History of the College
Pikes Peak State College was established by a legislative act in 1968 and was then called El Paso Community College. When the College opened its doors in September 1969, more than 800 students attended classes in rented buildings in Old Colorado City on the west side of town. Enrollment grew rapidly, and the need for permanent facilities soon became apparent. The full-service Centennial Campus was built at the south end of Colorado Springs in 1978. In that same year, the name of the College was officially changed to Pikes Peak Community College.
The Pikes Peak Region has experienced significant population growth since 1978, driving the community need for expanded educational services. This demand resulted in the opening of the Downtown Campus in central Colorado Springs in 1986 and the Rampart Range Campus in the north end of the city in 1998.
In April of 2022, Gov. Polis signed a bill officially changing the name of the institution to Pikes Peak State College. The new name reflected an expansion into four-year degrees and a more aspirational posture.
Today, PPSC has grown and expanded to become the largest postsecondary educational institution in Colorado Springs and offers the most widely accessible and affordable education in the region. PPSC offers more than 200 certificate and degree programs in transfer liberal arts and sciences areas and career and technical education.
Currently, Pikes Peak State College helps 17,000 to 18,000 people each year begin their education, advance their careers, and enrich their lives
Vision Statement
Students succeed at Pikes Peak State College.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide high quality educational opportunities to all, with a focus on student success and community needs, including:
- Occupational programs, including certificates, associate and bachelor degrees, for youth and adults in career and technical fields,
- Two-year transfer educational programs to qualify students for admission to the junior year at other colleges and universities, and
- A broad range of personal, career, and technical education for adults.
Values
We value a community built on learning, mutual respect, and diversity. We demonstrate these values in the following ways:
- Teaching and Learning: Our primary commitment is to student learning, success, and achievement, while promoting open and universal access to an affordable education and affirming the importance of our facilities and learning environments.
- Mutual Respect and Accountability: Because people are our greatest resource, we foster a culture rooted in civility, mutual trust, and support, and hold ourselves accountable for our decisions and actions.
- Community and Diversity: We engage and support our community while embracing diversity, as it enriches lives and educational experiences.
Required Disclosures
The College is required to disclose, on a yearly basis, certain types of information to all prospective and current students. These items include:
Faculty and Instructor Resource Guide
The Faculty and Instructor Resource Guide contains pertinent information affecting faculty members, current through the date of its issuance. To the extent that any provision of the Handbook is inconsistent with State or Federal law, State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education Policies (BPs) or Colorado Community College System President’s Procedures (SPs), the law, BPs and SPs shall supersede and control. BPs and SPs are subject to change throughout the year and are effective immediately upon adoption by the Board or System President, respectively. Faculty members are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the BPs, SPs as well as College directives, including but not limited to the contents of the Resource Guide.
To access BPs and SPs, see www.cccs.edu/about-cccs/stateboard/ policies-procedures/.
Nothing in the Resource Guide is intended to create (nor shall be construed as creating) an express or implied contract or to guarantee employment for any term or to promise that any specific process, procedures, or practice will be followed or benefit provided by the College. The College reserves the right to modify, change, delete or add to the information in the Resource Guide as it deems appropriate.
PPSC All Student Handbook
The PPSC All Student Handbook, https://www.pikespeak.edu/student-support/ppsc-student-handbook/, contains pertinent information affecting students, current through the date of its issuance. To the extent that any provision of the Handbook is inconsistent with State or Federal law, State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education Policies (BPs) or Colorado Community College System President’s Procedures (SP’s), the law, BPs and SPs shall supersede and control. BPs and SPs are subject to change throughout the year and are effective immediately upon adoption by the Board or System President, respectively. Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the BPs, SPs as well as College directives, including but not limited to the contents of the Handbook.
To access BPs and SPs, see www.cccs.edu/about-cccs/stateboard/policies-procedures/.
Nothing in the Handbook is intended to create (nor shall be construed as creating) an express or implied contract or to guarantee for any term or to promise that any specific process, procedures, or practice will be followed, or benefit provided by the College. The College reserves the right to modify, change, delete or add to the information in the Handbook as it deems appropriate.
Planning for a Bachelor’s Degree/Transfer Programs
Many students begin their college career at Pikes Peak State College with the eventual goal of completing a four-year, baccalaureate degree (bachelor’s degree). Students may complete their associate degrees, or the first two years of four-year bachelor’s degrees, at Pikes Peak State College and then transfer to four-year public or private institutions by following available transfer guides. Many bachelor’s degrees may be obtained by completing an additional approximately 60 credit hours at a four-year college or university (an additional two years, at full-time status, beyond obtaining PPSC’s associate degrees).
Statewide transfer agreements between most Colorado public four-year colleges and universities and the Colorado Community College system allow students seamless transfer. Several Colorado colleges and universities provide guaranteed admission, special scholarships, and reduced application fees or special privileges for Colorado Community College System associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) graduates. In addition, Pikes Peak State College has special agreements with a variety of private in-state and out-of-state institutions. Some Associate of General Studies (AGS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees also have pathways toward obtaining bachelor’s degrees. Students should consult with their faculty advisors during their first semester or as early as possible for detailed information about transfer programs. PPSC’s transfer web pages provide additional information.
Pikes Peak State College also offers a growing number of bachelor’s degrees, allowing students to complete full bachelor’s degrees without having to transfer. View all degree and certificate options at https://www.pikespeak.edu/programs/.
Career and Technical Education Programs
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs can help students get a job, change careers, or improve current job skills. The career and technical programs at Pikes Peak State College teach the skills needed to work in a business, technical, industrial, service, or health career. Our programs offer curriculum and facilities that simulate the workplace. Depending on the program and the level of training, students may choose a bachelor’s of applied science degree, an associate degree, or a certificate.
All CTE programs offered at Pikes Peak State College are approved by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education. All CTE faculty and instructors possess occupational experience and a CTE credential to teach in their area of expertise. Enrollment in Career Start is completed at the high school. Contact your high school counselor or call 719-502-3111 for more information.
Locations and Facilities
To make a college education accessible and convenient to everyone, Pikes Peak State College has established four full-service campuses in Colorado Springs. The Centennial, Downtown, Rampart Range, and Center for Healthcare Education and Simulation Campuses provide educational services to the south, central, north, and northeast areas of the city.
Each full-service campus is a one-stop center for students which includes a Student Services Center, providing admissions, financial aid, records, and cashier services. Services include a bookstore, library services, student life and student government offices. Additionally, each campus provides Student Support Services, including advising and testing, tutoring services, career services, and services for students with disabilities. Public bus service reaches the Downtown, Rampart Range, and Centennial campuses from all parts of the city.
Centennial Campus
5675 South Academy Boulevard
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
719-502-2000, 800-456-6847
719-358-2453 [video phone for hearing impaired]
The Centennial Campus is a well-equipped facility located in southern Colorado Springs. Transfer, career, and technical programs are offered. The full-service campus offers a complete range of student services, including admissions, academic advising, bookstore, financial aid, records, testing, Military and Veterans Programs, tutoring, Accessability Services, TRIO Student Support Services and career services.
The Centennial Campus provides a library, theatre, lecture halls, videoconference center, computer laboratories, language and culture lab, child development center, meeting and conference rooms, and science, career and technical laboratories. Sports and recreation facilities include a gymnasium, fitness center, tennis courts, soccer field and running track. The Campus Center houses the Student Life Office, the Student Government Association, the Grove, meeting rooms and more.
Convenient parking is available to students, employees, and visitors in lots C, D, and E. Accessible parking is reserved near most building entrances, including special spaces for wheelchair access. Parking Lot A is reserved for ADA parking. Public bus service comes to the Centennial Campus from all parts of the city. The Centennial Campus is fully accessible to persons with disabilities, including those with wheelchairs. Special assistance is available through the Accessibility Services by calling 719-502-3333.
Downtown Campus
100 West Pikes Peak Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
The Downtown Campus of PPSC has a convenient, central location in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs. It is located minutes away from the Bijou Exit (142) off I-25. The Downtown Campus is a full-service facility, providing admissions, academic advising, bookstore, cashier, career services, financial aid, records, registration, testing, tutoring, Acessability Services, TRIO Student Support Services, campus life and activities, and other services for students. The Downtown Campus includes art and dance studios, an art gallery, a performance area, and music practice studios.
The Downtown Campus offers courses leading to Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of General Studies, and some Associate of Applied Science degrees. The Interior Design, Architecture, Music, and Dance Programs make their home at the Downtown Campus. Courses are conveniently scheduled from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The Gallery at the Downtown Campus is a free, public art gallery that features works in all media created primarily by artists in the Pikes Peak Region. The Gallery places a strong emphasis on presenting multicultural and multimedia exhibits. Opening receptions are held for each exhibit during which music, dance, or poetry readings frequently enhance the themes of the exhibits.
Other events are open to the public at a nominal admission charge.
Convenient parking is available during class hours on the third level (P3) in the Palmer Center Garage. The garage’s entrance is just across the street from the Downtown Campus beneath the Antlers Hilton Hotel. Campus users validate parking on campus in the Student Commons area (first floor, north building). Parking is also available at metered spaces on the street.
Rampart Range Campus
2070 Interquest Pkwy
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
The Rampart Range Campus is conveniently located in northern Colorado Springs. The campus provides easy access via the InterQuest Parkway Exit (153) off I-25.
A full array of support services and programs is available to students, including admissions, bookstore, career services, cashier, academic advising, Accessibility Services, TRIO Student Support Services, instructional support, financial aid, food services, library, Military and Veterans Programs, placement testing, records, student government, child development center, and campus life and activities.
The Rampart Range Campus offers courses leading to Bachelor of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of General Studies, and Associate of Applied Science degrees.
The Campus offers the latest in advanced learning technology. Many classrooms are equipped with student and faculty computers, multimedia presentation capabilities, computerized projection units, and digitized white boards. Computerized lab equipment, and a fiber optic network are part of the instructional technology offered at this campus.
Convenient parking is available at Rampart Range Campus. The Rampart Range Campus is a fully accessible facility. Accessible parking is reserved near most building entrances, including special spaces for wheelchair access.
Come See Us
We welcome visitors to Pikes Peak State College, and we are happy to show prospective students around our campuses. To arrange for a tour of any of our locations, call us at 719-540-7722 or toll free at 866-411-7722.
Use of College Facilities
Outside groups who want to use one of our campuses should contact Events Management at Centennial Campus at 719-502-2333 or go to www.pikespeak.edu/use-of-facilities for specifics about what is required and costs.
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