Mines President Paul C. Johnson and ACC President Stephanie J. Fujii, PhD swap mascots — Blaster the Burro for Summit the Puma — during a celebration of the new Mines Academy at ACC.
Engineering students at Arapahoe Community College (ACC) now have a direct pathway to a bachelor’s degree at Colorado School of Mines, thanks to a new partnership between the two institutions.
ACC President Stephanie J. Fujii, PhD, and Mines President Paul C. Johnson gathered with leaders from both campuses today at ACC to celebrate the launch of the new Mines Academy at ACC, which provides an innovative model of engineering education and a student-centered transfer option for ACC students to pursue bachelor’s degrees at Mines.
"We are thrilled to collaborate with Colorado School of Mines on this innovative partnership to provide ACC students with unprecedented academic opportunities to continue their STEM education at one of the world's foremost engineering and applied science institutions," stated ACC President Stephanie J. Fujii, PhD.
“With the launch of the Mines Academy at Arapahoe Community College, we’ve created a clear path for students from ACC to join our Oredigger community and ultimately earn a Mines degree,” said Paul C. Johnson, president of Colorado School of Mines. “I like the Mines Academy model because it provides students with the confidence, clarity and connection they need to reach and succeed at Mines and beyond in their professional careers. I look forward to a long and successful partnership with ACC and celebrating the accomplishments of our shared graduates.”
Through the Mines Academy, qualified ACC students complete the majority of Mines' core curriculum at ACC while pursuing their Associate of Engineering Science (AES) degree. Those credits directly transfer toward the bachelor’s degree program of their choice at Mines, paving the way for a smooth transition between the two schools.
In addition to guaranteed admission into Mines, students accepted into the Mines Academy at ACC will receive additional academic support at ACC and broad access to Mines’ student services through specialized workshops and tours. Students will be expected to meet regularly with their academic and transfer advisors, as well as maintain a certain GPA.
As future Orediggers, Mines Academy students will also be invited to participate in academic events and extracurricular activities on the Mines campus in Golden as they prepare for a successful transfer experience.
“In addition to providing a seamless and economical pathway to pursue a bachelor's degree from Mines, this collaboration also facilitates opportunities for ACC students to engage with academic peers in the Mines and engineering communities," said Jennifer Jones, ACC Natural Sciences Department Chair.
The Mines Academy at ACC will begin with a soft launch during the upcoming Spring 2026 semester. Please visit the Mines Academy at ACC homepage to complete the interest form and learn more about eligibility, requirements, and enrollment.
About Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society – all to create a more prosperous future.
