SCCC/ATS Trustees Meet

Seward County Community College/Area Technical School Trustees John Engel, Rick Brenneman, and Marvin Chance, Jr., raised their hands and solemnly swore to support the U.S., Kansas state, and to “faithfully discharge the duties of SCCC/ATS Board of Trustees” as the board’s regular meeting began. The three trustees earned voter approval in the 2015 spring election and began another year of service with the Monday meeting.

Acting president Dennis Sander presented Engel with a plaque acknowledging his 15 years of service to the college.

“It’s been good,” Engel said, noting that he is excited about the year to come and the college’s future.

The board moved quickly through a light agenda, starting with the introduction of new staff. Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Todd Carter, introduced Director of Research and Assessment Adam Borth, who will assume Carter’s former duties in the research office.

“We’ve known each other through assessment and accreditation, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to have him here,” Carter said. “He’s already completed a report on his first day of work."

Dean of Student Services Celeste Donovan introduced DeAudra Brown, the assistant women’s basketball coach, on behalf of Athletic Director Galen McSpadden.

“Galen says he expects great things from DeAudra,” Donovan said. “He really praised her authenticity. We’ve heard great comments, and she is exactly what she projects.”

Head Tennis Coach Greg Owen introduced his assistant coach, Chase Ashley.

“I’ve known him my entire life, and he’s going to be a great asset to the tennis program and the Seward family,” Owen said. “Not very often do you get to work with someone you know. We’re excited to take the program to another level.”

Sander also introduced Kansas Small Business Development administrators, Regional Director Cheryl Schmale, and Liberal native and Associate Regional Director Mike O’Kane.

The board heard a report from the new director of the EduKan program, Dr. Adam John. During his first two months on the job, John said, “I’ve been incredibly impressed with the EduKan staff and the commitment the colleges have shown to the consortium.”

A six-college joint venture to provide online education courses, EduKan will change its Learning Management System (LMS) this year. Rather than using eCollege, EduKan will now operate through the Canvas platform.

“One nice thing about this is that there’s no additional charge for the way you choose to use Canvas for your own, Seward Online classes,” John said. “We have other developments in the works — I could go on and on, but the bottom line is that we’re going to grow, and every year when I come to bring your dividend check, it’s going to get bigger.”

In other business:

Dean Carter reported that 10-month faculty and staff have returned to work, with nine-month faculty and staff scheduled to return Aug. 11. Most of the open instructional positions have been filled, with three remaining — truck driving, diesel technology and nursing. The college’s Perkins Grant, which helps fund updates and professional development efforts in the career and technical services divisions, increased for 2016.

“We received $84,000 this year,” he said. “It’s a significant amount.” Carter thanked Title V Director Steve Weins, Industrial Technology Division Chair Larry McLemore and Agriculture, Business, and Personal Services Division Chair Kim Zant for completing a year-end report submitted to the Perkins Grant.

Dean Donovan reported that all student services staff positions are filled, and schedules are ready for Resident Assistant and Presidential Scholars training sessions. Additionally, the college’s Student Support Services grant, which funds the TRiO center and programs, was approved for five more years.

Dean Sander reported that the Agriculture representative has scheduled a visit to SCCC/ATS at the request of a production entity that wants to explore the possibility of opening a facility in Seward County.

“They are interested in our Food Science and Safety program,” Sander said, “so they will be conducting a site visit.”

The next regular Board of Trustees meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14, in the board room in the Hobble Academic Building.