FUNDING CHANGE IMPACTS COMMUNITY
In 2023, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB243 which shifted community college funding from local property taxes to state funds at the beginning of the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The intent of LB243 is to strengthen the community colleges and address the skilled workforce gap in Nebraska by enhancing funding of community colleges while reducing the burden on property tax.
The new model replaced the 2025 general fund levy with state funds, through the Community College Future Fund. Taxes paid to community colleges in 2024 were eligible for a 100% tax credit.
the authority to levy a general fund tax equal to the amount not funded.”
The baseline for the Community College Future Fund was set at an amount equal to a 7.5 cent levy or actual, whichever was higher based on their 2024 valuations. The Community College Future Fund makes up approximately 5560% of the community college’s revenue and it’s adjusted based on a fixed 3.5% increase and additional student enrollment growth to ensure continued funding and support.
“The new funding model has benefits and challenges,” said Mid-Plains Community College President Ryan
If enrollment increases significantly, the model provides funding to assist with growth and programmatic changes. In times of less or flat enrollment, the current model can create challenges for colleges to keep up with increased salaries, utilities, insurance, cybersecurity and
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Business Community Education Report
Students Build Tiny Home for Veterans Celebrating 60 Years
MPCC Rodeo Team
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In & Out of State Data
Student Data
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Strategic Plan
Transforming lives through exceptional learning opportunities for individual student success.
OUR ROLE OUR VALUES
The College believes that certain values should guide each decision made in the operation of the College. We value excellence in education through:
• Integrity
• Programs that enhance the quality of life for people and our region
• Accessibility and affordability
• Respect for our college, communities and the people we serve
• Open and honest communication
• Safe, quality and engaging environments
• Continuous collaboration among all campuses
MPCC seeks the following instructional and service priorities:
• Applied technology and occupational education and, when necessary, foundations education
• Transfer education, including general academic transfer degree programs, or applied technology and occupational programs which may be applicable to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program, and, when necessary, foundations education
• Public service, particularly adult continuing education for occupations and professions, economic and community development focused on customized occupational assessment and job training programs for businesses and communities, and avocational and personal development courses
• Applied research
Kim Korgan District 1
Haven Smith Director of Institutional Advancement
Matthew Broz District 1
Ryan Purdy President
Kirk Crawley District 3
Rebecca Wrage Director of Human Resources
Dr. Ben Lashley District 4
Mike Steele Vice President of Administrative Services
Molly Jeffres District 2
Jody Tomanek Vice President of Academic Affairs & NPCC
Kent Miller District 4
Tyler Pribbeno District 2
Daniel Stinman Director of Marketing & Public Information
Megan McGown District 5
Tad Pfeifer Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Ted Klug, Jr. At Large
Cynthia Duncan District 3 (Chair)
Kelly Rippen Vice President of Student Affairs & MCC
Tricia Schaffer District 5
Successful accreditation visits were completed for the Medical Laboratory Technician and Accelerated Paramedic programs, along with positive state reviews for the Nursing and Emergency Medical Technician programs.
The 2024 NPCC Foundation Auction House was sold for $195,000
Nancy Sedlacek of Broken Bow won the 2024 NPCC raffle car—a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am. A total of 6,307 raffle tickets were sold.
Hosted the Western Regional High School/Junior High Science Fair, welcoming 82 competitors along with numerous judges and supporters.
The Music Department established a 2+2 transfer partnership with the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) to support students pursuing a four-year degree in music.
The Sociology Department secured a 2+2 Criminology transfer pathway in collaboration with UNK.
Introduced two new Psychology courses—Social Psychology and Sports Psychology—available both in-person and online.
A total of 380 area high school seniors were awarded honor cords to wear at their graduation ceremonies.
Nine high school students earned associate degrees from MPCC prior to receiving their high school diploma.
The Mid-Plains Community College Ogallala Campus has been buzzing. Four students from Ogallala High School took part in the Ready-to-Work: Building Construction Homes for Heros program last spring.
Under the guidance of instructor Casey Craig, the students spent two days a week learning hands-on skills to construct the first of seven tiny homes for The Connection, Lincoln County’s homeless shelter, in North Platte. The homes will be part of a tiny home community planned to meet the need for unhoused veterans in the area.
In 2024, the MPCC Ogallala campus offered its inaugural Ready-to-Work Building Construction program. The course was designed to equip students with essential construction skills while addressing the critical need for skilled trades workers in western Nebraska.
The initial program morphed into Ready-to-Work Building Construction: Homes for Heroes after a structure built last year was purchased by The Connection. That building will become the laundry facility, anchoring the tiny home veteran community. Ashley Lewis, Executive Director of The Connection, visited the project site in Ogallala and shared her
gratefulness with the students. “Do you know who you are building this home for?” she asked. She shared that a current resident of the shelter who has spent more of his life unhoused, than housed, will be the first resident of the tiny home community. He is a veteran and now works at the shelter. Through teary eyes, she thanked the students for their dedication and work.
Campus Administrator Mary Pierce and Dean of Outreach Gail Knott recently showcased the Ready-to-Work: Building Construction Homes for Heros program and MPCC was awarded $20,000 from the Ratcliffe Foundation. “We’re so grateful for these funds,” Pierce said. “This has allowed us to move this program forward.”
The Connection broke ground for their tiny home community in North Platte on May 28 and plan to place the two structures built by the MPCC Ready-to-Work students this fall.
North Platte Community College will mark its 60th anniversary with a series of yearlong celebrations throughout the 2025–26 academic year, honoring six decades of growth, innovation and service to students and the community.
The journey began in the summer of 1964, when momentum for establishing a junior college in North Platte increased alongside the construction of a new post office and federal courthouse. The federal government transferred ownership of the former post office at Fifth and Jeffers to the Junior College District, and by August 31, 1965, North Platte College officially opened its doors under the leadership of President Otto Oakes.
In September 1968, the college expanded with the opening of the Mid-Plains Vocational Technical College, located in the old North Platte City Library and the Children's Museum and warehouse. As student demand continued to grow, plans for a larger facility took shape. Thanks to a land donation from Victor Halligan and the vision of
Wendell Wood, the campus now known as North Campus was completed in January 1971.
Further expansion followed in 1972 when North Platte Junior College received a generous bequest from the estate of the late Janet McDonald. This gift enabled the development of the current campus at 601 West State Farm Road.
Over the past five decades, the college has continually evolved to meet the needs of its students and the region. It has added modern facilities for programs such as auto body repair, diesel technology and health occupations. In the last 30 years, the college has introduced dedicated student housing, expanded student activity spaces and redeveloped its South Campus to include a pavilion to enhance student safety from one side of campus to the other.
The institution is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of the community and the contributions of board members, students, faculty and staff—past and present—whose dedication has shaped the college’s mission and success over the last 60 years.
45
Graduates from McCook campus
MCCOOK CAMPUS
121
Graduates from North Platte campus Headcount
NORTH PLATTE CAMPUS
263
from in state | out of service area
IN STATE OUT OF MPCC AREA
268
from out of state
185 FULL-TIME 32 PART-TIME
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DUAL CREDIT CLASSES 65
7
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DUAL CREDIT CLASSES
23
42
OGALLALA CAMPUS Graduates
193
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY EDUCATION
The Business and Community Education (BCE) Department in McCook began the 2024-25 academic year in McMillen Hall, relocating to the McCook East Campus in January 2025. The new facility offers expanded space to support growth and flexibility as business and industry needs continue to evolve accross the 18-county service area.
BCE’s impact is far-reaching, providing a variety of programs tailored to business and industry needs. These include continuing education courses for maintaining certifications and credentials, conferences and workshops, Ready for Work training, motor school programs and traditional community education classes for all ages.
Behind the scenes, the department transitioned from ACEware to the Jenzabar Campus Marketplace system. This upgrade aims to streamline operations, enhance student engagement and increase revenue. Once fully implemented, non-credit courses completed by students will appear on their for-credit transcripts, supporting the earning of digital badges and business credentials for newly acquired vocational skills.
Throughout the 2024–25 year, new training equipment was introduced, including medical and CDL simulation trailers. These trailers were wrapped to promote MPCC programs and raise awareness among prospective students and potential business partners.
The Mid-Plains Community College men’s rodeo team had a standout 2024–25 season, spending most of the year ranked in the top three nationally, even claiming as high as No. 1 during the 2024-25 season. Their hard work culminated in eight student-athletes qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyoming, held June 15–21.
Trace Scarlavai was one of only two bull riders to make three qualifying rides prior to the short go. The rides generated a 98.5-point advantage heading into the championship Saturday which secured him a national title and the prestigious Men’s Rookie of the Year award.
Jackson Lunn, also a Great Plains Region Champion, successfully rode all three of his qualifying horses to reach the short round in bareback riding. He scored a 76 in the final round, finishing tenth in the nation
In team roping, Ryan Sheperd and his partner Cael Hilzendeger (Bismark State) finished with a cumulative time of 58.3 seconds across all four rounds to finish fifth in the national standings.
MPCC's impact extended beyond the arena. Roughstock coach Auaki Kaai accepted a plaque at the CNFR Coaches’ Breakfast recognizing the MPCC Stampede as the 2024–25 Great Plains Region Rodeo of the Year—the fourth time in five years the college has received this honor. Coach Kaai was also named the Great Plains Region Coach of the Year.
Two team members, Kahiwa Augustiro and Laynee Ohm, were awarded $1,500 Dual Excellence Scholarships from the Wranglers Booster Committee for excelling both academically and athletically during the fall semester. Recipients are selected based on GPA and total rodeo points earned.
Additionally, five members were awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Kiplinger Foundation during the team’s annual spring fundraiser rodeo in McCook. Team members were: Maddy McGee, Maggie Underhill, Ryan Sheperd, Brady Renner and Bailey Barker.
BASEBALL
| The baseball team finished the 2025 season with a 27-30 overall record. Sophomore Cory Wouters won the Region IX triple crown with a .437 batting average, 21 home runs and 96 RBIs. He etched his name into history books by breaking the single season RBI (96) and slugging percentage (.859) records.
At the conclusion of the season, Wouters was named Region IX Player of the Year and became the first-ever NJCAA All-American in program history, being selected amongst players from 159 junior college teams.
Additionally, Dalton Berg earned All-Region IX Second Team honors, while Nathan Hutchison was named an honorable mention selection and the Gold Glove Team recipient. Pitchers Tait Anderson, Aviv Bobrov and Landon Molloy closed out the regional awards by being named as honorable mention selections.
The baseball team finished the season as a NJCAA Academic Team of the Year after posting a 3.12 GPA. Thirteen players received NJCAA All-Academic Team honors, while 18 players were named to the Academic All-Region IX Team.
The golf team finished the season with a sixth-place finish at the West District Tournament in Loveland, Colo.
Under first-year coach Grant Case, the Indians’ top showings for the 20242025 season included four third-place finishes.
Sophomore Andrew Brown finished in the top 10 in seven meets with his best coming at the Otero Tournament, where he finished in a tie for second place. Sophomore Matt Grimonprez had four top 10s including two fourth place finishes. Brown was named to the NJCAA All-Academic Second Team and the Academic All-Region IX Men’s Team.
Three sophomores moved on to NAIA schools: Brown to Mount Mercy University, Grimonprez to Hope International University and Chance Gambini to Bethany College.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
| The men’s basketball team finished the 2024–25 season with a 12-19 record under first-year head coach Dillon Hargrove.
Madison Peaster earned Third Team All-Region IX honors, while Nate Coley received honorable mention recognition. Peaster was also named to the NCCAC All-Conference Team and the Omaha World-Herald Midlands Junior College Team. Coley and Norris Bourne received NCCAC honors as well, with both earning honorable mention selections from the World-Herald, along with teammate Louie Tucker.
Academically, Vladimir Brkovic was named to the NJCAA All-Academic Second Team for maintaining a GPA between 3.80 and 3.99. Both Brkovic and Marial Diper were also selected to the Region IX All-Academic Team.
SOFTBALL
| The softball team enjoyed a historic 2025 season, advancing to the final eight of the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series in Yuma, Arizona. In their first-ever national tournament appearance, the unranked Indians posted a 3-2 record and finished the season with an impressive 51-11 overall mark.
At the conclusion of the season, head coach Mike Mendenhall was named the Region IX Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the Indians have compiled a 116-60 record to date.
The team set a program record with 48 regular-season wins and captured both the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference (NCCAC) title with a perfect 12-0 record and the program’s second-ever Region IX championship.
Freshman Kaliyah St. Amand earned both Region IX Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year honors. She was joined on the All-Region IX team by teammates Sadie Kahl, Payton Kinsley, Lexi Knapp, Paige Warren, Laila Gutierrez, Angela Banzet, Rocio Mascorro and Ayana Goodwin.
On the national stage, Gutierrez was named a Second Team NJCAA All-American, while Kinsley and Warren received Third Team honors.
In the classroom, the team earned NJCAA Academic Team of the Year recognition with a team GPA of 3.46. Eleven players were named to NJCAA All-Academic teams, and 14 earned spots on the 2024–25 Academic All-Region IX Women’s Team.
VOLLEYBALL
The volleyball team surpassed the 20-win mark for the sixth time in the past seven years, closing out the 2024 season with a 21-11 record. The team also captured the final Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference title in history, going a perfect 6-0 in league play.
Four players and head coach Hayley Kobza earned postseason recognition. Sophomores Cibeles Bothwell, Caylin Barnett and Rowan Tribelhorn were named Second Team All-Region IX South, with Bothwell also honored as Libero of the Year. Romina Martinez Castro joined Barnett and Tribelhorn on the All-NCCAC Team, while Kobza was named NCCAC
Academically, the team was recognized by the NJCAA as a 2025 Academic Team of the Year with a collective GPA of 3.26. Six players earned NJCAA All-Academic honors, and four were named to the Region IX
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
| The women’s basketball team wrapped up the 2024–25 season with a 19-12 overall record, including an impressive 8-2 mark in south region play to finish second and earn a first-round bye in the postseason tournament. The season came to end with a 69-68 overtime loss to Gillette in
Madra Liepniece was named to the Region IX All-South Team and the Region IX All-Tournament Team, while Carolina Garcia Perdomo was named to the Region IX South All-Defensive Team.
Additionally, Natalie Harmata, Johanna Gerlach and Liepniece were named to the NCCAC All-Conference Team. Liepniece and Peyton Cox were also selected to the Omaha World-Herald Midlands Junior College Team.
Academically, the team led all athletic programs with the highest cumulative GPA, earning NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honors with a 3.50 GPA. Seven players received NJCAA All-Academic Team recognition, and eight were named to the
The volleyball team capped off a hard-fought season by earning a spot in the Region IX Championship after a semifinal victory over Southeast. The Knights would fall to Central in a four-set match, finishing the season with a 14-24
On the court, Jaelyn Dicke, Aubrey Grant and EmiLee Walnofer were recognized as NJCAA Region IX Team honorees. Off the court, the Knights soared academically, achieving a collective 3.40 GPA.
The teams GPA earned them a spot on the National Junior College Athletic Association's Academic Teams of the Year list. Jenna Claflin, Jaelyn Dicke, Kathryn Folkers, Zoe Maher and EmiLee Walnofer were selected for the NJCAA’s All-Academic First Team. While Fatima Gomez was named as an All-Academic Third Team selection.
The program also was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association for their academic achievements. Receiving the AVCA Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, as one of just 16 NJCAA DII programs honored.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
| The women’s basketball team made history in the 2024-25 season as the first women’s basketball team to advance to the NJCAA Sweet Sixteen.
North Platte opened the national tournament with a historic 69-62 victory over Schoolcraft, marking the program’s first-ever win at the national tournament. Knights would fall to eventual national champion Johnson County Community College in the second round, 53-42. The Knights finished the year with a 21-14 overall record, while going undefeated in conference play.
Their postseason run followed winning the Region IX Championship, their third in four years, as well as their third district title under head coach Jeff Thurman.
Jada Thompson, Nevaeh Golden and EmmaJo Locks were named to the AllRegion IX Team, while Golden, Thompson and Kateria Gooden received Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference Team.
Coach Jeff Thurman received his fifth Region IX Coach of the Year honor and his third Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year award.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
| The men’s basketball team closed out the 2024-25 season with a 19-12 overall record, while going 7-5 in conference play.
Freshman Mo Diao was recognized as an All-Region IX Second Team honoree, while Trey Summers was named as an honorable mention selection. Diao and Summers were also received Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference honors alongside freshman guard Justus Michael.
Diao led Region IX South in rebounds (8.1) and blocks per game (3.4), while shooting 52.8% from the field and posting 22 double-digit scoring games in 27 appearances.
In his first year, head coach Jacob Brandl made an immediate impact, earning the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year award.
MEN'S GOLF
The men’s golf team finished their second season, with seven golfers under the direction of head coach Will Peers.
The team would compete in 10 golf meets, including the North Central District Championship where they would finish 12th in team standings.
Leading the way at district tournament was Treyten York with a three-round score of 242 (+26), including a standout opening round of 77. Teammates Cole Kramer (+28), Taytom Timbers (+29), Caeson Clarke (+33) and Layne Smotzer (+35) rounded out the scoring, all finishing the full tournament.
| The women’s golf team finished their inaugural season, competing in the spring season with four golfers on the roster.
Will Peers guided them through their first year competing in eight individual events, and three tournaments with a full team.
North Platte took three golfers to the North Plains District Championship. Freshman Kaylee Carlson led the Knights with a two-round score of 185 (+43), while Kristyn Woolley (+71) and Delaine Mize (+75) followed finishing all rounds of the tournament.
SOFTBALL
| North Platte softball opened a new chapter with its first season under the leadership of head coach Mark Franzen.
The Knights battled their way to the Region IX Championship game upsetting No. 1 seeded Southeast before falling to Central in a double elimination tournament. Knights ended the season with an 8-23 overall record with their first win under Franzen coming on March 15 against Dakota
Victoria Arellano, Sarah Perez and Alieze Moreno were all named to the All-
2024-25 GENERAL FUND REVENUE BY SOURCE 2024-25
(4,745,606) (4,015,699)
MCCOOK EAST CAMPUS
Mid-Plains Community College cut the ribbon on the McCook Community College East Campus on Jan. 15, 2025. The 29,000 square foot two level space formerly known as the Elks Club was originally constructed in the mid-1950s.
The renovated facility features expanded classrooms, multipurpose areas and simulation spaces designed to advance and increase workforce training. The main level is home to the Business and Community Education department, which uses the new spaces for regional business and industry training opportunities.
The lower level of the facility allows the college to expand and enhance its paramedic, nursing and emergency medical services programs – a challenge on the original MCC campus because of its landlocked location.
The property and building were generously donated in 2015 by Perry and Vicky Case, with the intent that it be used for educational purposes. Initially the college invested approximately $600,000 into the project, including asbestos abatement and a complete interior demolition down to the concrete, brick and steel, paving the way for the modern renovations to be completed.
ELECTRICAL BUILDING
Mid-Plains Community College broke ground on a new Electrical Technology building on Nov. 20, 2024 on the North Platte Community College North Campus.
The Electrical Technology program has operated out of its current facility since 1979. Over the years, the program has expanded to include an Electrical Automation degree and consistently maintains full enrollment, often with a waitlist.
As demand continues to rise for skilled residential and commercial electricians, the need for advanced training facilities has also increased. The construction of the new building will allow the program to accommodate more students and strengthen partnerships with area high schools to offer career exploration opportunities.
The expanded space will feature state-of-the-art technology and provide instructors with the resources needed to enhance and grow the program in order to meet the workforce needs within our 18-country service area.
In support of Strategic Goal #1, research was conducted by faculty Sheri Hink-Wagner and Cathy Nutt, and learning resources director, Katie Wheeler, to gain perspective on the student experience of learning in an online environment. Efforts to adapt college processes to make improvements to prepare students to learn in the online mode are planned for 2025-26.
For Strategic Goal #2, feedback was used from faculty and staff to enhance the Enrollment Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Reports to provide a better understanding of the different student subgroups being served by the college. Additional discussions around student progress and success also developed in a cross functional monthly meeting of student success, advising, registration and records, and the institutional research department personnel.
Strategic Goal #3 efforts saw continued growth in participation by businesses and students in job fairs for connections to internships and careers led by Amy Sabatka, director of career services. More statewide connections were created for optimal student transfer experience led by Dr. Jody Tomanek, vice president of academic affairs. Haven Smith, MPCC’s new director of institutional advancement, came on board in December 2024 and is working with many MPCC departments and external partners towards building and developing partners, working with area employers and building transfer pathways.
Within Strategic Goal #4, Valentine campus administrator Jennifer Edson saw an opportunity to enhance delivery of innovative learning opportunities and meet growing multilingual needs with a software tool she researched called Speechace. By providing real-time pronunciation feedback, Speechace will
improve current online language learning efforts and support emerging initiatives such as workplace Spanish and specific Spanish language training.
In Fall 2024, research was conducted on increasing offerings using flexible delivery modes and scheduling with 219 students surveyed. Overall, respondents indicated that MPCC is offering courses in formats students need. There were three general themes identified in the feedback including course modality, course scheduling and advising. Over the next year, MPCC will consider upgrading IT equipment at all campuses, particularly community campuses, to ensure proper Wi-Fi and internet access connectivity, providing professional development for faculty who teach distance and online courses, work on offering additional eightweek classes, and providing more on site advising at MPCC’s community campuses.
Strategic Goal #5 movement in 2024-25 has included work in the areas of communication, organization and encouraging employee development. The weekly updates from cabinet members were rescheduled to include an update from each of the eight members on a rotating basis. Cascading recaps of weekly cabinet meetings have also been instituted to help employees throughout the organization be more aware of decisions made and topics being discussed. The organizational structure change was made in 2024-25 to provide more direct support to faculty and enrollment services staff by creating a two academic dean structure within academic affairs and reinstating the dean of enrollment services position. Finally, investments were made in holding an all-Classified staff training on well-being and plans were made to provide enhanced manager training in employee engagement for the 2025-26 year.
