Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees to address leading up to the Nov. 7 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to Johnson County residents.
Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question. (Note: This is an open ballot race in which the top three vote-getters will be seated.)
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
JCCC is in the early stages of forming what it has called a regional collaboration with other local entities to offer training for future workers at Panasonic’s new electric vehicle battery plant being built in De Soto. This is maybe the most visible way in which JCCC is trying to train students for careers right out of college. How else would you like to see JCCC have a role in developing Johnson County’s future workforce?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
Greg Mitchell
Johnson County Community College is already offering a wide-range of course offerings for workforce development and continuing education. The marketplace needs for skills are likely to change significantly over the next few years. JCCC is working with employers (and future employers) to develop programs to help train for the workforce of the future. As a trustee, I would be supportive of expanded outreach programs that seek-out employers and skill-seekers to assess current programs and to develop new programs.
Johnson County Community College, and indeed all post-secondary institutions, need to be nimble and creative in program development. As additional employers consider moving to Johnson County, especially in the manufacturing and energy sectors, organizations like JCCC will need to be more involved in the economic development discussions and negotiations, along with municipal and state agencies. Training needs and workforce development program needs should be a part of those economic development discussions.
Workforce development programs need to respond and scale to the needs of employers, and they must look forward with an eye on emerging trends. This is challenging because it requires strong assessment and analytical skills and, again, insight into economic development activities. As a trustee, I would be supportive of activities to enhance workforce development programs. And importantly, I recognize that this is an ongoing process which must be supported consistently and prudently by the Board of Trustees.
Ken Selzer
The College can elevate its workforce training efforts to make a much greater impact on economic development in our county and on students.
It starts with better matching the workplace skills that students are taught with the needs of the employer and business community. It also means creating a more seamless transition for students from the college to four-year university education.
Many educational institutions, especially community colleges, readily see the benefit of dual employment and educational programs. Structured programs providing both work and education encourage retention, faster learning and higher graduation rates. They also provide an incentive for the student to stay in the local work force upon graduation.
The college has not aggressively pursued a variety of readily available apprenticeship or cooperative programs in this area. These programs have been encouraged by the Kansas Board of Regents and are now being pursued by other colleges. There are federal and state funds available for this purpose that have gone untapped.
There is so much more the college could do to be a bigger factor in the economic development of our county and region. I look forward to helping it become more innovative and more forward thinking, while at the same time ensuring the academic success and workforce readiness of our students.
Laura Smith-Everett (incumbent)
This is an ongoing discussion with our Board of Trustees. We are an integral part of our local economy. Our campus hosts the local Police Academy, EMT and so many other programs that provide an educated and trained workforce for our area employers.
One of my favorite unsung divisions is our Career and Technical programs that include Welding, Automation Engineer Technology, Automotive Technology, Electrical Technology, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology and Plumbing. These programs are bursting at the seams and get students into the local workforce in record time.
As the workforce changes and adapts to more AI-driven technology, I imagine we’ll need to grow programming around that.
Mike Storm
The Johnson County business community relies on institutions of higher education to prepare our students for real-world careers. This is why I would like to see JCCC better emphasize its career preparatory programming. This could include expanding access to internships, job shadowing and other on-the-job training opportunities.
I would also like to see a more visible on-campus interview process that directly connects employers to students who are actively seeking employment. I would also like to direct additional college resources toward seeking out employers who may be willing to provide internships and other career development opportunities to JCCC students. We can always do more to give JCCC students an edge in today’s economy.
Cindy Green
The College’s Workforce Development & Continuing Education faculty and staff work closely with businesses and industries to assess their needs and provide them with a workforce and plan on the future workforce. The college built a new building to house a variety of programs in 2016-17 and those programs are bursting at the seams. The college positions itself to be the first choice along with Johnson County school districts to be the business resource of choice. The college has multiple advisory groups that includes faculty, businessmen and women and students that advise on the needs in curricula to be ready for the future workforce. To understand the needs of the business community, it is important to have their input and these advisory committees help provide that opportunity.
Communication with the local chambers of commerce is also a great resource. JCCC faculty and staff are involved in the chambers to meet business members and to hear feedback on their needs and build relationships. As a trustee, I see a role in connecting the business community with faculty and staff to work together to create programs to meet the needs of the future workforce. Promoting internships with students and the business community provides benefits for both the students and businesses. Also, creating new scholarships funded by businesses and a commitment from students to work at the business after completion of the certificate or graduation is an opportunity to increase the workforce.
Beneé Hudson
JCCC offers Johnson Countians the ability to complete trade-based studies and certifications to get professionals into the workforce soon after graduation or prepare them for career advancement or change. Maintaining and creating quality business and trade programs helps prepare our students for their future. I will work with the business community to create opportunities for placement into high-paying jobs right here in Johnson County while ensuring the investment decisions made in curriculum and technology align with the needs of the evolving market.
Keeping a pulse on technology trends, evolving business regulations and available employment opportunities will be instrumental in keeping JCCC agile and relevant to first-time college learners and career professionals seeking new skills. HVAC, construction, welding and plumbing are all areas of great need in our community today and are disciplines already available at the college.
Where JCCC can support the future workforce is by increasing exposure to these programs by fostering and maintaining relationships with area businesses and better marketing to high school students. What I’d love to see is a dedicated inventor’s entrepreneurial course of study focused on a real-time issues needing to be solved. Allow angel investors to select a winning product or service to invest in and the STUDENT, not just the investor, reaps the rewards of their efforts all while protecting their intellectual property. Not only would we create new businesses/business owners for our community, we’d be potentially creating first-of-its-kind employment opportunities.
Valerie Jennings
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Tomorrow, we will publish candidates’ responses to the next question:
After a significant dip during the pandemic, total student enrollment at JCCC has started to bounce back in recent years but has not fully returned to pre-pandemic levels. What do you think needs to be done to continue growing JCCC’s enrollment and ensuring the college remains an attractive option for local post-secondary students?