The EdUp Experience How to Build Workforce Pathways That Actually Lead to Jobs - with Dr. Stephanie Fujii, President, Arapaho Community College
Mar 11, 2026
Dr. Stephanie Fujii, president of a suburban community college focused on workforce partnerships and student success with 30+ years in community college leadership. She discusses suburban growth and enrollment resilience. She outlines aligning programs to livable-wage outcomes and building K–12 and industry pipelines. She critiques regulatory burdens on short-term Pell and highlights community college impact.
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Program Choices Must Link Directly To Livable Wages
- Arapahoe Community College focuses on program mix tied to livable-wage outcomes rather than just more programs.
- Stephanie Fujii uses data and business partnerships to ensure graduates can earn livable incomes in local industries like aerospace and health.
Partner With K–12 And Employers To Create Pipelines
- Build early K–12 partnerships to create seamless pipelines into career paths and employment.
- Fujii invites districts and employers to co-design programs so funding streams and curricula align across systems.
Provide Applied Baccalaureates To Reduce Student Cost And Disruption
- Offer community college baccalaureates in applied fields so students can stay local and avoid transfer stress and costs.
- Fujii cites degrees like dental hygiene and rad tech that let students advance careers without moving or incurring extra expenses.