The War: The Story of One Rural College's Battle for Survival

Abstract

This paper intends to describe the recent experience of a small, rural, two-year technical college. After four decades of success, the college had found itself in a difficult situation with a substantial loss in enrollment and diminished state and local support, coupled with low campus employee morale. In response, the college team closed ranks and rallied in what has become quite a proactive and successful effort to reinvent itself. After nearly six years of working to correct a number of issues that had led to decline, the college gained a general sense of stabilization, made advances in existing and new academic programs and technical innovation, dramatically increased diversity, and enhanced student life opportunities with the addition of an array of successful athletic programs. The college has seen significant increases in enrollment, state and national recognition for technical initiatives, and a collectively positive sense of the future.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Guy E. Mills

Guy E. Mills received his Ed.D. in Higher and Adult Education from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He has considerable experience throughout his career in working and advocating for rural schools and communities. He served as a Superintendent, K-12 Principal, High School History Teacher, Professor of Education, teaching School Law, Special Education Law, and Administrator preparation courses, Special Education Mediator, Dean of Education, and Associate Provost. He is now in his sixth year serving as President for Northwest Kansas Technical College in western Kansas.