Western Kansas Community Colleges Sign Collaborative Agreement

Published November 8, 2025

Western Kansas community college presidents, from left, Dr. Harold Nolte (Dodge City), Brad Bennett (Seward), Dr. Ryan Ruda (Garden City), and Dr. Seth Carter (Colby), sign a landmark Memorandum of Agreement at GCCC on Thursday, Dec. 4, to expand educational access, enhance workforce development initiatives, and maximize shared resources. [Photo by Lance Ziesch]

Dodge City Community College (DC3) is proud to announce the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with three fellow Western Kansas institutions: Colby Community College (CCC), Garden City Community College (GCCC), and Seward County Community College (SCCC).

The agreement, officially signed during a legislative luncheon at GCCC on Thursday, Dec. 4, is titled the Western Kansas Consortium Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The collaboration strengthens partnerships among the four colleges and establishes a framework to expand educational access, enhance workforce development initiatives, and maximize shared resources for the benefit of students and communities across Western Kansas and the state.

GCCC President, Dr. Ryan Ruda, said the agreement marks a “bold step forward” for Western Kansas community colleges.

“By signing this collaborative agreement, our four institutions are demonstrating the power of partnership and a shared commitment to strengthening education and workforce development across the region,” Ruda said. “This initiative reflects a forward-thinking approach that embraces creative collaboration, cost-sharing, and resource optimization to better serve students and communities.”

DC3 President Dr. Harold Nolte said he is excited about the new MOA agreement and the opportunities it will create for all involved.

“I see this new agreement as a win-win for everyone,” Nolte said. “It not only allows our four colleges to be more prudent with our resources and spending, but it also helps us provide stronger educational opportunities for our entire region. We are definitely stronger together.”

The MOA establishes a framework for the four colleges to explore collaborative opportunities when appropriate and feasible. Areas for potential partnership include sharing faculty and institutional resources, coordinating purchasing efforts, sharing academic programs and specialized equipment, and developing additional creative initiatives that benefit all institutions and the region.

For more than a century, the community colleges of Western Kansas have each played a vital role in serving students and supporting local communities. Together, GCCC (106 years), DC3 (90 years), CCC (61 years), and SCCC (58 years) bring a combined legacy of dedication to accessible, high-quality education. The agreement reflects a shared belief that these institutions can better serve students and communities when they work together rather than independently.

By strengthening relationships and building new pathways to share expertise, infrastructure, and programming, the four colleges aim to enhance the long-term vitality of Western Kansas. The agreement positions the region as a leader in collaborative, efficient approaches to serving students and supporting local industries.

By Lance Ziesch
DC3 Director of Marketing and Public Relations