Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to Johnson County residents.
Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Enrollment: Student enrollment at JCCC has steadily bounced back following a dip during COVID-19 but still remains well short of pre-pandemic levels. What will you do as a board member to continue to push JCCC’s enrollment to grow and make the college an attractive option for prospective students?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
Carlton Abner
High school students make up the fastest growing area of student enrollment. Continuing to demonstrate value and focusing attention on this segment will be crucial to growth.
Undergraduate enrollment is declining and community colleges have been the hardest hit with enrollment falling 15% between 2010 and 2022. Indications are that that trend will continue. Growing enrollment is important. That said, it is clear that equally important will be investing in meaningful experiences aimed at retaining the students we have. We will have to make sure students and the community are seeing the value in what we provide. For the last four years, I have focused on nothing but building meaningful experiences for college students and have had success in decreasing attrition. I have a history of demonstrated success in gaining buy-in on the importance of supportive relationships, inside and outside the classroom, and understanding that meaningful learning experiences are critical to student success.
We will also have to continue to build relationships with area employers and ensure we are adequately responding to workforce needs. As a recent graduate of the selective, ten-month civic leadership engagement program, Kansas City Tomorrow, I am well-positioned to continue this dialogue. Developed and delivered by the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, the Kansas City Tomorrow program focuses economic development, and the KC Rising initiative and has prepared me well to be a valuable contributor on those core issues impacting the college and surrounding community.
Chad Carroll
It is critical that we focus on continuing to increase our enrollment each year. According to the JCCC 2024 annual report enrollment for Fall 2024 was up 9.5% compared to Fall 2023. JCCC currently has an established strategic enrollment plan in place. “The plan provides a framework for projects, initiatives, and priorities for providing service to students, establishes action items that will be used as the basis for continuous improvement, and provides guidance for resource allocation and technology and facilities planning”. I would support this plan along with advocating for sustainably increasing our College Now and numerous workforce development programs. I will also continue to deepen our established relationships with local and regional businesses while seeking out new partnerships.
Jerry Charlton
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Lee Cross (incumbent)
We are back at pre-pandemic enrollment levels as of the most recent fall 2025 enrollment report. While we, like many other higher education institutions, saw a “covid dip” in enrollment, JCCC was better positioned to recover from this national trend because our enrollment declines were decidedly lower than other institutions.
One area where we have continued to serve the community and generate enrollment gains is through our partnerships with local K-12 districts. College Now and Dual Credit high school students now account for about 30% of our total enrollment. Further, we are seeing higher retention of our dual credit student population, with more dual credit students staying at JCCC post-high school graduation.
In addition, our continued focus on workforce development, through credit and non-credit programs, has helped stabilize enrollment while focusing on community need. This includes opening a new CDL Range in Gardner, helping KU and the State bring Panasonic to Desoto, helping train current and future Panasonic employees, and expanding key work force needs in areas such as respiratory care, dental hygiene, and among others in practical nursing (of which program my mother graduated from in 1992). Additionally, we are launching a new Facilities Master Plan to expand our campus in no small part because of the need of our community partners, most especially the medical community.
Retaining students and ensuring student success is a priority. We work to do right by our students, help them succeed, and then they tend to stick around. So, I am proud of our success, and yes we can do better by continuing to engage with our K-12 and workforce partners, as well as looking for other potential growing student populations (such as those looking to bolster current career paths and those looking to change career trajectories). We will continue to offer the range of courses needed for students to successfully transition to 4-year schools as well as courses in career ready programs for folks seeking a more immediate transition into the workforce.
Mark Hamill (incumbent)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Geoff Holton
I believe enrollment will be positively impacted by a couple of things:
1. Investing in innovation and building it into our curriculum so that students at JCCC.
2. Deeper relationships with our corporations. We want to acquire and maintain a seat at their tables to understand their challenges and proactively provide solutions. When we create these paths – corporations, students, and our community all benefit.
3. Get out in the community and meet people where they are. Help them discover the many paths to JCCC and the paths that JCCC creates as you exit with your certification, diploma…
Dawn Rattan (incumbent)
To grow enrollment at JCCC, I would:
- Recruit nontraditional students: career changers, veterans, and working parents to reskill or upskill through targeted outreach and support.
- Expand dual-credit partnerships with high schools to create a stronger pipeline from high school to JCCC.
- Increase enrollment capacity in high-demand trades and workforce programs so students can access pathways to well-paying, in-demand careers.
- Provide wraparound services such as mental health counseling, childcare, and food insecurity programs to help students stay enrolled and succeed.
- Strengthen students’ sense of belonging through clubs, tutoring, and efforts to remove barriers and keep students engaged.
- Offer flexible learning options including hybrid courses, micro-credentials, and other short-term credentials to meet students where they are.
Kenneth Stokes
Did not provide the Post with a response.
