New Pueblo Schools Leaders Share Commitment To Student Success

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Pueblo, CO’s schools, colleges and universities shine as cornerstones of the community and the foundation for the region’s workforce development and economic growth. In 2024, Pueblo welcomed two new leaders. Dr. Barbara Kimzey, superintendent of Pueblo School District 60, and Dr. Chato Hazelbaker, president of Pueblo Community College (PCC), share a commitment to ensuring Pueblo’s educational institutions prepare students for personal and professional success. 

Empowering Through Education

Pueblo Community College President Dr. Chato Hazelbaker brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, most recently as president of Northland Pioneer College in Arizona. As the school’s new leader, Hazelbaker is laser-focused on aligning PCC’s programs with the needs of students and the local community. 

“My personal mission is to empower living-wage jobs to improve the community. That is exactly what PCC is built to do, and I think the economic environment in Pueblo and the region is well positioned to support that work,” Hazelbaker says. “PCC is at the heart of Pueblo and the region, and I don’t think there is one organization or industry in town that is not somehow connected to PCC.” 

Hazelbaker says one way to support his mission is to ensure students have all they need to succeed academically, personally and financially. 

“To help students succeed in these programs, we need to not only help them get the education and skills they need, but we also need to help them with things like the appropriate clothing for an interview or a snack during the day when they can’t afford a meal,” he says. “I plan to support student success by asking students what they need and then evaluating how effectively we are meeting those needs.” 

Accessibility and affordability are key pillars of Hazelbaker’s strategy. Last year, PCC awarded more than $1 million in scholarships and expanded its short-term certificate programs. 

These eight- to 10-week courses are designed to quickly prepare students for living-wage jobs. The college’s robust concurrent enrollment program allows high school students to earn college credit at little or no cost, providing an early start to their career journeys. 

“What I constantly hear about is the care we show for each and every student in helping them achieve their life goals,” he says. “Whether it’s an older student looking to forge a path in cybersecurity or a 16-year-old earning college credit in high school, our faculty and staff work hard to find out what the student wants and surround them with the support they need.” 

Building Bridges in Schools

For Dr. Barbara Kimzey — who was last in Virginia, but hails from Houston — becoming the superintendent of Pueblo School District 60 was a calling inspired by the area’s diversity, rich history and boundless potential. 

“Pueblo has so much potential, and our school district can help move our community forward by preparing our scholars to become the leaders our community will need,” she says. “I am excited to build upon the strengths in our district and continue to forge strong partnerships with community leaders and organizations in support of our young people.” 

At the heart of her vision for the district is acommitment not only to creating a positive, safe and nurturing environment for students but also to strengthening the bond between the school district and the community it serves. 

“My priority remains rallying our community in supporting our scholars in their daily attendance and then in providing our scholars with modeling from mentors in our community,” Superintendent Kimzey says. “Together, we can help our scholars focus upon building their futures, and at the same time, building the Pueblo community into an industrial and creative center for Southern Colorado. I truly believe that together we can do anything in support of our scholars, their families and our community.” 

One key initiative under her leadership involves turning schools into community hubs. Kimzey says this approach can help connect schools with resources and services that benefit the entire community. 

“We have such a strong legacy of community strength and resilience, along with our diversity and our entrepreneurial spirit, that provides our students with such a sense of service and love for our community,” she says. “I have lived in many places, and this community’s strong sense of pride and commitment to each other is second to none, in my experience.”