SAINTS PERSPECTIVE, SCCC President Brad Bennett
Personal growth coaches often prod their clients into action with the observation, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” When you put it like that, the choice sounds extreme. But there’s a kernel of truth to the concept, and I’ve seen it play out this spring, as Seward County Community College continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
It was plain to see this week, as we cut the ribbon and celebrated the newly-named Conestoga Innovation Center @ West Campus. The interior space of the building purchased more than a year ago has been transformed into classrooms, a spacious lobby and hall — and that’s only the beginning. We are eager to begin work on Phase 2, which will bring diesel technology and adult education to the south and west sides of the building.
However, growth starts small. At SCCC, we use a strategic planning process to advance development and continually ask the question, “How best can we serve our community?” As the current plan wraps up with ribbon-cuttings, program launches, and a record-breaking two years of enrollment growth, we are already at work on the next Strategic Plan.
To get the process started, our cross-campus team conducted a comprehensive survey of faculty, staff, and students to gather valuable input about the values that drive us. We have seen that focusing on shared beliefs and aspirations is a critical part of any project.
The team presented results to our Board of Trustees, resulting in these four values:
Student & Community Centered
Collaboration
Competition
Commitment
These foundational principles will shape our strategic direction moving forward and embody the principles we hold dear.
By placing our students and community first, we orient the college to true service to those around us, whatever their circumstances or needs. All spring, we have celebrated the way community looks on our campus, with posters and social media posts that feature individuals and their definition of what it means to live in community. On our campus, you will see people of all ages and races, and hear many different languages spoken in the halls. At community events, you will find our students interspersed with Saints supporters, whether it is to celebrate a young student’s accomplishment in elementary school, cheer on the ducks at a Chamber of Commerce festival, or provide muscle power for a large event set-up or a newcomer to Liberal who just needs help unloading a truck full of furniture.
Collaboration speaks to our close relationships with business and industry partners, local, regional and state organizations, and of course, each other. Teamwork is not just for classrooms or athletic competitions: it is the way ordinary people do big things. Through our supporters and the SCCC Foundation, we have witnessed some dramatic examples of this over the past year. We also see it in the small things, like the generosity of local church members who welcome our international students to the Thanksgiving table, and send them back to the dorms with plenty of leftovers to keep them well-fed and well-loved.
Competition is a great motivator, and I personally never shy away from it. We want to be good team players with our peer institutions across the state. At the same time, we fully intend to outshine them when it comes to enrollment, student success, grade point average, and even the enthusiasm of our Saints supporters at athletic events. Then of course, there is the internal motivation of trying our best to be a little better every day — and we know, when you compete against yourself, it is always a win.
Commitment at SCCC means we honor our obligations to students, community, stakeholders, and our moral compass. Integrity plays a role in this, as does trust, consistency, and a willingness to listen. The most powerful example of commitment often occurs within a family framework: husband and wife, parent and child, elders to youngsters. At SCCC, we aspire to imitate the best of healthy relationships, honoring our mission and vision. Changing politics, social concerns, and economic challenges may come and go, but SCCC is firmly committed to doing good work today, tomorrow, and into the future.
Now that the seeds of a strategic plan have been planted through the core values, we are hard at work to see the process through.
To ensure broad engagement and meaningful input, we are planning additional focus groups and other opportunities for feedback. This ongoing process will refine our strategic priorities and enhance alignment with our institutional mission.
The full strategic plan is on track for completion and will be available early next fall. We appreciate the continued support of the Board and the wider community as we work to develop a comprehensive and forward-looking plan for Seward County Community College.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and the continued leader in painting all things green. Check out the SCCC Facebook page for photos of his latest project on the parking lot of the Conestoga Innovation Center @ West Campus! You can reach him at
