On January 27, 2026, President John Marshall was joined by Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd to announce that it has received a $2,456,746 grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) through the U.S. Department of Education to further advance education and professional credentialing opportunities on the Western Slope. Funding will support short-term training programs of eight to 15 weeks in industries with documented workforce needs like healthcare, technology and transportation.
“Leaders around the nation continue to recognize the unique work that Colorado Mesa University is doing to elevate the trades,” said CMU President John Marshall. “CMU Tech is a division of the university dedicated to creating degrees and job skills training that are responsive, relevant, affordable and provide immediate return to families investing in higher education. The community partners who helped secure this large investment in the trades have been with us every step of the way, and we look forward to supporting them by using this money to create a vibrant and skilled future workforce.”
CMU Tech, CMU’s career and technical education division, currently offers 31 industry-aligned associate degrees and 63 certificate programs designed to meet the workforce needs of Western Colorado, extending its offerings to learners in Delta, Garfield, Gunnison and Montrose counties. Located in a rural region 250+ miles from Denver, Colorado, CMU provides education and training in an area where opportunities are limited, and the distance across mountainous terrain to larger urban communities poses a challenge for those seeking to develop their skills, leading to lower educational attainment rates.
To close the gap in educational attainment rates and elevate Mesa County rates to the state average, CMU Tech instruction emphasizes hands-on, applied learning in environments that reflect real workplace settings, supported by internships, work-based learning opportunities, and registered apprenticeships developed in partnership with local employers. Microcredential pathways support flexible progression, allowing students to advance from short-term certificates to associate and bachelor’s degrees at a pace aligned with their career goals.
“These expanded programs will help students graduate with marketable skills, increased employability and access to future-focused training models that prepare them for high-demand industries,” said Cheryl Taylor, Mesa County Valley School District 51 director of career/college readiness.
“We believe that this initiative will significantly enhance the local healthcare workforce and benefit both jobseekers and healthcare providers in our region,” said Joe Gerardi, Community Hospital Chief Operations Officer and Chief Nursing Officer.
The funds from this grant will be used to expand current programming by adding high-quality microcertifications, including Commercial Driver License (CDL), Patient Care Technician, Ultrasound Technician, Medical Scribe, Bookkeeping and Accounting, Sterilization Technician, and Computer Science Specialist. Each program will be designed to be completed in fewer than 15 weeks, developed in collaboration with local employer partners like Mesa County Workforce Center, Mesa County Valley School District 51, Community Hospital and Primary Care Partners to ensure curriculum, equipment and instructional practices remain aligned with current labor market expectations.
“CMU Tech’s approach to developing fast-track, industry-aligned programs allows individuals to gain valuable skills quickly, creating opportunities for both new entrants to healthcare and current staff interested in advancing in our organization,” said Operations Manager Jesse Marquardt at Primary Care Partners, Inc.
“As part of this collaboration, the Mesa County Workforce Center is committed to identifying individuals who may benefit from high-quality, short-term training programs. We believe this partnership will significantly enhance the local workforce pipeline and expand access to career-advancing education for Mesa County residents,” said Heather Nara, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center.
CMU anticipates the results of these funds to increase enrollment in short-term programs and improve completion rates across participating fields. Students will earn industry-recognized workforce credentials that align with employer expectations, and graduates will be better prepared to secure employment in healthcare, technology and transportation sectors. Through strong employer partnerships and a deeper understanding of regional workforce needs, CMU and CMU Tech can continue to be a reliable provider of relevant, affordable and stackable education, strengthening Mesa County’s talent pipeline and increasing the supply of qualified workers in critical occupations.
The contents of this CMUnow article were developed under a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and readers should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.