rewards institutions that prioritize practical skills, professional development, and career readiness alongside a rigorous classroom environment. According to the CDHE, a career-connected college is committed to empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to succeed in their chosen careers and make meaningful contributions to their respective industries.

“We’re proud to be one of a few, select institutions to receive this important designation,” President Baca said. “This recognition underscores the work Western has done to integrate career readiness into every stage of the student experience.”

Career development at Western starts as soon as students arrive on campus, with an early introduction to Handshake and other digital networking and job search tools. In considering which institutions would get the Career Connected designation, the CDHE placed a high priority on a proactive approach to post-graduation performance and rewarded institutions that have programs in place to help students with career development.

For Katheryne Hinze, Western’s Director of Career Services, who started in the role last year, the University’s commitment to career readiness is reflected in a renewed focus and fresh resources that have allowed her office to grow from just one staff position to two staff and four student Career Ambassadors.

The larger team is able to cover more ground, with weekly stops in every department on campus. They also hold regular hours in six “flex spaces” around campus where students can stop in to talk with a career counselor without an appointment.

“Preparing students for life after Western takes more than a single visit to Career Services,” Hinze said. “It is about building a campus-wide culture of collaboration, where every partnership, relationship, and initiative helps students develop the confidence and skills to succeed beyond graduation.”

Hands-on learning has always been a hallmark of a Western education. But the Career Connected Campus brought a renewed focus to field experience and just how important it is for career readiness.

To earn the Career Connected Campus designation, institutions were required to offer experiential learning opportunities, like internships, fieldwork, or clinical placements, in at least 75% of their academic programs. Western surpassed that threshold significantly, with more than 90% of its majors featuring a hands-on component that helps students apply their learning in the real world.

Western will reapply for the Career Connected Campus designation in 2029 and again demonstrate its commitment to preparing students for success, not just in the classroom, but in their careers and communities as well.

“This designation confirms that we’ve built something meaningful,” President Baca said. “More than just providing our students with degrees, we’re preparing them to lead, to contribute, and to thrive in whatever path they choose.”