by Julia Sundstrom
Three months ago, Western Colorado Community College (WCCC) welcomed home Dennis Bailey-Fougnier as the new CMU vice president of community college affairs and the leader of WCCC.
“My goal is to have people see WCCC as their ‘go-to’ for workforce training,” Bailey-Fougnier said.
He graduated from Fruita Monument High School and soon after earned an associates degree from CMU when it was formerly Mesa State College. Subsequently, he earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Oregon, a master’s in counseling from Wichita State University and a doctoral degree in community college leadership from Oregon State University.
“I have been gone for 35-plus years,” Bailey-Fougnier said. “My perspective has changed. During my years in California, in Oregon, in Virginia, in Kansas, I have learned things that other institutions in other places are doing. I bring those good things with me and will try to translate how to make those good things work at WCCC.”
He worked in university admissions at the University of Oregon as a work-study student. That experience introduced him to the idea of becoming a prominent figure in the lives of college students.
“I really love the opportunities that community colleges can provide,” Bailey-Fougnier said. “I love helping students believe in themselves. Everybody has the ability to get a college degree.”
Approximately 500 high school students are currently involved with the programs offered at WCCC, due to their contract with the D51 school district.
CMU’s work coincides with WCCC programs, such as early development childhood education and culinary programs. The programs and training offered are more applied educations like the medical field, welding or electrical and wildland fire management.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate of Mesa County was recorded lower to 4.6 percent, since 2016.
Even though the unemployment rate is significantly lower, Bailey-Fougnier is rooted and invested into the community. He desires to help young adults realize that community college is a source provided, which will present a perfect opportunity to jump into vital everyday workforce jobs or finish general education courses.
“That unemployment rate in Grand Junction is pretty high,” Bailey-Fougnier said. “If we can get them into a training process where they can get a good job quickly, then we can get them back re-engaged to hopefully continue a certificate or an associate degree, and I would love to see them continue onto a bachelor’s degree.”
Three months ago, Western Colorado Community College (WCCC) welcomed home Dennis Bailey-Fougnier as the new CMU vice president of community college affairs and the leader of WCCC.
“My goal is to have people see WCCC as their ‘go-to’ for workforce training,” Bailey-Fougnier said.
He graduated from Fruita Monument High School and soon after earned an associates degree from CMU when it was formerly Mesa State College. Subsequently, he earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Oregon, a master’s in counseling from Wichita State University and a doctoral degree in community college leadership from Oregon State University.
“I have been gone for 35-plus years,” Bailey-Fougnier said. “My perspective has changed. During my years in California, in Oregon, in Virginia, in Kansas, I have learned things that other institutions in other places are doing. I bring those good things with me and will try to translate how to make those good things work at WCCC.”
He worked in university admissions at the University of Oregon as a work-study student. That experience introduced him to the idea of becoming a prominent figure in the lives of college students.
“I really love the opportunities that community colleges can provide,” Bailey-Fougnier said. “I love helping students believe in themselves. Everybody has the ability to get a college degree.”
Approximately 500 high school students are currently involved with the programs offered at WCCC, due to their contract with the D51 school district.
CMU’s work coincides with WCCC programs, such as early development childhood education and culinary programs. The programs and training offered are more applied educations like the medical field, welding or electrical and wildland fire management.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate of Mesa County was recorded lower to 4.6 percent, since 2016.
Even though the unemployment rate is significantly lower, Bailey-Fougnier is rooted and invested into the community. He desires to help young adults realize that community college is a source provided, which will present a perfect opportunity to jump into vital everyday workforce jobs or finish general education courses.
“That unemployment rate in Grand Junction is pretty high,” Bailey-Fougnier said. “If we can get them into a training process where they can get a good job quickly, then we can get them back re-engaged to hopefully continue a certificate or an associate degree, and I would love to see them continue onto a bachelor’s degree.”
