I have recently been reminiscing about my time here at Neosho County Community College. Six years ago, in January of 2003, I walked onto campus as the new president of a college that was in pretty bad shape. Back then I had many people wondering why I would accept a president’s position at, what appeared to be at that time—a sinking ship.

Well—I tend to be an optimist. I saw a College who was down as far as it could go—so?—to me, the only way Neosho could have gone was up! That suited me just fine.

Six years ago NCCC was facing several significant issues.

We were "accredited, on probation" from NCA’s Higher Learning Commission of our regional accreditation agency. We had to prepare for a spring 2004 evaluation visit from the Commission. We had to address nine concerns the Commission had outlined for us rectify.

We had had to raise taxes to pay off the "no-fund-warrants" issued in the summer of 2002, so the College would have some cash in the bank to operate. The budget process and its implementation were in a shambles.

We had a community who held very negative perceptions of the College. People resented the fact that they had to pay taxes for a dysfunctional organization. In fact—many in the community were calling for the College to shut down!

We had a demoralized faculty and staff. A "revolving door" of administrators, mid-level management, and staff had stifled forward movement at the College. This constant turnover is not evidence of a healthy institution moving in a forward direction.

We had not had new academic programs initiated in years. Our student learning outcomes assessment process did not result in changes to the academic enterprise.

We had tiny faculty and staff offices, cramped working spaces, a dark and dingy library, and outdated instructional spaces. We had leaking roofs, bad lighting, heating and cooling systems on their last legs, no air-conditioned CAVE and gym, and an energy-hog infrastructure. After a big rain, water would pool in the plastic covers of our lights—the ones inside the building—not outside!

We had neglected our Ottawa campus, causing them to feel like second-class citizens. Investments in faculty and staff, facility renovation, and new programs and services were meager at the Ottawa campus.

We had a well-meaning Board of Trustees whose hands had been "slapped" by the Higher Learning Commission for their micromanagement tendencies and lack of understanding of what a Board’s role is.

So—what did we do? We rolled up our sleeves, knuckled down, and worked together to move Neosho County Community College in the right direction.

The result?—a college that is the fastest growing community college in Kansas over the last six years—rising from 18^th out of 19 institutions, to 12^th out of 19. We have grown more than 31% in credit hours in that time.

We now are a College that no longer has NCA hanging over our heads. NCA not only removed us from "accredited, on probation" status to "accredited," but they extended our accreditation for 10 years! That is a really, really big accomplishment.

The College’s finances are in much better shape. We paid off the no-fund-warrants and continue to use the local monies generated to move the College forward. Our budget process has improved significantly. We now generate a budget based on actual revenues and expenditures (what a concept!)

The overwhelming majority of our communities feel very positive about the College. I actually have members of the community who were previous "naysayers" come up to me and say they "Really don’t mind paying taxes for the College any more….!" Wow!

The morale of the faculty and staff is great! Our administrative and mid-management staff has been stable. The faculty has developed new academic programs and instructional delivery processes, including computer support specialist, medical assisting, health information technology, an on-line registered nursing program—and I could go on and on.

The student outcomes assessment process has been overhauled and implemented, and is now integral to the College mission. Our outcomes assessment process this year received the national Exemplary Initiatives—Student Outcomes Assessment award from the National Instructional Administrators’ Council.

Our most pressing physical infrastructures were overhauled—with new roofs, new lights, new energy management systems, and added air conditioning in highly used areas. We expanded faculty offices, upgraded classrooms, bought new student tables and chairs, and painted the whole campus!

We are currently working with various partners in the Ottawa area that will result in a newly constructed community center where the various partners work together and share spaces. Neosho County Community College—Ottawa will be joined with a new public library, a YMCA, a large convention center, and an Area Agency for Aging insuring that the Ottawa and Franklin County area have enhanced education opportunities and quality of life.

Our Board of Trustees has evolved into a policy-setting board instead of a micromanaging board. They engage in professional development. They orient new board members (and that is important, since in the last six years there have been 15 different people holding the six positions.) The Board is now a hard-working, forward-thinking, visionary group committed to making Neosho County Community College the premier community college in Kansas!

I have had fun and enjoyed every day of my last six years at Neosho County Community College, and I am looking forward to enjoying many more.

As always, please feel free to ask questions or offer comments at vsmith@neosho.edu.