CCC Trustees Approve New Bus, Facility Upgrades, and Nursing Agreement
October 21, 2025
The Colby Community College Board of Trustees met October 20 at Thomas Hall, moving efficiently through an agenda that blended academic highlights, facility improvements, and administrative approvals. President Dr. Seth Carter led the meeting, noting Vice Chair Vaughn was absent due to prior obligations.
The evening opened with a presentation from the Allied Health Department, featuring directors from dental hygiene, physical therapy, and nursing programs. Dental Hygiene Director Bobette Maier reported 20 students currently enrolled in the program, which operates under accreditation from Topeka. She explained that students perform complimentary dental services for the public—cleanings, X-rays, and oral cancer screenings—as part of their clinical training.
Physical Therapy Assistant Program Director Dr. Christopher Flieg and Division Chair Dr. Meghan Corder said the program has eight students enrolled out of 24 available slots. Despite its small size, the program continues to serve CCC faculty, staff, and student-athletes, and it engages in local outreach through balance screenings and Parkinson’s awareness events.
Nursing Director Michaelle Bliss highlighted 24 students in the associate degree program, 23 in the Colby LPN track, and 11 in Norton. Nursing students maintain a strong pass rate of roughly 88 to 90 percent, among the highest in Kansas community college programs.
Administrative updates followed, beginning with Vice President of Student Affairs Nikol Nolan, who announced that CCC launched classes at the Norton Correctional Facility East Unit, starting with forklift certification courses. Nolan said the college hopes to expand these opportunities to include GED and additional vocational instruction.
Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Angel Morrison reported that enrollment remains strong, with fall numbers trending upward across programs and spring registration already underway. Business Affairs Vice President Justin Villmer confirmed the college’s annual audit would begin the following week, and Public Information Director Doug Johnson shared that CCC partnered with Lincoln Myers to produce new aerial footage of the campus.
Athletic Director Kenny Hernandez said CCC will host the Region 6 Cross Country Championships at Meadow Lake Golf Course and the regional volleyball tournament November 8 at the Colby Event Center. The men’s cross country team currently holds a No. 10 national ranking.
During action items, the board approved the purchase of a 2026 Super Coach DXL 102-Freightliner M2 106 Plus bus from National Bus Sales for $423,309. Dr. Carter said the new bus meets 2025 rollover safety standards and should last the college approximately a decade.
Trustees also approved a $27,780 bid from C&B Heating and Air Conditioning to improve ventilation and install air conditioning in the ceramics building. An updated clinical engineering contract with Hays Medical Center was approved to ensure Physical Therapy program equipment remains compliant and properly maintained.
Additional items approved included a late-fall tuition rate of $133 per credit hour, an updated 15 percent indirect rate policy for grants, and a renewed articulation agreement with Washburn University to support CCC nursing graduates pursuing bachelor’s degrees.
Three resignations were accepted—English instructor Robbyn Lamb, Financial Aid Counselor Carson McLaughlin, and Assistant Trainer Jenna Stoecker.
A 20-minute executive session closed the meeting, with no action taken afterward. Dr. Carter concluded by thanking the trustees and staff, noting that the evening’s decisions continued to build on the college’s long-term goals for campus growth and academic excellence.