It was a busy few days on the Cowley College campus in Ark City as the school recently played host to community college leaders from all over Kansas.
From July 31 to Aug. 2, the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees and Presidents (KACC) and the Kansas Association of Community College Business Officers (KACCBO) met at Cowley for their quarterly gatherings.
The sessions drew presidents, trustees and business officers from across the state to talk about shared goals, finances, legislative updates and the workforce needs Kansas is facing. It was three days of collaboration, with a little Cowley County hospitality thrown in.
“These quarterly meetings provide an opportunity for community colleges to establish common goals and work together to address the educational and workforce needs of our community,” Cowley College President Dr. Michelle Schoon said.
One of the highlights came during a dinner on Aug. 1, when KACC Executive Director Heather Morgan presented State Sen. Larry Alley, R-Winfield, with a Community College Champion Award. Alley, who has served in the Kansas Senate since 2017, was recognized for his continued support of Kansas community colleges and his work to keep higher education affordable and accessible.
College officials say they were honored to welcome their peers — and proud to see a local lawmaker receive such recognition right here at home.
