SAINTS PERSPECTIVE, SCCC President Brad Bennett
Time flows a little differently in higher education than it does in everyday life, so I am thinking a lot about “last year” at Seward County Community College even as we tackle the first semester of “this year.” It’s an interesting exercise and — in the case of 2023-24 — deeply rewarding.
That’s because the academic year we wrapped up in July was one of the best I’ve ever experienced. At a time when many in higher ed are feeling a slow, cold panic about the future creep in, SCCC was heating up to break records in enrollment and operations. Quite simply: We had an amazing year.
As we prepared our annual report, it was difficult to choose where to begin. What should we focus on? The list of accomplishments felt overwhelming. The College’s Annual Report, which will be released Sept. 21, at the 30th annual SCCC Foundation party auction, revisits the many highlights of 2023-24. It also paints a vibrant picture of the future, which is bright.
I credit much of this to a dynamic, crowd-sourced Strategic Plan we rolled out in 2022. The document was not a dull stack of pages in a three-ring binder, but a reflection of hours of interviews and focus groups. More than 300 people on campus and in the community contributed to the plan. In the end, we identified four main directions for the college:
Student Success. This ranked first, as it should, because none of us would be employed if the students weren’t here to be educated. SCCC has long prioritized student success, and this year we went a step further, analyzing what students themselves want, need, and expect. It’s their definition of success that means the most. Our expansion of online classes, certificates and credentials, and attention to the whole person — not just the student enrolled in a class — equip us to do right by every Saint who joins the family.
Institutional Growth. Every homeowner or business knows that taking care of something requires attention to maintenance … and much more. It’s critical to think long-term, to plan ahead, and to pivot when opportunities arise. During the past year, the College expanded its geographical footprint, its fiscal resources, and its educational offerings. Oh, and did I mention our team exceeded the Wildly Important Goal of increasing student enrollment by 5 percent each year for the next five years? SCCC enrollment in 2023-24 grew by 14 percent.
Communications. Think about how much society and communications have shifted in the past five years. During that time, people have changed how we obtain our news, how we talk to others, the channels we rely on to share important updates and information. SCCC is working hard to maintain solid lines of communication internally and with the outside world, through direct means — town hall meetings, phone calls, live events — and new media, from digital advertising in targeted ZIP codes to new markets, to flourishing Instagram and X accounts. The goal is to overcome barriers, whether they come in the form of time, space, or bandwidth.
Community. It’s our middle name, as we often say, and that means we show up when and where you need us. Our team increased participation in civic groups, attended multiple events for school children and the surrounding communities, and did our best to provide meaningful services to the city, county, and region. Through sponsorship, volunteer work, and giveaway T-shirts, SCCC wants to be in the middle of the action.
As I wrap up the year’s survey, I would be remiss to leave out the contributions that came to the College from outside sources. We’re grateful to U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and his team, as well as our Kansas representatives in Topeka, members of KBOR, the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, and local elected officials who worked tirelessly to make the voice of SCCC louder and stronger. We appreciate our private donors and sponsors as well, including business and industry partners whose insights, expertise, and fiscal support make all the difference in how we meet the needs of this community.
When you tally the numbers, look at the photos, and hear the stories that resulted from the 2023-24 year, a sense of accomplishment is unavoidable. I’ve enjoyed looking back to highlights, broken records, and photo-worthy moments, and I invite you to join me as you read your own copy of SCCC’s Annual Report — the ACCOMPLISHMENTS issue.
ABOUT THE WRITER — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and an unapologetic number-cruncher. He’s also an accomplished painter, as the Seward Green walls, doors, and handrails all over campus attest. You can reach him at
