PCC student wins inaugural Rollie Heath Award
Statewide honor recognizes benefits of concurrent enrollment
Photo credit: 360 Media
Pueblo Community College nursing student Deanna Molina-Nevarez is the first recipient of the Rollie Heath Award from the Colorado Community College System. She was honored at the 2025 CCCS Student Excellence Awards April 9.
The award recognizes a successful college student who earned concurrent enrollment credits in high school and demonstrates academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to community service. Heath is a former Colorado state senator and former chair of the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education. Throughout his career, he focused on building concurrent enrollment pathways for students.
"I am truly honored to be named the first recipient of the Rollie Heath Award. It is deeply humbling to be recognized in such a meaningful way,” said Molina-Nevarez. “This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible support I received from Pueblo Community College and the opportunities provided to me through concurrent enrollment. I am grateful to everyone who has helped me along this journey."
Molina-Nevarez, a graduate of Pueblo South High School and a first-generation college student, will graduate in May with her associate degree in nursing. She expects to complete her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2026, also at PCC.
In addition to taking classes full time, Molina-Nevarez holds two jobs and is a caregiver for her younger siblings. She is also active in PCC's Nursing Student Association. PCC has concurrent enrollment partnerships with school districts throughout its service area. The program offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credits at no cost, saving students and their families thousands of dollars on tuition.
