GCCC Receives USDA Grant to Supplement New Carpentry Program
GCCC
[Garden City, KS] May 12, 2020 – Garden City Community College is the recipient of a $16,000 Rural Business Development Grant for its new fall carpentry program.
This news was presented by GCCC administration during a regularly scheduled meeting of the GCCC Board of Trustees, which met Tuesday.
The grant, awarded by the Rural Development division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will assist GCCC with the purchase of classroom tools and equipment for a new carpentry program which commences Fall 2020.
The hands-on curriculum, an 18 credit-hour certificate program, is designed to be completed in one semester. This will ensure students swift entry into the workforce and assist with fulfilling area workforce needs in the construction industry.
For more information about GCCC’s carpentry certificate visit https://www.gcccks.edu/news/carpentry_certificate.aspx.
State Tax Credits – Anatomage Tables
In other news, trustees voted to approve submission of a tax credit grant application to the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Pending state approval, the tax credit program would provide an opportunity for GCCC to sell tax credits towards the purchase of two or three Anatomage tables to be shared with about a dozen local high schools, according to GCCC President Dr. Ryan Ruda.
Anatomage tables provide three-dimensional, high-resolution mapping of the human body and are generally more precise than traditional cadaver labs.
They also provide students with a hands-on learning environment that allows students to digitally dissect and rotate complex anatomical structures, Dr. Ruda told trustees.
Once purchased, the portable equipment will be loaned to area high schools on a rotating basis specifically in communities with less than 15,000 residents.
“The Anatomage tables allow (students) use an interactive application, similar to having a human cadaver,” Dr. Ruda told trustees, adding that the “hands-on experience” would improve learning for students in remote settings and generating “homegrown talent” for STEM careers for the long-term.
Enrollment Effort
Dr. Ruda also told board members Tuesday that as students wrap up finals this week, the semester concludes with an overall headcount increase of about 70 students compared to Spring 2019.
Despite more students in both physical and online classrooms during Spring 2020, credits enrolled overall saw a .3% decrease versus last spring, per Dr. Ruda.
“Despite what we have worked through and the transition to distance learning, this is a good sign and proud of the work by faculty and staff to keep the withdrawals and loss of credit hours negligible,” he said.
Dr. Ruda reminded trustees that the focus for GCCC staff and faculty moving forward is boosting summer and fall enrollment, both of which are open for new and returning students at this time.
For incoming freshman, GCCC Admissions is currently hosting early registration days through virtual means. New students can sign up at https://www.gcccks.edu/admissions/enrollment_days.aspx. Questions can be directed to admission@gcccks.edu or by calling 620-276-9608.
Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.
