Onyx Degataga says Colorado Mountain College has been instrumental in her college journey. CMC is a dual mission college. Unlike most other colleges, dual mission institutions offer many kinds of programs, from short-term credentials to master’s programs.

Experts say the dual mission model meets students where they are, giving them momentum to complete their programs by embedding academic attainment throughout the learning process.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down race-conscious admissions last month, calling the practice unconstitutional. On the day of the opinion, the U.S. Department of Education announced plans to share resources for colleges to operate within the new legal limits. The White House said the guidance would be released within 45 days of the June 29 decision.

While college leaders and other stakeholders wait for this additional guidance, questions abound. Here are some queries and answers for this moment in limbo.

Colorado residents interested in early childhood and five other high-demand careers can get training for free starting this fall at more than a dozen community colleges around the state. 

It’s part of a new $40 million state program called "Career Advance Colorado" that’s intended to mint thousands of workers in shortage areas. Besides early childhood education, the effort will cover tuition, course materials, and fees for up to two years of training for students studying education, construction, law enforcement, nursing, and fire and forestry.