Stackable Credential Pathways
During the 2022 legislative session, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 22-192 to improve access to quality credentials of value in the workplace and create greater alignment between credentials and work-based learning. The law mandates that CDHE work with other government agencies and stakeholders from industry, K12, and higher education to develop ten stackable credential pathways across five high-demand, high-growth industries by December 31, 2025. The bill also authorizes the department to distribute General Fund and State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars to institutions of higher education to support improved alignment and credential stackability.
Colorado’s 2021 Talent Pipeline Report on top jobs and critical industries helped inform CDHE’s focus on building stackable credential pathways in the following industries:
- Behavioral Health
- Cybersecurity
- Education
- Healthcare
- Software Developer
- Meet the Team
Allana Farley, Credential Pathways Coordinator
Allana leads efforts to build out stackable credentials in education, creating pathways to teacher licensure and address the teacher shortage in our state. She has been with the department since February 2023. Allana brings over 10 years’ experience serving in both higher education and nonprofits developing workforce, employment training programs and providing academic and career guidance. Allana is passionate about education and believes” that stackable credentials meet the needs of students and society."
Emily Millican, Behavioral Health Credential Pathways Coordinator
Emily joined the CDHE stackable credentials team in April 2023, serving as the behavioral health stackable credential pathways coordinator. In this role, she works with stakeholders in behavioral health education and training, behavioral health employers, and state agency partners to coordinate efforts toward and discussions around the creation and implementation of stackable credential pathways for Coloradans interested in training and employment in behavioral health fields. Emily earned a bachelor’s of social work degree in 2017 from Baylor University and a master’s of science in social work degree in 2020 from the University of Texas at Austin. Emily brings more than five years of experience in the field as a social worker, working with families, groups, and adolescents in various roles. Emily worked for the State of Colorado as a forensic social worker for two years before transitioning into this macro social work role with the state. Emily is passionate about increasing access to behavioral health care for Coloradans at every age and stage, and this begins with our behavioral healthcare workforce.
Madelyn Oaks, Healthcare Credential Pathways Coordinator
Madelyn (Maddy) Oaks joined the CDHE team in April 2023, serving as the healthcare credential pathways coordinator. In this role, she works closely with other state agencies and stakeholders including institutions of higher education, healthcare employers and nonprofit organizations to facilitate conversations around improving the efficiency of educational and career pathways for learner-earners across the state. Maddy earned a master’s of science degree in occupational therapy from The University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2016. Prior to joining CDHE, she worked for six years as an occupational therapist in various settings including acute rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient clinics, and most recently on a medical/surgical unit at a hospital in Broomfield, Colorado. Maddy is dedicated to clarifying educational pathways that lead to quality healthcare jobs and making healthcare education more accessible for all Coloradans.
Ruthanne Orihuela, Director of Credential Pathways & Prior Learning Initiatives
Ruthanne leads CDHE’s efforts to build out stackable credential pathways in accordance with Senate Bill 22-192. She has been with the department since October 2022. Prior to joining CDHE, Ruthanne served as provost at the Community College of Denver. She has many years of experience as Spanish faculty at community colleges and universities as well as over 12 years of higher education leadership experience as department chair, dean, and vice president/provost. Ruthanne is committed to building greater access to quality postsecondary experiences through more easily navigable stackable credential pathways.
- Our Work
Source Legislation: SB 22-192: Opportunities for Credential Attainment
In 2022-23, CDHE disbursed $1.7 million in General Fund dollars to area community colleges, local college districts, and area technical colleges to support a higher number of students earning non-degree credentials, such as postsecondary certificates, apprenticeship certificates, professional licenses, or industry certifications. These dollars can be used to support students who complete non-degree credentials that 1) are part of an industry-aligned pathway, 2) are associated with industries identified in the Talent Pipeline Report, 3) are stackable, and 4) address critical job shortages.
CDHE will distribute an additional $228,352 to the Colorado Community College System for staff support, training, and development of pathways between credential and academic programs.
CDHE will distribute $450,000 in Credential Pathways Technical Assistance Grants. CDHE is soliciting requests from public institutions of higher education for funding to support the development of high-quality stackable nondegree credentials in high-value industries. Funding will be distributed to institutions of higher education as technical assistance grants to be used for faculty stipends, data infrastructure, cost of prior learning assessments, and contract support necessary for the development of high-quality stackable credential pathways leading to high-value occupations. Round One of funding is currently open. See below to learn about our TA grantees.
2023 Stackable Credential Pathways Report on Opportunities for Credential Attainment
If you are interested in participating in the stackable credential pathways work, please complete this form or send an email for additional information.
- Behavioral Health Stackable Credential Leadership Team Description and Membership
The Colorado Department of Higher Education’s (CDHE) behavioral health stackable credential leadership team is working to develop two stackable non-degree credential pathways for Colorado learner/earners interested in pursuing or advancing their career in behavioral health care. We are focused on building opportunities for learner/earners with industry certifications to receive college credit for the skills and competencies they possess. Our leadership team is comprised of employer and faculty subject matter experts as well as learners and partners from state agencies, industry, and advocacy organizations. The leadership team meets monthly—every third Friday of the month from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining the leadership team, please complete this form or send an email for additional information.
Leadership Team Organizations
Alliance for Community and Justice Innovation
The Attainment Network
Axis Health System
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Colorado Behavioral Health Administration
Colorado Behavioral Health Council
Colorado Community College System
Colorado Department of Education
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado State University
Colorado Succeeds
Colorado Workforce Development Council
Community College of Aurora
Community College of Denver
Credential As You Go
Colorado State University Pueblo Denver Public Schools
Envision Strategy Group
Firefly Autism
Governor's Office
Heath Care Policy and Financing
Metropolitan State University
NASW-CO
Pikes Peak State College
Pueblo Community College
Summit Stone Health
Trinidad State College
University of Colorado Denver
University of Northern Colorado
Western Colorado University
CDHE Behavioral Health Contact
Emily Millican, LCSW
Behavioral Health Stackable Credential Pathways Coordinator
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Emily.Millican@dhe.state.co.us
303-996-6071
- Cybersecurity Stackable Credential Leadership Team Description and Membership
The Colorado Department of Higher Education’s (CDHE) cybersecurity stackable credential leadership team is working to develop two stackable non-degree credential pathways for Colorado learner/earners interested in pursuing or advancing their career in Information Technology with an emphasis in cybersecurity. We are focused on building opportunities for learner/earners with industry certifications to receive college credit for the skills and competencies they possess. Our leadership team is comprised of employer and faculty subject matter experts as well as learners and partners from state agencies, industry, and advocacy organizations. The leadership team meets monthly—every third Wednesday of the month from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining the leadership team, please complete this form or send an email for additional information.
Leadership Team Organizations
ActivateWork
The Attainment Network
BurstIQ
Canvas Credit Union
CareerWise Colorado
College Board
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Community College System
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado State University
Colorado State University Global
Colorado Technology Association
Community College of Denver
Credential As You Go
Data Nexus
Denver Public Schools
Front Range Community College
Governor’s Office
Innovate+Educate
Lockheed Martin
Microsoft
Pikes Peak State College
Red Rocks Community College
Spark Mindset
University of Colorado Denver
University of Northern Colorado
CDHE Cybersecurity Contact
Ruthanne Orihuela, Ph.D.
Director of Credential Pathways and Prior Learning Initiatives
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Ruthanne.Orihuela@dhe.state.co.us
720-776-3104
- Education Stackable Credential Leadership Team Description and Membership
The Colorado Department of Higher Education’s (CDHE) education stackable credential leadership team is working to develop two stackable non-degree credential pathways for Colorado learner/earners interested in pursuing or advancing their career in Education. We are focused on expanding and building opportunities for learner/earners to earn credentials/certificates that can lead to teacher licensure. Our leadership team is comprised of employer and faculty subject matter experts as well as learners and partners from state agencies, school districts, early childhood education and advocacy organizations. The leadership team meets monthly—every fourth Thursday of the month from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining the leadership team, please complete this form or send an email for additional information.
Leadership Team Organizations
Adams City Middle School
Adams State University
Arapahoe Community College
Association for Advancing Quality in Education Preparation
The Attainment Network
Aurora Public Schools
Calhan School District RJ-1, TASCC LLC Ear
Career Wise Colorado
CiviCO
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Community College System
Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Colorado Department of Education
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Colorado Department of Human Services
Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado State University Pueblo
Colorado State University
Colorado Succeeds
Colorado Workforce Center-Rural Workforce
Community College of Denver
Credential As You Go
Denver Public Schools
Early Childhood Council of La Plata County
Early Connections Learning Centers
Efshar Project
Envision Strategy Group
Front Range Community College
Goodwill of Colorado
Governor's Office
Higher Education Resource Services
MyLifeTrek, Inc.
Maryville University
Poudre School District
Pueblo Community College
Red Rocks Community College
Serve Colorado
St. Vrain Valley School District
Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Star Harbor
Teach Colorado
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Colorado Denver
University of Denver
University of Northern Colorado
CDHE Education Contact
Allana Farley, MBA, GCFI
Credential Pathways Coordinator
Colorado Department of Higher Education
www.linkedin.com/in/allanafarley
- Healthcare Stackable Credential Leadership Team Description and Membership
The Colorado Department of Higher Education’s (CDHE) healthcare stackable credential leadership team is working to develop two stackable non-degree credential pathways for Colorado learner/earners interested in pursuing or advancing their career in healthcare. We are focused on building opportunities for learner/earners to learn more about the pathways to nursing, diagnostic services, emergency medical services, and surgical services. Our leadership team is comprised of employer and faculty subject matter experts as well as learners and partners from state agencies, industry, and advocacy organizations. The leadership team meets monthly—every third Tuesday of the month from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining the leadership team, please complete this form or send an email for additional information.
Leadership Team Organizations
Aims Community College
The Attainment Network
Banner Health
Burst IQ
CareerWise Colorado
Colorado Commission on Family Medicine
Colorado Community College System
Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado State University
Colorado State University Global
Colorado Succeeds
Community College of Aurora
Community College of Denver
Credential As You Go
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
Colorado Workforce Center
Envision Strategy Group
Front Range Community College
Governor’s Office
Hands to the Future
Innovate+Educate
National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement
Pueblo Community College
Red Rocks Community College
Technical College of the Rockies
Trailhead Institute
University of Northern Colorado
University of Colorado Anschutz
CDHE Healthcare Pathways Contact
Madelyn Oaks
Healthcare Credential Pathways Coordinator
Colorado Department of Higher Education
P 303-862-3018
https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelynoaks
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- Software Developer Stackable Credential Leadership Team Description and Membership
The Colorado Department of Higher Education’s (CDHE) software developer stackable credential leadership team is working to develop two stackable non-degree credential pathways for Colorado learner/earners interested in pursuing or advancing their career in software developer. We are focused on building opportunities for learner/earners to learn more about the pathways to front end developer, back-end developer, full stack developer, and dev ops. Our leadership team is comprised of employer and faculty subject matter experts as well as learners and partners from state agencies, industry, and advocacy organizations. The leadership team meets monthly—every third Tuesday of the month from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining the leadership team, please complete this form or send an email for additional information.
Leadership Team Organizations
The Attainment Network
CareerWise Colorado
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Community College System
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Colorado State University
Colorado State University Global
Colorado Succeeds
Community College of Denver
Credential As You Go
Data Nexus
DeNovo
Denver Public Schools
Governor’s Office
Ibotta
Indigo Project
Innovate+Educate
Jobcase
Lockheed Martin
Microsoft
Randa Solutions
Red Rocks Community College
Spark Mindset
University of Colorado Denver
CDHE Software Developer Contact
Ruthanne Orihuela, Ph.D.
Director of Credential Pathways and Prior Learning Initiatives
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Ruthanne.Orihuela@dhe.state.co.us
720-776-3104