LIBERAL, KANSAS, Dec. 4, 2025 — Seward County Community College (SCCC) is proud to announce the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with three fellow Western Kansas institutions: Colby Community College (CCC), Dodge City Community College (DCCC), and Garden City Community College (GCCC). The agreement was officially signed on December 4, 2025, on GCCC’s campus, marking a historic moment for regional collaboration in higher education.
The Western Kansas Consortium MOA strengthens partnerships among the four colleges and creates new opportunities to expand educational access, support workforce development, and maximize resources for students and communities across Western Kansas and the state.
“This is a game-changer for conversation about changes in higher ed in our part of the state,” said SCCC President Brad Bennett. “Each of the four colleges in this consortium is committed to keeping our institutions strong, locally focused and funded, and relevant for the people in our communities and region. This agreement will do more than strengthen each one: it also opens possibilities for growth. It’s a path to the future.”
For more than a century, the community colleges of Western Kansas have each played a vital role in serving students and supporting local communities. Together, GCCC (106 years), DCCC (90 years), CCC (61 years), and SCCC (58 years) bring a combined legacy of dedication to accessible, high-quality education. The agreement reflects a shared belief that these institutions can better serve students and communities when they work together rather than independently.
The MOA establishes a framework for the four colleges to explore collaborative opportunities when appropriate and feasible. Areas for potential partnership include sharing faculty and institutional resources, coordinating purchasing efforts, sharing academic programs and specialized equipment, and developing additional creative initiatives that benefit all institutions and the region.
GCCC President Dr. Ryan Ruda emphasized the transformative potential of the agreement, saying, “Today marks a bold step forward for Western Kansas. By signing this collaborative agreement, our four institutions are demonstrating the power of partnership and a shared commitment to strengthening education and workforce development across the region. This initiative reflects a forward-thinking approach that embraces creative collaboration, cost-sharing, and resource optimization to better serve students and communities.”
Presidents from GCCC and SCCC noted that collaboration is already underway: “We are already seeing the impact, with SCCC’s CDL program now offered at Garden City and GCCC’s Registered Medical Assistant program expanding into Liberal,” said Ruda. “These examples reflect the innovative spirit behind this agreement. Western Kansas community colleges are united in the belief that we can accomplish more together. This partnership shows our region, state, and nation that collaboration is not only possible, but essential for the future of higher education.”
By strengthening relationships and building new pathways to share expertise, infrastructure, and programming, the four colleges aim to enhance the long-term vitality of Western Kansas. The agreement positions the region as a leader in collaborative, efficient approaches to serving students and supporting local industries.