Twelve local high school students recently earned technical program certificates through Garden City Community College courtesy of the statewide initiative “Excel in CTE.”
Formerly known as Senate Bill 155, this legislation covers tuition costs for high school students enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) college-level courses in Kansas.
This year, two students completed the 17-credit hour Certificate A in Early Childhood Education through the Excel in CTE program, and 10 other students fulfilled the requirements for the 18-credit hour Certificate A in Carpentry, highlighting the program’s ability to nurture a diverse array of technical skills and interests.
Excel in CTE has not only provided opportunities for high school students to pursue their career interests but has also significantly reduced financial barriers to higher education. The program covers tuition costs for high school students enrolled in college-level career and technical
education (CTE) courses at GCCC.
Moreover, students benefit from waived course fees and free access to online textbooks, making higher education more accessible and affordable.
“Garden City Community College, through its Career and Technical Education courses, is not only providing invaluable opportunities to our youth, but also empowering the workforce,” GCCC President Dr. Ryan Ruda said. “The Excel in CTE program is a testament to GCCC’s commitment to fostering innovation, accessibility, and success in career-oriented education.”
One of this year’s graduates is David Serrano-Perez from Garden City High School. He has shown exceptional dedication and skill by completing the 18-credit hour Carpentry Certificate A and 18 credit hours of coursework toward Automotive and Welding certificates.
“GCCC helped me learn about different trades and decide what I wanted to do after high school,” Serrano-Perez said.
Serrano-Perez plans to continue his education at GCCC by pursuing the Industrial Maintenance Mechanic program.
Additionally, many area high school students utilized the free Excel in CTE opportunities to earn state and/or industry certificates and licenses through GCCC this year. These students included 14 in Cosmetology, 10 in Carpentry, 25 in Automotive, 1 in Emergency Medical Responder/Technician, and 190 in Welding at their local high schools.
GCCC offers a wide range of tuition-free CTE courses on campus, with classes typically scheduled every afternoon from 12:15 to 3:15 p.m. Students can earn college credits and industry certifications in programs such as Allied Health (CNA, CMA), Automotive, Carpentry, EMR/EMT, Industrial Machine Mechanic, and Manicuring.
GCCC also offers select CTE courses online to accommodate high school students, with some available through platforms like Zoom for flexibility and convenience. These tuition-free programs include Accounting, Business Administration, Home Health Aide, Computer Science, Early Childhood Education, and Production Agriculture.
For more information on the Excel in CTE dual credit program at GCCC, students are encouraged to contact their high school counselor or Dawn Tucker, GCCC Dual Credit Coordinator, at [email protected] or 620-276-0441. Additional details are available on the GCCC website: https://www.gcccks.edu/admissions/student_type/dual_credit_student.aspx.
