Subdistrict 4 Summer 2026 Report

A Message from Trustee Osborne

Hello from your Metropolitan Community College Trustee,

Metropolitan Community College offers a wide variety of classes and programs designed to help students gain the skills, education and credentials needed to succeed in today’s workforce. Whether you are preparing for your first career, changing fields or building on skills you already have, MCC provides affordable pathways to good-paying jobs in nursing, electrical line work, carpentry, auto body repair, commercial truck driving, healthcare, technology, business and many other fields.

MCC–Blue River is home to the Public Safety Institute, which prepares students for careers that serve and protect our communities. Through programs in law enforcement, fire science, emergency medical services and related public safety fields, students receive hands-on training from experienced professionals in state-of-the-art facilities.

Before considering expensive schools, check to see whether MCC offers the same or a similar program at a lower cost. Students can also save significantly by completing their first two years of college through the A+ Program, while building a strong foundation for the future. MCC degrees transfer seamlessly to many outstanding local universities, including the University of Missouri–Kansas City, the University of Missouri, and the University of Central Missouri, helping students move confidently from the classroom to the workforce or on to a four-year degree.

Warm regards,

Holmes Osborne
MCC Trustee-Subdistrict Four

BOARD OF TRUSTEES FEEDBACK FORM

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Trustee Spotlight

VetVenture Inspires 30 Future Animal Care Professionals at MCC–Maple Woods

In January, MCC’s partnership with the Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri came to life through the VetVenture: Animal Science STEM Workshop at MCC–Maple Woods Veterinary Technology. Thirty Brownies earned their STEM Career Exploration Badge while exploring what it’s like to be an Animal Doctor for a Day.

The event introduced the scope-of-practice differences between veterinary technicians and veterinarians.

The participants rotated through five hands-on learning stations led by current Veterinary Technology students. At each 20-minute station, the group examined real X-rays as “Bone Detectives,” matched skulls in the Cranium Collection, listened to heart and lung sounds with stethoscopes, investigated parasites and blood cells under microscopes, and practiced life-saving CPR techniques by running a mock code and bandaging animals.

The workshop showcased the expertise of MCC faculty and students while inspiring the next generation to explore careers dedicated to keeping animals healthy.

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President's Northland Scholarships Awarded

MCC-Maple Woods celebrated four recipients of the President’s Northland Scholarship during a breakfast in honoring students whose essays reflected how the college shaped their futures. Each recipient was awarded a $500 scholarship after responding to the prompt, “How has your experience at MCC-Maple Woods influenced your future?” Finalists were selected by a committee of faculty and staff, with the final recipients chosen by Dr. Ellen Crowe, president of MCC-Maple Woods. During the event, Dr. Crowe and Billy Dunbar, vice president of institutional advancement, spoke before each student shared their essay aloud.

This year’s honorees included Carlee Bracale, Taylor Brice, Lillian Foster and Nori Smith, all of whom highlighted the confidence, compassion and sense of community they gained at MCC-Maple Woods. Their essays reflected career goals in healthcare, veterinary medicine, public service and mental health, while emphasizing the impact of hands-on learning, campus resources and supportive faculty. Together, the recipients shared a common message of growth and readiness to make a positive difference in their communities and future professions.

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Early College Academy at MCC-Blue River

MCC and the Independence School District announced the launch of the ISD MCC Early College Academy, which enables Independence high school students to take classes at MCC-Blue River alongside college students.

Starting this fall, Early College Academy students — high school juniors and seniors — will spend half of each school day (mornings) at MCC-Blue River. The college classes they take, taught by our faculty, will count toward both high school graduation requirements and college credit.

Early College students are expected to enroll in a minimum of nine college credit hours each semester. For 2026-27, just 25 cohort seats will be available to ISD students. Here's more on the Early College Academies already offered at MCC campuses.

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KC Guarantee, a bold new vision for more affordable college access

Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City has launched KC Guarantee, a transformative initiative designed to make college more accessible and affordable by guaranteeing up to two years of tuition-free education for eligible students.

MCC will pilot the KC Guarantee in three Kansas City area school districts — Center, Grandview and Hickman Mills — with plans to invite additional districts, institutions and regional partners in the future. Through the KC Guarantee, students will be guaranteed a paid path through college, positioning each student for a job or transfer.

“We are launching a bold promise to our students and our community,” said MCC Chancellor and CEO Dr. Kimberly Beatty. “The KC Guarantee ensures that cost will not be a barrier to education. This is about economic mobility, workforce readiness and transforming generations.”

The KC Guarantee is made possible through powerful public/private collaborations, including a $1 million Jackson County (Mo.) Nonprofit Partnership Grant awarded to the MCC Foundation to support the pilot year. MCC will match that investment, creating a $2 million commitment to launch the program. The initiative was also seeded through a major philanthropic investment from Meta’s Kansas City Data Center, one of the MCC Foundation’s largest corporate partners this year. Meta and Great Jobs KC alongside MCC leadership played a foundational role in shaping the vision of the KC Guarantee.

“When Meta comes to a community, we believe in investing in its long-term economic vitality,” said Stef Seger, community development manager for Meta’s Kansas City Data Center. “This partnership with MCC will transform access to education and help build a workforce pipeline that reflects the strength and diversity of Kansas City.”

The goal of the KC Guarantee is to build a network of employers, donors, colleges and school districts offering their own guarantees to a next generation of educated and skilled workers for Kansas City.

Find out how to apply for the KC Guarantee

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MCC-Longview opens state-of-art Automotive Institute and launches a new automotive program

Seven years in the making, MCC’s leadership envisioned modernizing the automotive technology program to expand workforce training opportunities.

In its initial phase, the existing automotive High Technology building was renovated and the collision repair program was expanded. Now after more than a year since its ground-breaking, the new MCC-Longview Automotive Institute combines its academic and corporate training programs entirely in one building, including its new diesel technology program.

The new program is equipped with state-of-the art equipment with ten bays specific to the needs of diesel motor and commercial vehicles, allowing for hands-on learning in this industry specific field. The first program cohort begins in the Fall 2026. 

“For more than 60 years, MCC has set the standard for automotive training and education in our region, preparing more than 9,500 students for careers in the industry,” stated Dr. Beatty, Chancellor and CEO of Metropolitan Community College. “Now with expanded capabilities, open-concept design and modernized teaching labs, MCC is in the position to further its impact even more.”

The new renovated institute includes:

• Dedicated space for each of the three automotive programs
• A second-floor observation bridge overlooking 24 automotive work bays
• Expanded footprint for the Collision program

The project was led by architect firm DLR Group and general contractor McCown Gordon, in partnership with LM2 Construction. The Automotive Institute has an open architectural design inspired by modern auto dealerships.

Many of Missouri’s state and local elected leaders joined MCC staff, faculty and its project partners at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 5, including Congressman Emanual Cleaver, Missouri Speaker Rep. Jon Patterson, Rep. Keri Ingle of MO-District 35 and Lee’s Summit Mayor Beto Lopez to name a few. 



“Today dedication is a huge milestone for the City of Lee’s Summit. We take a lot of pride in Lee’s Summit with workforce initiatives … we would like to be considered the model for workforce initiatives,” stated Mayor Lopez. “This is a huge need for our community and across the country, and to have that here in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, we’re very proud of that, we will be a continued partner as long as I am mayor.”

The MCC-Longview Automotive Institute is the fifth and final building of the Path Forward Capital Campaign led by the MCC Foundation, and it completes the second and final phase of the campaign. The mission of the Path Forward Capital Campaign is to strengthen MCC’s workforce pipeline of local talent by adding scholarships, enhance programs and state-of-the-art facilities. 

“We will continue to tackle the region’s economic and workforce challenges with new programs, new buildings and partner with employers to fill in industry and talent gaps,” stated Dr. Beatty.

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MCC Welcomes the World Cup

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MCC Raises Record $462,000 at 2026 MLK Scholarship Luncheon

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Metropolitan Community College Celebrates First-Ever Bachelor’s Degree Program

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Congratulations to the MCC class of 2026