By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Mid-Plains Community College is heading into the fall semester with enrollment trending upward, strong interest in several applied technology programs and a nursing program that has seen significant growth.
MPCC President Ryan Purdy discussed those numbers and several other items approved during Wednesday night's Board of Governors meeting during an interview Thursday morning.
Classes begin Monday, and Purdy said enrollment was running about 15% higher than the same time last year, although he noted the later start to the semester makes direct comparisons more difficult.
Several applied technology programs are already full or nearing capacity.
“Right now, I think the first-year diesel's full, HVAC's full, electrical's full, building construction is nearly full, automotive is nearly full,” Purdy said.
The college's nursing program has also seen a major increase. Purdy said there are about 80 nursing students this year, compared with roughly 30 students last year.
MPCC also saw more than a 10% increase in total full-time equivalent enrollment during the previous fiscal year, driven in part by dual credit enrollment and non-credit business and community education programs. The college is also seeing growth in its international student population, with more than 90 students from other countries attending across MPCC's campuses.The Board of Governors also approved the publication of MPCC's proposed budget ahead of public hearings scheduled for Sept. 23.
Purdy said the college is planning to maintain its 2-cent capital levy and does not intend to increase an operating levy. He said about 85% of MPCC's operating revenue now comes from state income and sales tax dollars under Nebraska's community college funding formula.
The college is also preparing for the possibility of additional reductions in state aid. Purdy said MPCC absorbed its share of a $5 million reduction affecting Nebraska community colleges, amounting to about $420,000 for MPCC. College officials are now reviewing expenses and vacant positions in anticipation that another potential reduction could be considered next spring.
Despite those concerns, Purdy said the college is in a relatively strong financial position, with revenues and expenditures largely in line with projections.Wednesday's meeting also included several approvals connected to workforce training and academic planning.
The board approved a bid for materials for the Building Construction Program's next project house at 1909 Iron Eagle Court. Purdy said moving the program's projects to permanent homes at Iron Eagle has given students opportunities they did not have when houses were built to be moved.
Students can now gain experience with foundations, electrical and HVAC work, sprinkler systems, grading and other parts of the construction process.
“They're going to be able to see a house from start to finish, from bare dirt to a finished home,” Purdy said.
The board also approved JEO Consulting Group for engineering services related to a dedicated CDL and motorcycle training pad on the east side of NPCC's North Campus.
The project is being funded through a $1.9 million federal grant. Currently, MPCC uses portions of existing parking lots for CDL and motorcycle training. Purdy said the dedicated pad will provide a safer, DOT-certified space without having other vehicles moving through the training area.
Another approval was a three-year contract for CourseLeaf CLSS, a scheduling tool designed to help the college identify course conflicts, sequencing issues, prerequisite needs and other scheduling challenges.
Purdy said students likely will not directly interact with the new system, but they could eventually notice changes in when classes are offered as MPCC uses the data to better organize schedules around student needs. He said the tool could also help as the college considers potential future programs, including cybersecurity and radiologic technology.
MPCC also received positive feedback during Wednesday's open forum about graduates of its diesel technology program working in the region.
Purdy said an unsolicited comment about MPCC-trained diesel mechanics highlighted not only their skills, but also their attitudes and retention with local employers.
“We want our students from our local service area to know that there are jobs here, great-paying jobs, and that we can provide the training for them to be successful,” Purdy said.
Looking ahead, MPCC has several events planned as the fall semester gets underway, including a Kiwanis pancake feed for students and staff, the college's Stampede Rodeo in Sutherland and celebrations surrounding the 100th anniversary of McCook Community College.