CNCC President Jennifer Barker Appoints Chief of Staff Charlee Chambers

Steamboat Springs —“Summer at Colorado Northwestern Community College is anything but quiet.”

That’s how CNCC President Jennifer D. Barker opens the college’s latest update, and if you look at the personnel changes rolling out this month, she’s right. While students are enjoying a break from classes, the administration is busy reshuffling its leadership team and tightening partnerships that will define the college’s next few years.

The biggest shift isn’t a new building or a curriculum overhaul. It’s who sits at the table when decisions get made.

Effective July 15, Barker has appointed Jennifer D. Barker as Chief Advancement Officer and Executive Director of the CNCC Foundation. The move is significant because it consolidates two critical functions: raising money and managing the foundation that distributes it. Barker brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education, finance, and operations to the role.

To hear them tell it, this isn’t just a promotion for Barker — it’s a strategic pivot. The college needs to strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, and community partners while expanding philanthropic support for its mission. Barker already knows the ins and outs of CNCC, having served as Controller, Senior Executive Assistant to the President, Interim Purchasing Coordinator, and most recently, Interim Director of Student Life.

The math holds up: putting someone who understands both the balance sheet and student services in charge of fundraising makes sense. During her transition, Barker will continue supporting Student Life until a successor is hired and through Fall orientation. That’s a practical detail that matters to current students waiting for answers on housing or advising.

Also joining the President’s Cabinet effective July 1 is Charlee Chambers, accepting a newly created position: Chief of Staff. Chambers, a Texas A&M graduate with a degree in Agricultural Communications and Journalism, will handle strategic communications, community engagement, and special projects.

Why create a new role? Barker’s announcement notes that the Chief of Staff will support the work of the President’s Office and Cabinet. In smaller institutions, these duties often get scattered across existing staff or buried in administrative emails. Creating a dedicated seat for strategic communications suggests the college wants to be more intentional about how it talks to the community — and how it listens.

Beyond the office politics, CNCC is doubling down on local economic ties. For the second consecutive year, the college partnered in the Colorado Space Business Roundtable Summer Fellowship. This work-based learning experience introduced students to careers in Colorado’s growing aerospace industry.

Tami Dorris of Rio Blanco BOCES coordinated the program, which included visits to industry leaders like Safran Defense & Space, United Launch Alliance, and Buckley Space Force Base. It’s a direct pipeline from Craig classrooms to high-tech jobs in the valley and beyond.

On June 28, CNCC hosted its Third Annual Spartan Scramble Golf Tournament in Craig. The college reports this was their largest and most successful event to date, generating increased support for student scholarships.

And then there’s the dinosaur. Or rather, Walter.

CNCC partnered with the Rangely Outdoor Museum and the Town of Rangely to celebrate Walter Day, unveiling a new Walter dinosaur statue. It’s a quirky detail, sure, but it underscores the college’s role as a community anchor, not just an academic institution.

The question is whether these personnel and partnership moves translate into tangible benefits for local students paying tuition or relying on scholarships. The appointments suggest a college trying to be more efficient and outward-facing. Whether that efficiency trickles down to lower costs or better resources depends on execution, but the structure is there.

Barker’s appointment of Chambers and herself into these expanded roles signals a college preparing for growth, not just maintenance. They’re building the engine while driving the car.