Emily Griffith Foundation

From preschool education to computer networking, Daniella Carlos is proving it’s never too late to log into a new career path! With an innate aptitude for technology and a family legacy at Emily Griffith Technical College, where her grandfather has taught for more than two decades, Daniella decided to make a major professional pivot. Thanks to flexible class scheduling and vital financial support, she has been able to balance work and school as she prepares to cross the graduation stage this July and head straight into the IT field. She encourages people to donate to Emily Griffith Foundation: “It enables and gives hope and opportunity to people like me who are just getting started and are truly grateful for the assistance,” Daniella shares.

Head to our website to read Daniella’s full story and see how donor funding helps students fast-track their dreams: https://www.egfoundation.org/student-highlights

Today, June 18, marks a somber anniversary for the Emily Griffith community. On this day in 1947, our pioneering founder and her sister, Florence, tragically lost their lives, a loss that shook Colorado and remains an unsolved chapter in our history.

As caretakers of Emily's dream, we choose to meet this day not by focusing on how her life ended, but by honoring how beautifully she lived. Nearly 110 years ago, Emily declared that her school would be "for all who wish to learn." Decades later, that promise remains unbroken.

Every scholarship awarded, every student supported, and every barrier broken through our work at Emily Griffith Foundation is a living testament to Emily and Florence. Their lives were cut short, but the impact of their legacy is timeless.

Today, we remember them with gratitude.

Board Spotlight: Nelson Rodriguez

We’re proud to spotlight one of our newest board members, Nelson Rodriguez. Nelson is a thoughtful leader, a passionate community advocate, and someone who knows first-hand how access to education can change everything. We’re incredibly lucky to have him helping to guide our work at Emily Griffith Foundation!

Nelson’s full-time role is the Manager of Youth Career Pathways for the Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation at Denver International Airport. He stepped into this role with a clear vision of community service. “I joined the [Emily Griffith Foundation] board of directors to serve my community and make meaningful impact. I come from the education sector and spent over a decade serving in various leadership roles in higher education and K-12 settings. I've seen first-hand how education transforms lives and communities. Emily Griffith Foundation contributes to the success of Emily Griffith Technical College by providing critical funding for students, faculty, staff, and programs, and I'm honored to support this work.”

The Foundation’s mission hits close to home for him. “Emily Griffith Foundation makes pathways to education and workforce possible for all who wish to learn. As a son of immigrants, and a first-generation student, I benefited from financial assistance and support services that allowed me to obtain a post-secondary education. I appreciate the Foundation's commitment to removing barriers and providing the support needed for students to thrive and reach their full potential.”

His drive to give back stems from his own journey and a desire to clear the path for the next generation. “I believe in investing in people and programs. I also recognize that my own education and career journey has been supported by many individuals and organizations, and I'm motivated to do the same for others.”

Nelson believes the Foundation is essential to the community because it protects a vital local legacy. “The Foundation contributes to the legacy of the College, which has existed for over a century as a leading model for access and opportunity. As a close funding partner to the College, the Foundation provides a direct opportunity for individuals and organizations to invest in our local workforce.”

For anyone thinking about supporting or getting involved, Nelson’s invitation highlights the direct, life-changing outcomes of the Foundation's work. “Your support makes a real difference for students who are eager to learn and prepare for future careers. The partnership between the Foundation and College allows students to earn certificates, complete job training, and access other educational opportunities, while remaining debt-free. It's a prime example of community impact.”

We’re grateful for Nelson's leadership, his unique expertise, and the heart he brings to this work every day! Welcome to the team, Nelson!

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sarah Heath as the inaugural President of Emily Griffith Technical College! We are incredibly excited about the future of Emily Griffith under Dr. Heath's leadership. Her extensive experience, visionary approach, and deep commitment to student success will be tremendous assets as we continue to strengthen the College's impact and build an even more dynamic partnership between the Foundation and College.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Sarah Heath as the incoming, inaugural President of Emily Griffith Technical College! 💚 👏 As Vice Chancellor of the Colorado Community College System and Colorado State Director for Career and Technical Education, Dr. Heath brings extensive experience to champion the vision of Emily Griffith to expand access for all who wish to learn. Her career has been dedicated to stewarding academic policy, building high-performing industry-aligned institutions, and advancing equity. Dr. Heath steps into this role with a profound reverence for our founder's legacy and a clear vision for how we can continue to strengthen Colorado’s workforce. In accepting the position, Dr. Heath shared her commitment to our community:

"To be entrusted as the first President of Emily Griffith Technical College is one of the greatest honors of my professional life. Emily Griffith believed deeply that education could transform lives and that opportunity should be available to all who wish to learn. Her vision opened doors for generations of Coloradans, and I am humbled by the opportunity to carry that vision forward.”

Dr. Heath will officially begin her role on July 27, 2026, and we are excited to share this announcement as we build the next chapter of Emily Griffith’s legacy. 🚀

From graduating high school two years early to launching her own home care business, Nina Marie Crihfield’s journey in healthcare has always been driven by purpose.

Now a Practical Nursing student at Emily Griffith Technical College, Nina balances the heavy demands of nursing school with homeownership and family caregiving. When the financial and emotional challenges of managing daily life expenses and caring for her father piled up, institutional and donor-supported financial aid stepped in to help her maintain her momentum.

"Emily Griffith stepped in during moments when I truly needed support the most," Nina shares. "Because of the generosity and opportunities I have received, I have been able to stay focused on my education, continue working toward becoming a nurse, and keep building a future that I have worked so hard for."

With graduation on the horizon in December 2026, Nina is ready to continue providing deeply compassionate care to those who need it most. 💙

👉 Read Nina’s full, inspiring story and learn how donor support changes lives on our website: https://www.egfoundation.org/nina-marie-crihfield

Money is available!🤑💸

For help with FAFSA or any other financial aid and scholarship questions, please call 720-423-4700 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.

Scholarships at Emily Griffith Technical College: https://www.emilygriffith.edu/scholarships-opportunities/

We are so excited that Emily Griffith Technical College is launching an Entrepreneurship Studies program this fall! So many of our incredible students and alumni have dreams of launching their own businesses, and this program is built specifically to turn those goals into reality.

The future of workforce education is here! Last month Emily Griffith Technical College officially launched its brand-new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program specifically designed for apprentices.

This game-changing pathway allows students to earn a college degree, increase their earning potential, and advance their careers, all while continuing their vital, hands-on work in the trades.

An innovation of this scale doesn't happen without dedicated community backing. Emily Griffith Foundation has been hard at work fundraising to support the development and rollout of this groundbreaking program. Thank you to our amazing donors and partners for supporting student success and strengthening the Colorado workforce!

👇 Watch the recent CBS Colorado segment to learn how this program is changing lives:

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/video/emily-griffith-technical-college-gets-ready-to-graduate-its-first-students-with-associate-degrees/

Emily Griffith Technical College gets ready to graduate its first students with associate degrees Emily Griffith Technical College is changing the landscape of higher education across Colorado.