Barton Community College continues to train its best employees for future leadership roles, Vice President Elaine Simmons said Tuesday. She introduced the eight graduates of Barton’s second Leadership Institute during the BCC Board of Trustees meeting.
Board Chairman Mike Johnson noted that the college has many long-term employees and someday their positions will need to be filled by others.
“It’s important that we grow from within the institution,” he said. “Leadership Institute is a critical part of the future of the college.”
Nominees for the year-long program must have worked for the college for at least two years and have a recommendation from their supervisor. They meet with institution leaders throughout the institution and gain a deeper understanding of Barton.

Recent graduates said they appreciated the knowledge they had gained and they felt the relationships formed with cohorts would be beneficial.

“I learned how much Barton invests back in others,” said Stephanie Joiner, English instructor and athletic mentor.
“The Institute is like a graduate course in Barton,” said Jonathan Dietz, housing coordinator.
“It was a tremendous experience for all of us,” said Lindsay Holmes, who directs the Hazmat programs at Barton’s Grandview Plaza campus. This year’s syllabus included a trip to Grandview Plaza. “It was an opportunity to learn from good leaders with different leadership styles.”
Other LI graduates were Brandon Steinert, director of public relations; Peter Solie, communications instructor; Janet Balk at Barton’s Fort Riley campus; and Kathy Kottas, director of the nursing program.
Now that two classes have completed the course, Simmons said, both groups will meet quarterly to “keep this good momentum going. Just like last year, I watched a lot of growth. The future of the (college) is bright.”
Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman praised the work Simmons has done with this project.
“What made the program exceptional was Elaine,” he said. For the 2018-2019 class, the direction of the Leadership Institute will move to Whitney Asher, assistant director for financial aid.

HCL praise
There was more good news Tuesday from Myrna Perkins, director of Barton’s Financial Aid department. The Higher Learning Commission, which accredits the college, provided positive feedback in October, and in January Barton was asked to talk about successful accreditation at an HLC convention.
Out of hundreds of schools accredited by the HLC, Barton was one of only 19 recommended by the Commission to present, she said. Barton was one of five colleges (and only two community colleges) chosen to present on the topic of four-year accreditation.
“If a school is going to be recognized by the HLC, it’s good to be recognized in a positive way,” Perkins said.

Contracts renewed
In action items, the trustees approved a list of faculty contracts for renewal. There were also five non-renewals: Susan Bauer, Stephanie Bishop, Rose Cain and Aimee Burr (part-time) all resigned, and Ovie Cade was non-renewed because of a personnel change.
Fifty-four tenured faculty members’ contracts were renewed, including two part-time employees; and 13 tenure-track employees, including one with a half-time contract, were renewed. Also renewed were contracts for six tenure-eligible faculty. These individuals were granted tenure: Kara Bauer, Abby Howe, Kenneth Kolembe and Lawrence Web, all full-time, and part-time faculty Latoya Hill and Maggie Tracy.
In other business, new personnel were approved. They are: Mark Hunt, mechanical systems technician, Michelle Engel, lead care provider, and Anita Ellison, part-time data specialist for Adult Ed, all at the Barton County campus; and Michelle Rutherford, program support specialist (Occupational Safety and Health) at the Grandview Plaza campus.