FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Angie Rivera-Malpiede Appointed to the Auraria Campus Board of Directors by the Governor Polis, Replacing Outgoing Member Tracy M. Huggins

Denver, CO — August 19, 2024 — The Auraria Campus is pleased to announce the appointment of Angie Rivera-Malpiede as the newest member of the Auraria Campus Board, following her selection by Colorado Governor Jared Polis. Rivera-Malpiede will be stepping into the role previously held by Tracy M. Huggins, who has served the Campus with distinction.

Angie Rivera-Malpiede brings a wealth of experience and dedication to community service, with a robust background in transportation, public relations, and advocacy. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Foundation for Sustainable Urban Communities and President/CEO of Northeast Transportation Connections (NETC), a nonprofit that provides transportation solutions to northeast Denver. In her roles, she has been instrumental in promoting sustainable transportation and ensuring that all community members, particularly those from diverse and low-income backgrounds, have access to safe, affordable mobility options.

Rivera-Malpiede’s extensive public service career includes significant leadership positions with Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD), where she played a key role in the development of transformative projects like the Denver Union Station and the University of Colorado A Line to Denver International Airport. Her efforts have been pivotal in expanding public transit access throughout the region, and she has championed programs that support low-income communities and promote transportation equity.

Rivera-Malpiede served as the first Hispanic woman to chair the Board of Directors. She also oversaw the hiring of RTD's General Manager Debra Johnson, the first woman and woman of color to hold the position in RTD's 52-year history. Rivera-Malpiede's efforts have been pivotal in expanding public transit access throughout the region, and she has championed programs that support low-income communities and promote transportation equity.

Her passion for community engagement and advocacy stems from her personal experiences growing up in a large, transit-dependent family. As a displaced Aurarian herself, Rivera-Malpiede’s background has shaped her understanding of connecting people and communities, and it continues to drive her work in ensuring that all individuals have a voice in shaping the policies that impact their lives.

“We are thrilled to welcome Angie Rivera-Malpiede to the Auraria Campus Board,” said Colleen Walker, Auraria Campus Chief Executive Officer. “Her deep knowledge of transportation and her longstanding commitment to equity and inclusion make her an invaluable addition to our team. We look forward to the insights and leadership she will bring as we continue to enhance the safety and accessibility of our campus for all students, faculty, and visitors.”

Rivera-Malpiede succeeds Tracy M. Huggins, who has been a dedicated and impactful member of the Auraria Campus Board. The board and the entire Auraria community extend their deepest gratitude to Huggins for her years of service and leadership.

As the Auraria Campus continues to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of its diverse community, Rivera-Malpiede’s appointment signals a strong commitment to ensuring that transportation and accessibility remain at the forefront of the campus’s strategic priorities.

About Northeast Transportation Connections (NETC):

Northeast Transportation Connections (NETC) is a nonprofit transportation management association (TMA) serving northeast Denver. NETC promotes the use of alternative transportation modes, such as walking, biking, carpooling, and public transit, to build sustainable neighborhoods and reduce traffic and pollution. With a focus on equity, NETC empowers diverse, low-income communities by providing mobility options that meet their specific needs and by advocating for their inclusion in transportation planning processes. NETC was recently recognized with the Outstanding TMA Award at the 2024 Association for Commuter Transportation conference.

About the Auraria Campus:

The Auraria Campus is a dynamic academic environment shared by three separate and distinct institutions of higher learning that are all designated Hispanic-serving institutions: the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the University of Colorado Denver The Auraria Campus is a separate state entity whose role is to provide and manage shared services, facilities, and property to support these prominent institutions in achieving their goals. The collective student population is nearly 38,000, with approximately 5,000 faculty and staff.

Media Contacts:

Devra Ashby
Marketing and Communications Director Auraria Campus
720-703-2577
Devra.Ashby@ahec.edu

AND

Jesse Livingston
Senior Director of Communications & Marketing Northeast Transportation Connections (NETC)
720-838-9210
JLivingston@NEtransportation.org

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