In the two-and-a-half years she has been vice chair of the Metropolitan State College Board of Trustees, Rice has come to appreciate one of Metro's key challenges—to be properly recognized, locally and nationally, for its quality education. She has become a tireless advocate for the college that serves more undergraduates than any other in the state.

"Metro has been very good responding to the business needs of the state," Rice observes, citing the college's accelerated nursing program, which was launched to help address the growing shortage of registered nurses. "Metro can provide an educated workforce for the economic development of the state."

Rice, who holds an undergraduate degree from Duke and a J.D. from the University of Denver, recently left her position as a litigator for the Denver firm McClure and Eggleston to spend more time with her children. However, she still brings a legal perspective to the board, not to mention four years experience serving as a trustee for the former State College system, a position that gave her a deep understanding of the economic and cultural contributions the four state colleges (Metro, Mesa, Adams and Western) make in their communities.

Since transitioning to Metro's board, Rice has learned more about the urban campus and the college's idiosyncratic student body, for whom she's developed an abiding respect. Though some students arrive with gaps in their learning due to life circumstances, she says, "they come with so much focus and dedication, it more than compensates. It's energizing to be around so many students committed to their education and doing something with their lives."

Likewise, she has come to see Metro's faculty as a critical community and institutional resource. "I meet faculty member after faculty member," she says, "and I am blown away by how good they are at what they do."

In spite of having so many critical pieces in place, Rice says, the next year must bring the college new stability in the form of permanent leadership—particularly the appointment of a president—and the development of an institutional strategic action plan.

"With solid leadership and a plan of attack," she says, "we can move forward to make Metro the absolute leader in the state."