BROKEN BOW—Board members and staff made their way to Broken Bow on Wednesday night for the monthly work session and meeting of Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC). Board of Governors meetings are usually held in North Platte or McCook, but Area Dean of Enrollment Management and Interim VP of McCook Community College and Student Affairs–Kelly Rippen–said it is nice for board members to visit other campuses and see how the decisions they make during meetings turn into action.
“It’s nice because we want to go to each of the campuses and we want to be involved in the communities so it’s nice for us to be up here and, you know, just kind of celebrate the campus, celebrate the community while we’re up here,” Rippen said.
MPCC staff and board members also had the opportunity to tour the new 3,500-square-foot technical shop that opened in April.
“A lot of times you know they look at numbers or they’re looking at proposals, this gives them a chance to see the finished product too and then just get up here and see the community and see how much its grown,” Rippen said.
Rippen said enrollment numbers are looking good for next year but are down 5-6% from last year at this time, but within 2-3% of where they want to be on a five-year trend. She said she has also seen an increased demand at the community campuses (Broken Bow, Valentine, Imperial, and Ogallala).
During Wednesday’s meeting, the Board heard from Nebraska Community College Association Executive Director Greg Adams about legislative activities, approved the first reading of policy amendments, and unanimously approved a three-year contract for President Ryan Purdy at $230,000 per year, a 1.5% increase in compensation, and to move the retirement match to 9%, consistent with all other Mid-Plains employees.
“Ryan has the exact representation, the ownership of a 20,500 square-mile surface area with seven campuses, over 900 employees that run a $40 million budget on an annual situation. If that budget is out of place or out of compliance or those kinds of things, it’s his responsibility,” Area Vice President of Public Information and Marketing Chuck Salestrom said.
“I couldn’t do my job without the great people that I have around me. And it goes from the custodial staff, the classified staff, the faculty, administration, community campus coordinators, and my administration and the board—it’s not a one-man show. It’s the whole team collectively working together so I appreciate it. I appreciate the board’s support and their confidence in me to continue to lead it. It’s been a fun and quick six and a half years so far and I look forward to several more,” Purdy said.
The Board moved to adjourn at 8:12 p.m. The next Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 25 in McCook.
