Western Colorado University staff contacted around 200 former Western students who met the requirements the Colorado Re-Engaged (CORE) Initiative, which allows four-year colleges to offer associate degrees to students who had earned at least 70 credit hours in a baccalaureate program. Of those, 38 accepted their degree in December 2024.

“[This program] is a great opportunity for folks like myself, who have put in many hours of study and learning to still be rewarded with a diploma,” Alana White, who received an Associate of General Studies (AGS) degree through the program, said. “This is a great reminder that all education matters.” 

According to Meagan Tracey, Western’s Reengagement and Transfer Strategist, just hearing from Western staff about the CORE Initiative and the opportunity to receive an AGS degree reminded many students of their educational goals and brought them back into the fold. 

“We actually had some students who were so excited about the opportunity, they didn’t opt-in to receive their AGS,” Tracey said, “they just reenrolled at Western to finish their bachelor’s degree.”