Colorado Northwestern Community College has announced that Nicholas Cocozzella will be serving as the institution’s chief operating officer.

He began working in the new position at CNCC on Jan. 6.

Cocozzella, whose career in education began somewhat by accident, is a dedicated educator who seeks to create accessible pathways for students while also supporting educators to be the best that they can be.

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CNCC noted in a hiring announcement that Cocozzella’s leadership prioritizes “open communication and inclusivity” through “regular forums for feedback.” It also noted that his celebration of innovative approaches to education will lead to the institution’s continued success in the Yampa Valley. 

Cocozzella, who was born in Wheat Ridge, noted that his initial path did not point toward education. After earning a degree in technical communication from Metropolitan State University of Denver, he pursued a career in music, signing a record deal and spending six years as a singer-songwriter in pop music. 

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In 2014, his professional trajectory shifted dramatically when he accepted a role as a student adviser at the GOAL Academy High School in Craig.

“I guess education found me,” Cocozzella said. “I found that I especially loved working with communities that might be underserved or overlooked and under-resourced.”

His tenure at Goal Academy quickly turned into an administrative position, furthering his passion for supporting educators as well as students. He recognized the importance of empowering teachers and focused on providing resources that allowed them to inspire a deep level of dedication to their students. 

Cocozzella’s work with GOAL Academy eventually extended beyond Craig when he transitioned to Denver while his wife pursued a master’s degree. Even after moving to the Front Range, he maintained his dedication to expanding educational opportunities in a role that oversaw the regional management for GOAL. 

His career at CNCC began in 2019 when he accepted a role there as an academic adviser. Within a year, he rose to the position of director of concurrent enrollment.

“We worked with the local high schools in Hayden, Moffat County, Rangely and Meeker. From 2019 to 2024, we increased to about 22 high schools in the northwest region,” he said. “In addition, we also increased our offerings from 36 courses in 2019 to 93 in 2024.”

By strengthening high school partnerships and expanding course offerings, Cocozzella facilitated pathways for students to engage with college coursework earlier, which in turn reduced barriers to higher education while also easing financial burdens for students and their families.

As COO, Cocozzella envisions the college evolving alongside the region’s workforce needs.

“Education is changing, and CNCC needs to adapt,” he said. “I’m focused on aligning our programs with workforce demands, whether that’s hybrid learning, short-term certifications or strengthening transfer pathways.”

With concurrent enrollment gaining momentum nationwide, CNCC has seized the opportunity to offer high school students an early introduction to higher education. Cocozzella emphasized the importance of local industry partnerships in shaping future program development.

“When we look at local industry, we need to ask, ‘what are the opportunities for work that will pay a livable wage? How do we make education flexible?'” he said. “That’s where I’m looking.”

Cocozzella pointed to concurrent enrollment as being part of that flexibility as well as a major avenue of growth for CNCC, particularly through initiatives like P-TECH, T-REP and ASCENT, all of which are state-funded programs that allow students to continue their education tuition-free after high school graduation.

“There isn’t a barrier of entry with cost,” he said. “We also have the Moffat County tuition buy-down, which covers 50% of tuition for any Moffat County resident.”

In addition to concurrent enrollment, CNCC also aims to bolster its workforce development programs by refining curricula to align with local economic needs and trends. Such approaches allow the institution to provide sustainable career pathways for students while simultaneously benefiting the regional labor market.

As COO, Cocozzella’s responsibilities extend far beyond academics. In addition to overseeing operational efficiency and campus security, he is dedicated to strengthening CNCC’s presence within the community.

“My leadership is about service, culture and creating an environment where everybody feels like they can support our mission and thrive,” he said. “I take a collaborative approach in making the team feel heard and bringing forward new ideas and issues to our leadership team.”

This approach to leadership is evident in his efforts to engage with the community by attending local events and maintaining strong relationships with the region’s high school leadership.

“We have a smaller team here at the Craig campus,” he explained. “That means we’re kind of like a family— everybody is invested in our students. We know them personally, and we feel very lucky to have those relationships.”

Cocozzella and his wife, who grew up in Craig, have firmly planted their roots in the community. Their household, which he said is shared with their dogs, chickens and cats, reflects their commitment to the area’s way of life.

“We have no plans to go anywhere,” he said. “I fell in love with Craig, the lifestyle, the community and the way it wraps around its students. I want to stay here as long as I can.”

That passion for Craig is reflected in his vision that CNCC is more than just an educational institution. He sees the college as an anchor for the region that nurtures the community just as the community nurtures it in return.

“I just believe in education,” he said. “I believe that it opens doors, strengthens communities, and equips people for a changing world. We are a resource, and we are a partner, and we believe in our community.”