CCCC Trustees Meet to Discuss Student Programs, Enrollment Gains and Policy Updates

Cloud County Community College (CCCC) Board of Trustees met for its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 28, and covered several updates, approvals and policy discussions to support ongoing campus improvement.

Board of Trustees members Jesse Pounds, Dave Garnas, Amber Hanson, Richard Hubert, Kevin Muff and Kevin Pounds attended the meeting alongside CCCC President Amber Knoettgen, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Brandon Galm and Vice President for Administrative Services Ceaser Wood. Vice President for Student Services Brandt Hutchinson missed Monday's meeting.

After the regular call to order, agenda adoption and no guest comments, the board moved into highlights and introductions of student activities throughout the last month.

Due to technical difficulties, trustee members moved past the initially planned highlight for CCCC Geary County Campus through an online video call. They moved on to highlight this year's student ambassadors.

Student Senate leaders and members visited the podium next, with Coordinator of Student Involvement Zoë Merz reporting that this year's Haunted Forest had 443 attendees, 50 volunteers and 65 canned items donated to the campus food pantry. Overall, the event raised $400.

After highlighting student senate activities, trustee members had the chance to meet this year's residence assistants (commonly known as RA's) who help in the dormitories.

The last highlight included the new President's Ambassadors program, which offers students a $4,000 scholarship. Out of 13 applicants, Executive Director of the CCCC Foundation Heather Gannette said staff members chose two freshmen, Hope Beikman and James "Evan" Bogart, for this year's ambassadors.

Trustees members then approved the consent agenda unanimously and moved on to Knoettgen's presidential report.

Knoettgen presented a video advertising the college that staff posted on the college's social media platforms, alongside reporting that CCCC's enrollment numbers increased by 5% for the upcoming spring semester.

Galm presented his Vice President for Academic Affairs report to trustees and detailed that the review from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) had arrived and that he and HLC staff would continue to plan the 2025-2026 visit from the organization.

He also highlighted upcoming theatre and musical productions from CCCC students and Geary County Campus' food pantry startup.

Wood presented his Admin Services update to trustees next. He discussed an 11% increase in enrollment at CCCC Tech and the early retirement of Rex Sicard, a longtime maintenance staff member.

After staff finished their reports, trustees tackled a discussion item: Policy E16, Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Students. Without much discussion, trustee members decided the policy looked good and moved on to the only action item of the evening, the 2025-2026 academic calendar.

Galm detailed that one significant change was adding the federal holiday Juneteenth to the calendar for observation, and the trustees unanimously approved the updated calendar.

The meeting then moved on to the executive session, and trustees took no action afterward.

Trustees will meet for a special meeting on Nov. 6.

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