Emily Griffith Foundation

The future of workforce education is here! Last month Emily Griffith Technical College officially launched its brand-new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program specifically designed for apprentices.

This game-changing pathway allows students to earn a college degree, increase their earning potential, and advance their careers, all while continuing their vital, hands-on work in the trades.

An innovation of this scale doesn't happen without dedicated community backing. Emily Griffith Foundation has been hard at work fundraising to support the development and rollout of this groundbreaking program. Thank you to our amazing donors and partners for supporting student success and strengthening the Colorado workforce!

👇 Watch the recent CBS Colorado segment to learn how this program is changing lives:

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/video/emily-griffith-technical-college-gets-ready-to-graduate-its-first-students-with-associate-degrees/

Emily Griffith Technical College gets ready to graduate its first students with associate degrees Emily Griffith Technical College is changing the landscape of higher education across Colorado.

We are thrilled to celebrate the success of the Project HairCare pilot, made possible by a generous grant from UCHealth!

Barbers and stylists provide a sacred space where clients often share life’s heaviest challenges. Project HairCare, a program developed through the collaboration between the Colorado Black Health Collaborative and the University of Colorado School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine, trains barbers and stylists in the Black Community of Denver and Aurora in skills, tools and resources to help their clients who share their mental health challenges. Many of the barbers and stylists who completed the program wished they had learned these skills earlier in their career.

Based on this idea, Project HairCare and Emily Griffith Technical College partnered to build this idea into a reality. Emily Griffith faculty worked with community barbers from Project HairCare to refine and scaffold the Project HairCare curriculum, making it easier for our barbering and cosmetology students to learn, practice, and apply mental health support skills.

The result? A student-friendly program that empowers future stylists to help clients navigate anxiety, depression, and stress with real tools and resources.

Our pilot cohort wrapped in March with incredible feedback and success. A huge thank you to UCHealth for helping us turn the barber chair into a seat for community healing!

Honoring the Trades That Sustain Our Community 💧

This week marks a unique overlap: National Drinking Water Week and National Skilled Trades Day. At Emily Griffith Foundation, we’re taking a moment to recognize the students and industry partners within the Water Quality Management program at Emily Griffith Technical College.

As a significant portion of Colorado’s water workforce nears retirement, the need for new, highly-trained professionals has never been more critical. Our role at the Foundation is to ensure that the next generation of water quality experts has the resources they need to complete their training and enter this essential field.

By investing in these students, our donors are helping to:
-Remove Financial Barriers: Providing scholarships and support so students can focus on mastering this complex, technical trade.
-Protect Public Health: Supporting a program that trains the frontline defenders of our local water supply.
-Support Local Infrastructure: Helping our employer partners find the skilled talent they need to keep Colorado’s taps running.

Thank you to the donors and partners who make this vital education accessible.

Our hearts (and stomachs!) are full after an incredible "Women at Work" celebration!

On Wednesday, the Emily Griffith community gathered at Infinity Park Event Center to honor the women redefining what’s possible in trades and technical careers. From the inspiring stories shared by our student and alumni panel to the delicious cuisine from local restaurants, it was a day to remember.

A huge thank you to the hardworking staff at Emily Griffith Technical College for helping bring this vision to life, and to our partners who believe in the power of technical education.

Thank you to our sponsors:
▪Presenting Sponsor: KeyBank
▪Media Sponsor: CBS Colorado
▪Trades Showcase Sponsor: HCA HealthONE
▪Impact Sponsors: Encore Electric & Southwest Airlines
▪Corporate Sponsors: 1stBank (now a part of PNC), Montgomery Electric, Mortenson, Olive & Finch, RK Foundation, Sky Blue Builders, Trane, Workplace Resource

📸 Visit our event page for the full gallery and to support the next generation of women in trades: https://www.egfoundation.org/women-at-work-2026

2 DAYS TO GO! We’re officially SOLD OUT for Wednesday’s big event, Women at Work: Celebrating Women in Trades & Technical Careers.

We can’t wait for you to meet our students! They’ll be showcasing skills from:
💧 Water Quality
🏥 Health Sciences
🚗 Auto Collision
💈 Barbering
💆 Massage Therapy
❄️ HVAC
🛠️ Apprenticeships

Get your questions ready—our students have the answers!

We are proud to introduce Grace Malouff, a 2025 Water Quality Management graduate, as a panelist for our Women at Work event on April 29!

Grace’s journey is a prime example of why technical education is vital to our infrastructure. Moving away from a traditional college route, Grace sought a career that blended environmental science with hands-on operation. Today, she is a "D" Operator for the City of Englewood at South Platte Renew, ensuring the safety and health of the South Platte River.

The Power of Partnership: Grace was a recipient of a scholarship through Emily Griffith Foundation’s partnership with the Alliance of Professional Women. For Grace, the support of other women was just as transformative as the financial relief, helping her build the confidence to manage heavy machinery and complex chemical processes in a critical industry.

We look forward to welcoming our guests and partners as we celebrate the insights of trailblazers like Grace. Stay tuned to our channels for highlights and key takeaways from the discussion as we continue to champion the Emily Griffith Technical College students shaping Colorado’s future.

We are incredibly grateful to have CBS Colorado return as our Media Sponsor for our Women at Work event on April 29!

CBS Colorado is known for Covering Colorado First and for their deep and long-standing commitment to Colorado communities. By partnering with Emily Griffith Foundation, they are helping us celebrate the brilliance and drive of the women at Emily Griffith Technical College . These learners are honing specialized expertise and stepping into vital roles as the next generation of leaders in our local industries.

A huge thank you to the entire team at CBS Colorado for using your platform to elevate our mission and celebrate the power of career and technical education!

"It’s never too late to chase a dream." — Megan Robinson, LPN.

We are excited to welcome Megan Robinson to our Women at Work panel! As a mother working full-time, Megan needed more than just a classroom—she needed a community and financial support.

Through the help of grants that covered her tuition, Megan was able to graduate from the Practical Nursing program at Emily Griffith Technical College in 2024. Today, she provides essential care to students at a facility for autistic children, while setting an example of lifelong learning for her own kids.

Your contributions to Emily Griffith Foundation make stories like Megan’s possible. Join us on April 29 to celebrate the women who are building, healing, and leading in our community.

Get your tickets here: 🔗https://www.eventzilla.net/e/women-at-work-celebrating-women-in-trades-amp-technical-careers-2138675567