2025-26
Free Dual Credit
Board of Governors & College Administration
Academic Affairs
Project House
Student Data
Campus Data
In & Out of State Data
Business Community Education Report
MPCC Rodeo Team
McCook Community College Athletic Recaps
North Platte Community College Athletic Recaps
History of McCook Community College
Financial Data
Strategic Plan
Transforming lives through exceptional learning opportunities for individual student success. 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:
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Integrity
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Programs that enhance the quality of life for people and our region
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Accessibility and affordability
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Respect for our college, communities and the people we serve
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Open and honest communication
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Safe, quality and engaging environments
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Continuous collaboration among all campuses
OUR ROLE MPCC seeks the following instructional and service priorities: •
Applied technology and occupational education and, when necessary, foundations education
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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
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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
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Applied research
Greetings Alumni, Friends & Stakeholders, I hope this year’s annual report greets you with excitement. In the pages that follow, you’ll read about a few of the highlights and accomplishments of our talented students and staff over the past year. In 2024-25, we celebrated 50 years of the Mid-Plains Community College Area as established by the legislature. In 2025-26, we celebrated 60 years since the beginning of North Platte Community College. In 2026-27, we’ll celebrate 100 years of our McCook Community College as Nebraska’s First Community College. Mid-Plains Community College experienced a 10% increase in enrollment during the 2025-26 year. In May 2025, the Board of Governor’s approved free dual credit for our high schools students. As a result, dual credit and early entry enrollment increased by nearly 15% over the previous year. Business and Community Education and non-credit training also experienced significant increases of 75% due in part to additional training opportunities and the addition of the McCook East Campus (former Elks Building). Both of these enrollment areas were record years for MPCC. Next year’s focus will be on initiatives that drive on-campus enrollments and seek to reengage adult learners and past students who started but never finished a postsecondary credential.
Our students and staff continue to shine. Gracie Hock earned a perfect score on the Microsoft Word Associate certification exam placing her among the top ten students in Nebraska. The McCook Wrightstone Art Gallery hosted the 156th American Watercolor Society Exhibition, expanding opportunities for students and the community to experience exceptional artwork. New transfer pathways were established with four-year institutions to support music students in continuing their education. Additionally, biology instructors HaLea Messersmith and Rob Bogardus received a grant to advance research efforts across Nebraska in partnership with the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. The building construction program completed the first project house at Iron Eagle Court. Historically the program has constructed a home to be moved to the highest bidder’s site. Through a generous donation of a lot at the nearby Iron Eagle Estates, students had the opportunity to experience additional phases of the project that weren’t possible with a house built to move. Two more houses are under construction by the program in that same subdivision. Mid-Plains Community College athletes continue to shine on and off the field of play. McCook baseball set a regular season wins record. McCook softball reset their season wins record from the previous year and made a return to the NJCAA College World Series. Many of the teams and players of the McCook
and North Platte teams were recognized with postseason athletic and academic awards by both Region 9 and the NJCAA. The MPCC rodeo team had an outstanding season, earning top finishes in the Great Plains Region standings and sending nine qualifiers to the College National Finals Rodeo. Laynee Ohm was our first Great Plains Region women’s all-around champion. Kahiwa Augustiro became a three-time Great Plains Region men’s all-around title champion. Coach Aukai Kaai was named Great Plains Coach of the Year for the third consecutive year. I hope you enjoy reading this annual report to learn more about the great things that are happening at your community college. We’ll soon be embarking on the creation of our next strategic plan and stakeholder input is an important component of the plan. Don’t hesitate to reach out and share with us your input on how we can better serve you as we desire to continue to improve in all areas to sustain and grow our region.
Ryan Purdy, MPCC President
MPCC sees record growth following launch of free Dual Credit
One year after Mid-Plains Community College began offering free dual credit and early entry courses, more students than ever across the region are earning college credit while still in high school. Dual credit enrollment climbed from 1,039 students in the 2024-25 school year to 1,392 students in 2025-26, an increase of 34%. During the 2025-26 school year MPCC students completed 13,930.5 dual credit hours, up from 11,297 in 2024-25. That’s an increase of 2,633.5 credit hours, representing more than a 23.3% increase in college coursework completed by area high school students. "The response has exceeded our expectations," said Kayla Thurman, Director of Early Entry and Program Development. "By removing the financial barrier, we've been able to reach more students and help them begin earning college credit while they're still in high school. These numbers represent real opportunities for students to save money, build confidence and get a head start on their educational and career goals." As MPCC looks ahead, the college remains committed to providing affordable, accessible educational opportunities that prepare students for success in college, careers and beyond.
The response has exceeded our expectations - Kayla Thurman, Director of Early Entry and Program Development
Ted Klug, Jr. At Large
Matthew Broz
Molly Jeffres
Cynthia Duncan
Dr. Ben Lashley
Megan McGown
Kim Korgan
Tyler Pribbeno
Kirk Crawley
Kent Miller
Tricia Schaffer
District 1
District 1
Ryan Purdy
District 2
Jody Tomanek
President
Vice President of Academic Affairs & NPCC
Tad Pfeifer
Haven Smith
Director of Institutional Effectiveness
6
District 2
Director of Institutional Advancement
District 3 (Chair)
District 3
District 4
District 4
Kelly Rippen
District 5
District 5
Mike Steele
Vice President of Student Affairs & MCC
Vice President of Administrative Services
Daniel Stinman
Rebecca Wrage
Director of Marketing & Public Information
Director of Human Resources
Gracie Hock earned a perfect score on the Microsoft Word Associate certification exam and was recognized at the end of the year during the Spring Qualifier for placing among the top 10 students in Nebraska. McCook Community College hosted the 158th American Watercolor Society Exhibition at the Wrightstone Gallery from September 8 through October 27. Following its run at MCC, the exhibition traveled to the Mooresville Art Guild in North Carolina. Mid-Plains Community College and the University of Nebraska at Kearney agreed to a 2+2 transfer agreement designed to create a seamless pathway for students pursuing music.
FBLA Collegiate students attended the National Leadership Conference.
The McCook Community College business faculty hosted 16 students for a Business Etiquette Luncheon.
Faculty participated in professional development sessions related to Leadership Development, Certified Canvas Educator Training, and AI for Higher Education. Students in the Building Construction, Electrical, and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) Technology programs worked together to complete a project house at 2121 Iron Eagle Court in North Platte. The completed home was listed for sale with an asking price of $411,965. Bethany Miller, of Elgin, was the winner of the 2025 North Platte Community College raffle car, a 1972 GMC C10. The college sold 5,238 tickets for its 20th annual raffle car.
HaLea Messersmith and Rob Bogardus received a grant for just over $350,000 from the National Science Foundation grant to promote research across Nebraska. The grant is a four-year partnership with the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
7
As the demand for housing within the North Platte city limits continues to grow, Mid-Plains Community College students are helping meet that need while gaining valuable, hands-on experience in the process. Students in the building construction, electrical and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) technology programs put their skills to work just under a mile from the North Platte Community College North Campus, constructing a home from the ground up. “Being offsite allowed students to experience all of the different trades, which helped create a wellrounded experience,” said Ash Thompson, building construction instructor. “They got to see the different programs work firsthand and learn what it takes to build an entire house.” The project house was constructed through a partnership with Chief Construction and Bortner and Sons Construction, LLC. The ranch style home measures 2,365 square feet and features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-concept floor plan. Additional features include solid hardwood floors, carpeted bedrooms, a living room fireplace and 9-foot ceilings. The master bathroom includes a walk-in shower with an Onyx Collection surface. Construction was completed in the spring, and the house was listed for sale at $411,965. The project not only resulted in a new home for the North Platte community but also provided MPCC students with real-world experience they can carry with them into their future careers.
Online 33.08% Non-Credit 4.46%
Distance Learning 4.31%
Online 34.63%
20 25
-
26
M
PC
CF
TE
On Ground 58.13%
On Ground 60.85% Dual Credit 23.35%
202 5-
26 M
P
C
C
Distance Learning 4.52%
CR
ED
IT H
MPCC FALL-TO-FALL RETENTION RATE
10 YEAR TREND
Certificates 28
Diplomas 51
2025-26
2024-25
2023-24
2022-23
2021-22
2020-21
2018-19
2017-18
2016-17
2025-26
Fall 2024
2024-25
Fall 2023
2023-24
Fall 2022
2022-23
Fall 2021
2021-22
Fall 2020
Graduates 309
2019-20
2025-26 MPCC Graduate Count (309) & Awards by Type (333)
5-Year Trend
Full Time | Part Time
OURS
Associates 254
9
45 Graduates MCCOOK CAMPUS from McCook campus area
90
FULL-TIME
223 PART-TIME
403 Headcount
152
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DUAL CREDIT CLASSES
MCCOOK
TOTAL STUDENTS
108 Graduates
from North Platte campus area
NORTH PLATTE CAMPUS
274 FULL-TIME
590
NORTH PLATTE
PART-TIME
1103 Headcount
TOTAL STUDENTS
10
464
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DUAL CREDIT CLASSES
IN STATE OUT OF MPCC AREA
38 Graduates
from in state | out of service area
233 Headcount
TOTAL STUDENTS
78 100
FULL-TIME
PART-TIME
23
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DUAL CREDIT CLASSES
77 Graduates OUT OF STATE from out of state
286 Headcount
TOTAL STUDENTS
213
FULL-TIME
34
7
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DUAL CREDIT CLASSES
PART-TIME
11
FALL 2025 ENROLLMENTS
COMMUNITY CAMPUSES
13 Graduates BROKEN BOW CAMPUS from Broken Bow campus area
20
FULL-TIME HALSEY DUNNING TAYLOR ANSELMO SARGENT MERNA ARNOLD BROKEN BOW CALLAWAY BERWYN ANSLEY OCONTO MASON CITY
237 PART-TIME
COMMUNITIES SERVED
298 Headcount
180
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DUAL CREDIT CLASSES
TOTAL STUDENTS
7 Graduates IMPERIAL CAMPUS from Imperial campus area
25
102
FULL-TIME
132
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DUAL CREDIT CLASSES
PART-TIME
COMMUNITIES SERVED
192 Headcount
TOTAL STUDENTS
12
IMPERIAL
WAUNETA HAYES CENTER PALISADE STRATTON TRENTON BENKELMAN
15 Graduates OGALLALA CAMPUS from Ogallala campus area
53
FULL-TIME ARTHUR
142
OGALLALA
BRULE
PAXTON GRANT
PART-TIME
COMMUNITIES SERVED
246 Headcount
89
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DUAL CREDIT CLASSES
TOTAL STUDENTS
6 Graduates VALENTINE CAMPUS from Valentine campus area
CROOKSTON
17
VALENTINE
KENNEDY
WOOD LAKE
BROWNLEE MULLEN SENECA THEDFORD
FULL-TIME
103 PART-TIME
COMMUNITIES SERVED
141
Headcount
93
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DUAL CREDIT CLASSES
TOTAL STUDENTS
13
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY EDUCATION The Business and Community Education (BCE) Department plays an important role in serving Mid-Plains Community College’s 18-county service area by coordinating and supporting non-credit coursework offered throughout the region. BCE serves businesses, industries and community members through a wide variety of programs designed to address evolving workforce and educational needs.
The Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program has also expanded its equipment, providing students with more opportunities to gain handson experience with the types of vehicles and equipment they will encounter in the workforce. The program now has six trucks, including three sleeper tractors and three day-cab tractors, allowing students to train on a variety of equipment and develop real-world driving skills.
The East Campus in McCook has now been serving students, businesses and community partners for more than a year. Since opening, the facility has provided additional flexibility and resources to support program growth and respond to the changing needs of business and industry. Along with MPCC’s other campus locations, the East Campus offers conference and meeting space as well as specialized training opportunities for businesses and industry partners.
Students also have access to a variety of trailers, including two 53-foot van trailers, a 45-foot flatbed trailer, a 40-foot drop-deck flatbed trailer and a 30-foot flatbed trailer with sides. This range of equipment allows students to gain experience with different configurations and prepare for a variety of driving situations.
Through these efforts, BCE continues to strengthen workforce development, promote lifelong learning and expand access to valuable educational and training opportunities throughout the region.
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The program also provides students with the opportunity to train in a truck equipped with a manual transmission. Successfully completing the CDL skills test in a manual transmission vehicle allows students to avoid an automatic-transmission restriction on their CDL, potentially expanding their employment opportunities after completing the program.
YEAR
23-24
24-25
25-26
Total Classes
1,685
1,731
1,599
Students
19,253
17,159
16,053
Total Hours
105,805
98,647
124,041
The Mid-Plains Community College rodeo teams had their most successful season in program history during the 2025-26 campaign. Their success in the arena led to nine student-athletes qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyo, held annually in June. Kahiwa Augustiro made program history by becoming the first threetime men’s all-around champion in the Great Plains Region. Augustiro qualified for the CNFR in bareback riding and team roping. Laynee Ohm also made history by becoming the first MPCC studentathlete to claim the Great Plains Region women’s all-around title. Ohm finished the season with 1,025 points and advanced to the CNFR, where she posted times in all three rounds of goat tying but did not qualify for the short go. Trace Scarlavai, the 2025 CNFR National Champion in bull riding, and teammate Wyatt Davis earned berths to compete at the CNFR in Casper. Both advanced to the championship round but were unable to post qualifying rides in the finals, finishing tied for 10th place. Overall, the men’s team once again captured the Great Plains Region team title, led by individual first-place finishes from Koy McAllister in saddle bronc, Jackson Lunn in bareback, and Trace Scarlavai in bull riding. Jace Richter and Kahiwa Augustiro also teamed up to claim the team roping championship. Two team members, Kahiwa Augusitro and Layne Ohm, were awarded $1,500 Dual Excellence Scholarships from the Wranglers Booster Committee for their accomplishments both in and out of the classroom. Recipients are selected based on grade point average and total rodeo points earned. Additionally, Gracey Rodocker-Peters, Josie Hajny, Sage Glinn, Bailey Barker and Sam Gerlach were awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Kiplinger Foundation, while Austin Camara and Paisley Gallegos earned $500 scholarships from the Phillipsburg Rodeo. Additionally, Aukai Kaai was named the Great Plains Region Coach of the Year for the third consecutive year.
15
BASEBALL | The McCook Community College baseball team set a school record for regular season wins in 2026, finishing with a 29-17 overall record and an 18-10 mark in Region 9. Eight players earned All-Region 9 honors. Tait Anderson was named Region 9 Pitcher of the Year and earned first team honors along with Kon Yoshimura and Dalton Berg. Owen Weales and Nolan Jackson were selected to the second team, while Tyler Reyburn, Hunter Southey and Jakoby Hamer received honorable mention. Anderson also earned NJCAA Division I All-American second-team honors. The team also excelled in the classroom, earning NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honors after posting a 3.54 GPA. Nine players were named to NJCAA All-Academic teams, while 16 earned Region 9 All-Academic honors.
GOLF | The McCook Community College golf team finished sixth among eight teams in the season-ending West District Tournament at Loveland, Colo. in April.
MCC competed in seven tournaments in the fall and five in the spring. Under Coach Grant Case, the Indians’ best finish came on back-to-back weeks in September earning third place at both the home meet Sept. 26 at Heritage Hills and at the York Invitational Sept. 30. MCC also finished in a tie for third place in the spring meet at Heritage Hills March 27. The team included sophomore Cole Graham and freshmen Louis Yin, Joackym Mahy, Jeb Kastens, Braiden Portie and Jalen Collicott. Kastens had the lone tournament win claiming the fall MCC tournament with a three-over 147. Yin recorded MCC’s lowest scores in six tournaments, Kastens five (they tied twice) and Mahy one. Academically, the team earned a designation from the NJCAA as an “Academic Team of the Year,” with a team GPA of 3.06. Mahy and Yin were named to the Region IX Men’s All-Academic team.
MEN'S BASKETBALL | The MCC men’s basketball team finished
the 2025-26 season with an 18-14 record and fourth place in the Region 9 South standings. The Indians earned the fourth seed and hosted the first round of the Region 9 postseason tournament at the Graff Events Center. MCC opened the tournament with a 103-70 victory over Eastern Wyoming before falling to Laramie County, 88-79, in the quarterfinals. Freshman Djibril Diawara earned All-Region 9 South honors and received honorable mention on the NJCAA All-American team. His 109 made 3-pointers which ranked third nationally. The team earned NJCAA Academic Team of the Year status, with a team GPA of 3.01. Three guys were named to NJCAA All-Academic teams and four were named to the Region IX Men’s All-Academic team. In June, Taylor Shaffer was hired to lead the men’s basketball team after the departure of Dillon Hargrove.
16
SOFTBALL | The MCC softball team had another historic season, finishing with a 54-8 record — the most wins in program history since the team began competing in 2001. The Indians captured the Region 9 championship with a 30-2 record and led the region in runs scored, batting average, home runs, stolen bases and earned run average. For the second consecutive year, MCC entered the NJCAA Division I College World Series in Oxford, Ala., as the No. 16 seed. The Indians once again finished among the nation’s top 12 teams after defeating several higher-seeded opponents. Five players earned All-Region 9 honors. Sophomore Paige Warren was named Region 9 Player of the Year, while Hannah Schneider, Lyndsay Keogh and Josie Wright earned first-team honors. Brooklynn Gillen was named to the honorable mention list. Head Coach Mike Mendenhall was also recognized as one of 16 junior college coaches to receive a district Coach of the Year award. The honor was presented during the NJCAA Division I College World Series banquet at Big Bill’s Garage, located in the infield of Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala.
VOLLEYBALL | The MCC volleyball team finished the 2025 season with a 12-16 mark and an 8-6 record in region play.
With the expansion of the Region 9 field and restructuring of the postseason tournament, the Indians did not qualify for the postseason. Two players earned All-Region 9 South honors. Sophomore Charlee Russick and freshman Leia Young were both selected to the second team. Academically, the team was recognized by the NJCAA as an Academic Team of the Year sporting a 3.62 GPA. Nine players were named to the NJCAA All-Academic Team, and 13 were named to the Region IX All-Academic Team.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL | The MCC women’s
basketball team finished the 2025-26 season with a 16-16 overall record. The Indians placed fourth in the Region 9 standings and hosted the first round of the Region 9 postseason tournament.
MCC opened the tournament with an upset of Casper, which had won four consecutive Region 9 titles, before falling to Western Wyoming in the quarterfinals in Rock Springs, Wyo. Two players earned postseason Region 9 honors. Sophomore Laia Izquierdo Altimira was selected to the All-Region 9 South team, while sophomore Johanna Gerlach was one of five players named to the South All-Defensive Team. Izquierdo Altimira was also selected to the Region 9 All-Tournament Team. Academically, the team earned NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honors with a 3.33 GPA. Six players received All-Academic Team recognition, and eight were named to the Region 9 All-Academic Team.
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VOLLEYBALL | The volleyball team finished its inaugural season competing at the NJCAA Division I level with a 16-16 overall record.
The Knights closed out the regular season on a strong note, going 8-2 over the final month to secure a spot in the Region IX postseason tournament. NPCC opened postseason play with a sweep of Central Wyoming before falling to Northeastern and Laramie County to finish their season. Individually, Makenna Stephenson earned All-Region 9 First Team honors, while Kiley Kearney and Nya Lual were recognized with All-Region 9 Second Team and All-Tournament Team honors. Academically, the team was recognized by the NJCAA as an Academic Team of the Year sporting a 3.16 GPA. Seven
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL | The women’s basketball team wrapped up its first season competing at the NJCAA Division I level with a 10-19 overall record, including a 7-7 mark in Region 9 play. The Knights finished the season strong, going 5-3 over the final month to earn a spot in the Region IX postseason tournament. NPCC held the lead at halftime in its opening round matchup against Central Wyoming but fell 71-58 to conclude their season. At the conclusion of the season, Aliyah Herron earned All-Region 9 Second Team honors, while freshman Jasmine Gilbert was named to the All-Region 9 All-Defensive Team.
MEN’S BASKETBALL | The men’s basketball team closed out the regular season with three straight wins, earning the opportunity to host the opening round of the Region 9 postseason tournament.
The Knights took advantage of the home court advantage, defeating Central Wyoming in the opening round before falling to Northwest College in the second round to conclude the season with an 18-13 overall record. Individually, Brady Kennison earned All-Region 9 First Team honors, while Justus Michael was named to the All-Region 9 Second Team. Academically, the team earned NJCAA Academic Team of the Year honors with a 3.37 GPA. Denis Rocha, John Sims IV, Tanner Hebblethwaite and Sedrick Nari all received NJCAA AllAcademic Team honors.
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MEN'S GOLF | The golf team finished their third season, with four golfers under the direction of Interim Head Coach Mitch Carter. The team would compete in 11 golf meets, including the West District Championship where they would finish 7th in team standings. Leading the way at districts was Layne Smotzer with a three round score of 224 (+8) to finish 10th in individual standings. His opening round of 72 was his best in the competition. Teammates Simon Capocci (+26), Darin Neben (+48) and Chandler Frahm (+52) rounded out the scoring, all finishing the full tournament.
WOMEN'S GOLF | The golf team finished their second season, competing in the spring season with five golfers on the roster.
Interim Head Coach Mitch Carter guided them through the second half of their season as the Knights competed in 11 events total. North Platte took four golfers to the Plains District Championship. Sophomore Delaine Mize led the Knights with a two-round score of 207 (+65), while Iryana Frahm (+71), Esperanza Mendoza-Rama (+71), and Zoey Oatts (+81) followed finishing both rounds of the tournament.
SOFTBALL | North Platte Community College softball opened a new chapter during the 2025-26 season, competing in the NJCAA Division I classification for the first time. Mark Franzen returned for his second season at the helm, with a 17 student-athletes on his roster. The Knights opened the season by earning their first victory in the second game of a doubleheader against Dakota College at Bottineau. A few weeks later, NPCC recorded its first Region 9 victory with a win over Trinidad State. The Knights finished the season with a 3-39 overall record and a 1-31 mark in Region 9 play.
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History of MCC Founded in 1926
McCook Community College, founded in 1926 as McCook Junior College, was the first twoyear institution in Nebraska. McCook citizens and business owners believed that a higher education presence in the city would be a great benefit. The Superintendent of the McCook Public Schools, J.A. True, served as the college president, and MJC opened with eight faculty members. Registration was held on September 6, 1926, with classes meeting on the second floor of the YMCA building. The first graduating class, in 1928, consisted of 25 students. During the early years of the junior college movement in Nebraska, the State of Nebraska had not provided the necessary permissive legislation to establish junior colleges. MJC kept its doors open until both the State Department of Education and the University of Nebraska gave full accreditation to the college in 1931. In September 1935, McCook Junior College moved from the YMCA building to Cecil McMillen Memorial Hall. The adjacent athletic field was completed in time for the fall football campaign in 1935 (although MJC played football and basketball from its inception in 1926). The original name was Kelley Bowl, after Mr. John G. Kelley, but it was later changed to Weiland Field in honor of Frank 20
M. Weiland. In September 1939, McCook Junior College opened another new facility, an auditoriumgymnasium-classroom complex, later named True Hall after the college’s first leader, J.A. True. During World War II, McCook Junior College met the demands of the period by allowing students to meet the two-year graduation requirement by attending one full year and two summer sessions. The speedup program was designed to serve the needs of the young men facing induction into the armed forces. Brooks Residence Hall, named after former MJC President and Nebraska Governor, Ralph G. Brooks, was originally completed in the spring of 1960. In the spring of 1990, Brooks Residence was doubled in size with the addition of a new wing that increased the housing capacity to 140 students. The student center, known as the Wigwam, was opened in the fall of 1966. Tipton Hall, named in honor of Gladys Tipton, was opened in 1969 and provided music and maintenance facilities. That building was demolished in 2025 with most of the programs housed in the new East Campus facility. The von Riesen Library named after Ralph von Riesen, and Barnett Hall, named in honor of the Barnett family, were opened in the spring of 1972. The Wrightstone Fine Arts Building, named after
Pearl Wrightstone, was opened for classes in the spring of 1976. In 1967, McCook Public School Board District No. 17 approved independent administration for McCook Junior College and appointed A.W. Kuper as president. In the spring of 1971, McCook Junior College was separated from the McCook Public Schools and became a political subdivision, thus acquiring its own school board and the authority to tax. Walsh-Brady Hall, named in honor of Mary Walsh Brady and her uncle, Patrick Walsh, was opened for classes in the fall of 1987. After decades of debate about upgrading MCC’s out-dated gymnasium, construction of a 54,000 square-foot, two-story facility began Oct. 11, 2011. It became the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center and opened in August of 2012 with the building dedicated in 2014 and taking on the Graff name. This center upgraded MCC's sports infrastructure from True Hall (built in 1939) into a state-of-the-art, regulation complex serving as the primary court for MCC men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball. The main gym can be configured into two regulation-sized courts and an auxiliary gym allows for a third regulation court for tournaments. The auxiliary gym also allows for suspended indoor batting cages to provide flexibility for baseball and
softball training during inclement winter weather. The facility has a modern cardio/weight fitness room, a walking path for the public, coaches’ offices, ten locker rooms, and an advanced athletic training room with a VIP skybox and conference room overlooking the playing area. In 2015, MCC was gifted a historic property that was formerly known as the Elks Club from Perry and Vicky Case. After several years of study and community input, plans moved forward with a two-level, 29,000-square-foot building situated on 14.5 acres. A formal brick-breaking was staged in July of 2023 to gut and upgrade the facility at the facility located at 905 E. Seventh Street and turn it into what is known as MCC’s East Campus. The $11.3 million facility serves as the regional epicenter for workforce training, with a heavy emphasis on health occupations including first floor general-purpose classrooms, distance learning setups, a large event space, and the Business and Community Education department. The lower level is known as the medical wing, built for the college’s healthcare pipeline, housing Nursing and EMP service training facilities featuring “Next Generation Technology” including a virtual ambulance box for paramedic students, and a "mock apartment" designed for home-health aid practice. East Campus opened in January of 2025. 21
FINANCIAL DATA State Aid 27.9% State Aid - Early Entry 1% Community College Future Fund 53.5%
2025-26 REVENUE BY SOURCE
2025-26 EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM CLASSIFICATION
Instructional 35% Academic Support 12% Student Services 10% Institutional Support 25%
Tuition & Fees 9.6%
Physical Plant 11%
Early Entry Tuition & Fees 3%
Institutional Tuition Waivers 4%
Business & Community Education <1%
Institutional Early Entry Tuition Waivers 3%
CDL <1%
2025-26 GENERAL OPERATING FUND
Interest & Misc Revenues 2%
YEAR-TO-DATE ACTUAL
ANNUAL BUDGET
% COLLECTED SPENT
State Aid
9,794,490
9,794,490
100.00%
State Aid - Early Entry
546,040
546,040
100.00%
Community College Future Fund
18,738,540
18,738,540
100.00%
Property Taxes
13,823
0
0.00%
Tuition & Fees
3,350,191
3,366,300
99.52%
Early Entry Tuition & Fees
1,655,844
1,220,400
135.68%
Business & Community Education
332,895
303,763
109.59%
CDL
230,526
275,000
83.83%
Interest & Misc. Revenues
1,079,835
762,441
141.63%
$
35,742,184
$
35,006,974
102.10%
Instructional
11,776,889
12,745,824
92.40%
Academic Support
4,094,178
4,464,418
91.71%
Student Services
3,677,289
3,532,530
104.10%
Institutional Support
8,270,809
9,066,129
91.23%
Physical Plant
3,865,870
3,990,723
96.87%
Institutional Tuition Waivers
1,746,397
1,561,950
111.81%
Institutional Early Entry Tuition Waivers
1,655,844
1,220,400
135.68%
$
35,087,276
$
95.91%
654,908
(1,575,000)
REVENUES
Total Revenues EXPENDITURES
Total Expenditures NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN FUND BALANCE
22
36,581,974
In support of Strategic Goal #1, a team
including enrollment services, early entry, and systems innovation staff, Kayla Thurman, Lana Stewart, Susan Horne, and Tara Naughtin worked together to create a streamlined way for high school students to see what college offerings are likely to serve them well to take before graduating high school. This workgroup created two academic pathways to make it easier for high school counselors who guide Early Entry students (students enrolled in college credit before graduating from high school) to plan their class schedules. Ultimately, the new Early Entry Academic Plans provide students with a clear path to reaching their academic goals.
For Strategic Goal #2, a problem was
identified in the current processes for scheduling classes that made it difficult to align student- and program-responsive schedules. The administrative assistant for academic affairs, Jessica Hernandez, and the academic dean, Clint Reading, researched potential solutions to handle academic course scheduling and faculty load monitoring during the registration period to improve workflows. Current processes do not make timely, up-to-date information available to academic deans making decisions about course offerings while registration for classes is in progress. The selected software tool is expected to help proactively identify scheduling conflicts and align course offerings to support students’ suggested course of study.
In support of Strategic Goal #3 the director of career services, Amy Sabatka, has begun a research project to help understand the impact of structured work-based learning on the time to employment for community college students. This research is being done through the course of a two-year fellowship in the Nebraska Strategic Data Leadership Network. The creation of a guide for employers interested in creating student sponsorships is nearing completion, an effort led by the director of institutional advancement, Haven Smith.
Within Strategic Goal #4, the marketing
team increased the MPCC social media footprint by launching a TikTok account, creating new academic program videos, and launching the MPCC podcast. New, expanded instructional space was opened with the completion of the new Electrical Technology building on North Platte North Campus. This expands capacity for an academic program that is in high demand. The MPCC director of nursing, Dr. Kathy Harrison, earned approval for a proposal to deliver additional nursing program courses via distance education from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), which makes quality nursing instruction available to more students closer to where they live and work across the 18-county service area.
Strategic Goal #5 was a major focus of the
2025-26 year. An investment was made in several strategies to help promote employee success. All supervisors received training in leading highperformance teams using Gallup Q12 engagement data. Sixteen instructors participated in Faculty Development Program with JNW Consulting in the fall of 2025. Over 200 DISC communication style assessments were provided to employees to learn about their own, and their coworkers’, communication styles and ways in which communication can be improved. The Gallup Q12 Employee Engagement Survey was administered in October 2025 with a 95% response rate, and an overall engagement score of 3.84. Eleven State of the Team meetings were held with a total of over 200 employees to learn about communication styles, consider the Q12 engagement scores of the team, and develop action plans for employee engagement. As a result of these sessions, there are more than fifteen Q12 Team Action Plans in place.
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Transforming lives through exceptional learning opportunities for individual student success.
Mid-Plains Community College does not discriminate based upon any protected status. Please see http://www.mpcc.edu/about/non-discrimination-policy.php