SAINTS PERSPECTIVE, SCCC President Brad Bennett
Renewal reminds us of why we’re here and what lies ahead
We have all gotten those emails and texts that notify us it’s time to renew one subscription or the other. Everything from streaming media to insurance policies runs on a cycle like this, and Seward County Community College is no different.
In fact, our new year started over the summer, where we broke records with our enrollment rates on campus and with Saints Anywhere. It was a great opener for academic year 2025-26 and our Wildly Important Goal of increasing enrollment by five percent each year.
We have done it twice already — in fact, we exceeded our goal by 300 percent, two years in a row — and I fully expect us to continue that remarkable success.
Now here we are at the beginning of the fall semester, and I want to share my vision for what’s ahead. I’ll start with what is new from the hard work we have all put in over the summer. Our One Stop Shop in the Hobble Building is now fully furnished, with seating and tables for students, their families, and community visitors. I’m so proud of the way our main administrative and academic building has been transformed over the past three years, and I am eager for everyone to enjoy the results. Look for information about a Town Hall meeting, where the public can experience the One Stop Shop and share ideas about what’s next.
Our student health center is also up and running, as many local schoolchildren and their parents saw this week when SCCC hosted the United Way back-to-school physicals. As students come back to campus, I am proud to assure them and their family members that the Saints will take good care of them, from their safety on campus to their health and wellness.
At the other end of the student health building is Louie’s Lounge, a “third place” for students to use — not their home/dorm room, and not their work/classroom, but an open space available for many uses. There’s a fully equipped kitchen, a movie-viewing room, and study and work spaces. We’re so proud of this project, which will benefit all students, especially those who are unable to leave campus during fall and spring break sessions.
Work continues on our West Campus facility, located west of the intersection of Seventh street and Western Ave. Classroom furniture arrived this summer, CDL students are able to use the property, and we are poised to start work on the second phase of the building’s transformation. It’s going to open so many possibilities for us, and for our community.
Back on the main campus, we also welcome the installation of an updated digital sign near our main entrance. The upgrade offers us greater options for conveying important events and information to the public, as well as our own students and employees. With all the rain we’ve had this week, the lawns are lush and green, and our “front door” to campus looks better than ever.
When you get a renewal notice, if you are anything like me, you ask questions. Is this subscription worthwhile? Is it meeting my needs? What is the price, compared to other ways I could spend my resources? The answers to those questions tell me whether it’s time to renew.
It’s our hope as an institution that upgrades and expansions like these not only serve our needs, but also appeal to potential students and demonstrate the value of what SCCC has to offer. Like anything that is fully alive, SCCC is always in a growth mindset. We know there are always challenges to navigate; we intend to flourish despite those challenges.
Everyone who attended our professional development sessions has decided to renew for another year at SCCC, and I appreciate each of them. Every student enrolled for classes, too, has renewed their commitment to an education that will serve them and their goals.
On the SCCC employee side, now is the time for us to prepare for the students, who also made a decision to spend a year with us. How can we meet their needs? Where can we find opportunities to show them they’ve made a great decision, and their time at SCCC is worth every penny and every minute they spend with us?
I often say our goal should be to get a little better every day. I hope we can renew that appetite for improvement, starting with our in-service sessions. While some might view professional development as a tedious exercise, my goal for SCCC is that each of us leave inspired, encouraged, and energized for the important work we do.
We are in it together, and I am proud to say I believe the SCCC team of employees is unmatched. Let’s have a great year!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College and enjoys the renewal each new day offers. Over the past week, he welcomed new instructors and employees to campus, trimmed a few hedges, and prepared for student move-in day on Sept. 15. Catch him at
