Leaders of Southeast Community College are considering establishing learning centers to reach more areas of the school’s 15-county service area in southeast Nebraska.
SCC has main campuses in Beatrice, Milford and Lincoln. College President Paul Illich says possible new locations may include Hebron, Falls City, Nebraska City and Plattsmouth.
“We’re going to look at a 30-mile radius and do everything we can,” Illich says. “We know we can’t put one in every city, but we’re going to try to put it in the best place to help the most people.”
Illich says he and a team are meeting with community leaders throughout the college’s service area to try and determine the ideal spots.
“Initially, we’re thinking of leasing space and maybe having credit, non-credit, contract training, possibly offer some career academies,” Illich says. “These locations will also give us a more permanent home for what we already have, in terms of area coordinators and training solutions folks.”
He says primary factors in deciding where to locate learning centers include geographic coverage, impact on population, industry and employer needs. Also, they want sites that best offer dual credit potential for high school students. Another factor is connectivity, with fiber optic or internet capability.
By Doug Kennedy, KWBE, Beatrice
