Dr. Angie Paccione, a steadfast proponent of Colorado’s higher education sector, will be exiting her role as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education at the commencement of the new year, giving closure to a significant chapter of her career. As obtained by the Colorado Governor's Office, Governor Jared Polis lauded Dr. Paccione for her contributions, highlighting advancements in the accessibility and affordability of higher education under her guidance. According to Dr. Paccione in the statement, her tenure was driven by a desire to unleash every student’s potential, acknowledging the collaborative efforts that amplified opportunities for learners across the state.
Dr. Paccione's impact, moving on from her position on January 9, 2026, is punctuated by the pioneering push for educational reform in Colorado. Governor Polis is expected to announce her successor by the said date, ensuring the continuity of leadership needed to further the higher education ambitions for the state. As the second-longest-serving executive director, her initiatives included spearheading the first-in-the-nation policy allowing four-year institutions to award associate degrees after 70 credits were completed. The efforts were geared toward providing tangible benefits and improving the potential earnings for a diverse array of students.
The strides made in closing equity gaps were another cornerstone of Paccione's tenure. Through her work, Colorado also saw the debut of full scholarships specifically for youth who have been in foster care and high school students facing homelessness. These programs represent the concrete steps taken to bolster the state's resolve in asserting that educational opportunity is a right, not a privilege, and should be accessible to all residents.
Looking back at her more than 27 years in education, Dr. Paccione, having taught and coached at Smoky Hill High School, then earning a Ph.D. and serving on the faculty of Colorado State University, carried lessons from the classroom to the capstone of her administrative career. Her research delving into diversity and inclusion within education echoed through initiatives during her tenure. Her commitment to the teacher education field and its connection to issues of diversity was staked by findings published by Teachers' College Press. These findings, having been cited in over 75 academic papers, grounded her vision laid out for Colorado's higher education landscape.
