Garden City Community College is celebrating the accomplishments of local high school students who earned technical program certificates through the statewide Excel in CTE initiative.
Formerly known as Senate Bill 155, the program allows Kansas high school students to take college-level career and technical education (CTE) courses tuition-free.
This year, one high school student completed the 17-credit-hour Certificate A in Early Childhood Education through the Excel in CTE program. In addition, three area high school students completed the 21-credit-hour Certificate A in Construction Technology.
Students from 11 different high schools participated in Excel in CTE courses through GCCC during the academic year.
In addition to earning certificates, many area high school students used Excel in CTE opportunities this year to earn state and industry-recognized certifications and licenses through GCCC programs.
Participating students included three in Construction Technology, 21 in Automotive, four in Emergency Medical Responder/Technician, and 118 in Welding programs offered through their local high schools.
The Excel in CTE program provides students with opportunities to explore career pathways while reducing financial barriers to higher education. In addition to free tuition, students enrolled in eligible courses at GCCC also receive waived course fees and free online textbooks, making career-focused education more accessible and affordable.
“GCCC’s Career and Technical Education courses provide local high school students with valuable opportunities to explore career pathways, earn college credit, and gain hands-on experience before graduation,” said Dr. Ryan Ruda, President of Garden City Community College. “The Excel in CTE program reflects the shared commitment of Garden City Community College and the state of Kansas to making career-focused education accessible and helping students build a strong foundation for future success.”
One of this year’s standout students is Fabian Espinoza of Scott Community High School, who completed 14 credit hours in Industrial Maintenance Technology while still in high school.
“My experience with this program has been great,” said Espinoza. “I’ve received a lot of help from excellent people and gained valuable knowledge and experience here at GCCC.”
Espinoza plans to continue furthering his education in GCCC’s Industrial Maintenance Mechanic program and hopes to pursue a management career with empirical foods.
GCCC offers a variety of tuition-free CTE courses on campus, with most classes scheduled in the afternoons from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Students can earn college credit and industry certifications in programs including Allied Health (CNA and CMA), Automotive, Carpentry, EMR/EMT, and Industrial Maintenance Technology.
The college also offers select tuition-free CTE courses online, with some available through Zoom to provide additional flexibility for high school students. Online class options include Computer Science, Early Childhood Education, Home Health Aide, and Medical Terminology.
For more information about the Excel in CTE Dual Credit program at GCCC, students can contact their high school counselor or Dawn Tucker, GCCC Dual Credit Coordinator, at dawn.tucker@gcccks.edu or 620-276-0441. Additional information is available at GCCC website.
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