Dear Blue Devils,
As the fall semester quickly races by, I am hearing how fast it is moving for everyone across the College, as it is seeming to just disappear from here. That being the case, I am always encouraged and enthusiastic to hear about the many incredible activities you are doing to help promote our students’ success!
While impossible to mention them all, here are just a few. Thanks go out to Darren Elliot and members of the KCKCC Debate Team for recently hosting a regional tournament that brought 115 high school teams and over 230 high school students from as far away as Louisiana to compete at KCKCC! Also appreciate the hard work and efforts of Volleyball Coaches Ballou, Lutgen and Bruno, Women’s Soccer Coaches Uhlenhake and Mathews, and Men’s Soccer Coaches Rodriguez and Slusher for taking all our fall teams to the playoffs this year!
Recently, Dr. Beth Ann Krueger agreed to serve on the System Council of Chief Academic Officers (SCOCAO). This is a KBOR Council and Dr. Krueger will be one of four Community College CAO’s serving on the council. Thanks Dr. K.! And while it has not happened yet, I look forward to attending and listening to the talent that will be on campus November 14–15 with KCKCC hosting the M*PACT Vocal Festival. Everyone will also have the opportunity to listen to KCKCC’s own “The Standard” during the concert. Thanks to John Stafford and the rest of the music program faculty and staff.
Below are a few items taking place at the college and state level:
First, congratulations to our Board of Trustees who, last week, were re-elected or elected to serve KCKCC for the next four years! Board members re-elected are: Ms. Rosalyn Brown, Board Chair; Dr. Ray Daniels, Board Vice-Chair; and Mr. Don Ash. I appreciate the dedication and passion each of these individuals have for KCKCC and our students’ success. Newly elected to the Board is Ms. Pat Brune. Trustee-Elect Brune brings a wealth of professional experience to the Board and is a fourth generation Dotte. We are extremely fortunate to have a Board that is so committed to what we do as a college and I look forward to working with all seven Board members beginning in January.
As is taking place across the country, additional focus and attention is being placed on colleges in Kansas by state legislators or other groups and individuals. Many data requests are been received by colleges through the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA). The following represents a few requests Kansas Community Colleges have received this semester: 1) percent of students requiring, and cost of providing, developmental education 2) individual costs per course for concurrent enrollment classes 3) Senate Bill 155 agreements and course fees, and 4) how many and what SB 155 eligible courses have been added. KCKCC is fortunate to have dedicated institutional research staff to help provide this information to the state.
Strategic Initiative Funding: This year, KCKCC has allocated $1.25 million to go towards the funding of college strategic initiatives. Presidents Extended Cabinet will complete this process for the fall semester this week. During the fall semester, approximately 60% – 65% is allocated, leaving the balance to be allocated in the spring. Not all money is allocated in the fall as new projects or priorities can come online during the middle of the year. Following the completion of the fall allocation, areas will be notified of approved projects.
KCKCC Downtown: Progress continues to take place with the identification of needs and how to best meet the needs with a downtown location. The initial Downtown Advisory Council membership has been identified and the Council has met four times to date. The group has been assigned to four taskforce groups to address: 1) Workforce/Programming/Mentorship 2) Wraparound Services/Barriers to Education 3) Communication/Public Relations/Industry Education, and 4) Fundraising/Sponsorship. The Council meets monthly at El Centro, downtown.
KCKCC Student Housing: Progress also continues on the work to design and construct KCKCC’s own student housing. A committee has been formed to look at potential opportunities and risks associated with building student housing through a public-private partnership for the development, construction and financing of a 230-250 bed housing unit on campus at 7250 State Ave. As you can imagine, this is a large project and will take time to consider and weigh all options. We have recently connected with a group out of KU who provides procurement assistant services for this type of venture. We will be working with them to create our Scope of Work and to assist in obtaining and evaluating project proposals. Currently, with all going as planned, the target occupancy date is fall 2022.
On Tuesday, November 19, KCKCC will host our inaugural President’s Leadership Circle Breakfast. This new membership-based event has been created for the College to host our most supportive community members who are dedicated to support Kansas City Kansas Community College students through a variety of advocacy functions. As we further develop our relationships across the local and greater KC region, these type of activities will help keep our supporters informed of the great work each of you do on a regular basis.
On Tuesday, December 3, KCKCC will host a Legislative Breakfast for our locally elected legislators and commissioners. During the breakfast, our guests will have the opportunity to receive an update on KCKCC activities and have an opportunity to briefly share a few legislative priorities for the coming year. A tour will also be provided so our elected officials can see firsthand a few of our cutting-edge, 21st-century designed classrooms, and a few of those that could be helped with additional legislative resources.
This week I will be traveling to Arlington, Virginia to participate in an American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission on Economic and Workforce Development. Each year, I try to serve on one of AACC’s national commissions. Recently, I served on the Commission on College Readiness. For the next two years, I will serve on the economic and workforce development commission to garner and bring back successful strategies taking place across the country and to share KCKCC current initiatives with the national group. These commissions are always beneficial to the participating colleges and will bring an additional level of national exposure to KCKCC.
Lastly, due to the good work the College has been engaged, with the additional emphasis placed on promoting what we do, and what we plan to do in the coming years, on social media and through news releases, KCKCC caught the attention of a national media organization. Over the last few weeks, I have been in contact with the senior producer for the organization and I am pleased to announce that KCKCC has been selected to be highlighted at the national level! Today is just the teaser and the formal announcement will be made at the next Board of Trustees meeting, Tuesday, November 19 at 5:00 p.m. in Upper Jewel. This coverage will provide great national exposure for KCKCC. Additional information will be released following this month’s Board meeting.
Keep up the great work and keep up the good fight for KCKCC Student Success!!
Hope to see you at tomorrow morning’s Veterans Day Ceremony at 9:00am located outside the Veteran Student Center in Lower Jewel.
Have a great week!
Dr. M.