President Carter's CCC Update

April 29, 2026

Greetings from Colby Community College.

We hope everyone is doing well. It is hard to believe that the spring 2026 semester is almost over, and we are diving into summer. As always, thank you for your continued support to make Colby, Kansas, such a great place to be. In this article, I will discuss some of our campus happenings from spring and summer, as well as some of our current initiatives.

The Colby Community College Endowment Foundation hosted its annual auction on March 28, 2026, to raise funds for student scholarships. We were so blessed and fortunate to have a record-setting event that grossed almost $160,000. Even though I have lived in Colby for longer than a decade, I am still in awe of the kindness and generosity of our community. The success of this event allows the College to continue growing our base and attract more students to Northwest Kansas. From everyone at the College and the Endowment, thank you so much. We are eternally grateful and cannot express our gratitude enough.

Proceeds from the Endowment Auction directly support student scholarships and program enhancements that expand opportunities for Colby students. The continued support of our region is vital to helping students pursue their educational goals while strengthening the workforce and area communities. We are grateful for the many individuals and organizations who donate items, sponsor the event, and participate each year to make this meaningful tradition possible.

Students across Northwest Kansas will continue to have expanded access to affordable higher education after the Colby Community College Board of Trustees renewed the Colby Commitment Scholarship through the Spring 2027 semester at its April 20, 2026, meeting. The program provides eligible students with tuition, fees, and books, serving students who receive free or reduced-price meals within the College’s 14-county service area, as well as all juniors and seniors in Thomas County schools, including public, private, and homeschool students. Other qualifying students may enroll for just $50 per credit hour, which also includes tuition, fees, and books. Since launching in January 2024, the scholarship has supported more than 935 high school students and covered more than $1.14 million in college-related expenses.

This summer, we will be renovating the kitchen used for campus student dining. This area does not appear to have ever been fully remodeled since its inception. One challenge is deteriorating drainage pipes. To address this issue, the entire area will be opened to trace and repair the lines. This will be a major undertaking, but the area is so important because it is utilized hundreds of times a day by students and the community.

This has been an incredible year for Colby Community College. We are deeply grateful to our students and community for the opportunity to serve and grow alongside you. There are so many positive things happening in Colby and across Northwest Kansas, and we are proud to be part of that momentum. My wife and I often reflect on how fortunate we are to raise our family in such an outstanding community. The people here make Colby a truly special place to live, work, and learn.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you have not been on campus lately, we would love to see you.

Respectfully,

Seth Macon Carter

President, Colby Community College