Colby Community College Breaks Ground on New Dormitory to Support Growth and Keep Students Local
April 10, 2026
With shovels in hand and a steady Kansas wind sweeping across campus, Colby Community College officially broke ground April 10 on a new 80-bed dormitory, marking a significant step forward in the college’s continued growth.
The $7.2 million project, expected to be completed in the fall of 2027, will bring modern student housing to campus, including units equipped with kitchenettes designed to better meet the needs of today’s students.
The ceremony began with remarks from U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, who emphasized the broader impact of community colleges on rural communities like Colby.
“We often have under-emphasized the importance of community college education and technical education,” Moran said. “And I think our state is turning that around.”
Moran pointed to the role institutions like Colby Community College play in both educating students and keeping them rooted in their hometowns.
“When we educate people in Colby… we may keep our kids closer to home,” he said. “And the reality is you can be a success without going away. You can be a success at home.”
He added that expanding student housing is a direct reflection of that success and growth.
“This is a symbolic moment… we need more housing because we have more students,” Moran said.
Following Moran, College President Seth Carter addressed the crowd, thanking those in attendance and reflecting on the college’s recent expansion.
“This moment is so simple… but it would not be possible without this community or incredible students,” Carter said.
Carter emphasized that the new dormitory is not just a construction project, but a direct response to student and community needs.
“We also want to thank you for this direct collection of what you all asked for and the needs that you all have,” he said.
He also recognized the work behind the scenes that brought the project to this point.
“This is a special thanks to the Board of Trustees, all of our employees and everyone who made this possible,” Carter said.
The groundbreaking ceremony represents the culmination of a months-long process led by the Colby Community College Board of Trustees. In November 2025, the board identified two complete proposals for the project — from QMC, Inc. and Stephens Construction — and invited both firms to present their plans. After additional review meetings and detailed comparisons, the board unanimously approved Stephens Construction’s bid in December, citing cost efficiency and alignment with the college’s needs.
Now, with construction underway, the focus shifts toward the future.
The new dormitory will provide housing for 80 students and is expected to enhance both recruitment and retention by offering a more modern living experience. The addition of kitchenettes reflects a shift toward greater independence and flexibility for students, aligning with trends seen across community colleges nationwide.
More importantly, college and state leaders alike see the project as an investment in the region itself.
As Moran noted, the ability to educate students locally — and keep them in communities like Colby after graduation — is critical to long-term growth.
By the fall of 2027, the new dormitory will stand as a physical symbol of that vision, providing not only a place for students to live, but a foundation for the continued success of Colby Community College and the community it serves.