Special interest classes need to be promoted

When you look at the big picture, the enrollment trend is improving at McCook Community College. As of Oct. 15 -- the college's so-called enrollment "snapshot" date -- MCC had 838 students.

The total -- which included 361 full-time students and 477 part-timers -- is up slightly over Oct. 15, 2002, when McCook Community College had total enrollment of 793.

While enrollment at MCC is holding its own, all concerned -- including the college staff, the McCook community and the people of Southwest Nebraska -- can do much better.

The college needs to do a better job of promotion and recruitment, and the people of the area, both young and old, need to make a more conscientious effort to avail themselves of the opportunities available at the college.

Evidence of the vast array of college classes appeared on page 7 of Tuesday's Gazette. All of us, no matter what our station in life, could improve ourselves by signing up for one (or more) of the special interest classes.

Take your pick. Between now and Nov. 15, special interest offerings include the Futuristic Film Series, EMS Continuing Education, Traumatic Brain Injury care, Customer Loyalty, Knitting, "Coping with People Who Exasperate You; Dysfunctional Relationships," Insurance Savvy for New Insurance Buyers, Conservational Spanish, Intermediate/Advanced Microsoft Access, Car Repair 101, and a Painting Workshop with Bob Ross.

By picking and choosing the interests which appeal to us personally, we can expand our horizons. Not only will be helping ourselves, we will also be doing our part to help move the college forward.

But the college staff and administration has to do its part, too. It's not enough to offer classes. The course offerings must be promoted. The word has to get out, but this can't be done in a blah, routine, way. The college educators and administrators need to get excited, and they need to show their excitement by becoming ambassadors of good will and growth for the colleges of the Mid-Plains Area.

McCook Community College, in combination with the Mid-Plains College Area, is one of this area's greatest treasures. Let's get involved. Let's help the college in its quest to serve the educational needs of this area.