Dr. Ryan Ross is on a journey to battle education inequity in Colorado.

“I want everyone to have the opportunity to change his or her stars in life,” he said.

Ross isn’t a stranger to forging a better future. As a teenager in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, he took the city bus over 15 miles a day for weeks in a row to petition for a seat at a high school he believed would provide him with a better chance for higher education.

Two degrees and a doctorate later, Ross finds himself back on campus, only this time as dean of Student Development and Retention at the Community College of Denver (CCD). In this role, Ross ensures students have the support services they need to be successful and complete their degrees or certificates.

“I believe that you P.I.C.K. the type of leader you want to be every day. A good leader is PASSIONATE, filled with INTEGRITY, COURAGEOUS, a strong communicator and KNOWLEDGEABLE,” Ross said, especially about the past and the context of the community you serve. These attributes have aided him in uniting over 80 diverse staff members and nine departments on the CCD campus.

Ross’ passion has also helped to increase awareness of the barriers facing low-income students and to garner public and private support for college access programs.

“The best way for me to talk to people about getting an education is to get off campus and into the community,” he said. “Whether I’m at the barbershop or Walmart, you’ll find me helping people gain access to the campus and an education.”

Over the years, Ross has championed, inspired and implemented programs through the Office of Student Development and Retention. These programs include TRIO Educational opportunity center, TRIO Student Support Services, Transfer Success Center (TSC), Resource Center, Urban Male Initiative program and Women Intentional about Success and Excellence — all of which assist students with mentoring, tutoring and financial wellness.

It’s not just the work Ross does on campus that inspires his colleagues and enhances the community, but also his work with the Fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi, of which he has been a member since March 2000. Through Kappa Alpha Psi, Ross works with young men grades six to 12, helping them prepare for college. As a mentor to these young men, Ross focuses on imparting skills to become productive, positive citizens committed to achievement and servant leadership.

“Having mentors for me was everything,” Ross said. “People believed in me before I believed in myself. Being able to be a mentor now is so rewarding and creates a positive cycle that encourages the spreading of leadership.”

Meet all three finalists here.

 

Dr. Ryan Ross in a SNAPSHOT

 Significant Accomplishments:

  • Established annual CCD MLK Jr. and Education and Allied Heath scholarships
  • Secured the Federal TRIO Student Support Services Grant for CCD (2010, 2015) providing $1.5 million over a five-year cycle
  • Secured the Federal Trio Educational Opportunity Center Grant for CCD in 2011, providing $3.5 million over a five-year cycle.
  • Secured the Boundless Opportunity Grants from the Daniels Fund for CCD, serving youth offenders and non-traditional students (2011, 2013, 2015)

Awards, Accolades & Community Involvement:

  • Race and Justice Keynote Speaker for Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (2015)
  • Graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s Leadership Denver program (2014)
  • COBiz Magazine Gen XYZ 25 Most Influential Young Professionals Honoree (2014)
  • Denver Mayor Diversity Award (2013)
  • Colorado Martin Luther King Commission, Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award (2013)
  • The Denver Foundation, Swanee Hunt Individual Leadership Award (2013)
  • Denver Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, President (2011-2013)
  • Community College of Denver Hispanic Serving Institution Committee, Chair
  • CCD Student Development Leadership Team, Chair
  • CCD Student Learning Services Building Committee, Member
  • Mentor for Colorado youth through Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and through community-based phone calls and outreach from parents looking for support for their young men
  • Mentor for emerging professional leaders through the Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado
  • Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado, president

Favorite Place in Colorado:

  • The Five Points Neighborhood