Barton Community College moved one step closer to expanding its on-campus welding programs Tuesday when the BCC Board of Trustees approved the proposal.

Mary Foley, executive director of Workforce Training & Economic Development, covered some of the highlights of the proposal. The trustees first received a report about the expansion proposal earlier this month at a board study session.

“The application is ready to go,” Foley said, noting it will be presented to the Kansas Board of Regents on March 17.

The college already offers a 16-credit-hour welding certificate. It plans to make that a 17-credit-hour program and add a 38-credit-hour certificate as well as a program leading to an associate degree starting this fall.

The welding classes will move into the area that previously housed an automotive program, doubling the available space.

Foley noted that BCC Director of Grants Cathie Oshiro wrote the grant applications that helped pay for new equipment, electrical upgrades and other costs.

Students currently enrolled in welding classes will also benefit this semester, Foley said. “The current students will be using their newly acquired welding skills to build the welding booths for the new shop area.”

Personnel

In other business Tuesday, the board approved the following new personnel, all on the Barton County campus:

• Micah Grover – part-time groundskeeper (field maintenance) 

• Jaci Miller – admission secretary and switchboard operator

• Tyler Anderson-Majors – Resident Life assistant coordinator

• Rafael Simmons – head coach for men’s soccer

The trustees also approved a position change for Jenna Hoffman as director of Human Resources. Both this and the head coach’s job are contract positions.