CCC Update with President Carter - Sept. 30

Greetings from Colby Community College.

We hope everyone is doing well. It is hard to believe we are already into October and approaching the midpoint of the fall semester. As always, I want to begin by thanking our students, employees, Board of Trustees, and communities throughout Northwest Kansas for their continued support of Colby Community College.

I am pleased to share some very positive news regarding our recent Higher Learning Commission comprehensive accreditation visit, which occurs only once every ten years. The College received the draft report from the HLC Site Visit Team, and every accreditation area was rated “Met,” the highest rating available.

This is an outstanding initial result and reflects the tremendous amount of work that takes place across the College every day. Accreditation examines the institution as a whole, including our mission, academic programs, governance, resources, institutional effectiveness, and commitment to our students. Receiving “Met” in every area reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, administration, Board of Trustees, and students.

There are still steps remaining before the accreditation process is complete. The College will review the draft report for factual corrections before it moves to the Institutional Actions Council and ultimately the Higher Learning Commission for final action. However, this initial report is an important milestone, and I want to sincerely thank everyone who helped prepare for the visit and who continues to make Colby Community College successful.

We also recently celebrated an outstanding achievement by Colby Community College student Tiffani Benavides, who was named a 2026 Chime Workforce Scholar. Tiffani is one of only 200 students nationwide selected for the honor, which recognizes academic achievement and a commitment to career-focused education. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship to assist with educational expenses as she works toward completing her degree or certificate and preparing to enter a high-demand field. This national recognition is a tremendous accomplishment for Tiffani and another example of the quality students we are fortunate to serve at Colby Community College. We are proud of her hard work and look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next.

Another milestone worth celebrating is the continued success of the Colby Tennis Center, which recently recorded its 10,000th reservation less than five years after opening. The 21,328-square-foot facility opened in October 2021 and provides tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a walking area at no charge to students and community members. The Tennis Center has become a true community resource, and reaching 10,000 reservations demonstrates what can be accomplished when people throughout our community work together toward a shared vision.

We remain incredibly grateful for the support from Colby and throughout Northwest Kansas. Ultimately, we help educate Northwest Kansas at unparalleled levels and support the communities that support us. Thank you all for everything you do. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. If you have not been on campus lately, please stop by; we would love to see you.

Respectfully,

Seth Macon Carter
President, Colby Community College