August 2025 Central Connection
August 6, 2025
Apprenticeship program lists successes
Partnerships with government, companies and high schools form the framework for Central Community College’s registered apprenticeship program (RAP). Their common goal is to develop and prepare the future workforce.
Catrina Gray, CCC apprenticeship director, said the program had the following successes over the past year:
- Sixteen apprentices earned certificates, diplomas or degrees.
- Ben Musick became the first apprentice to complete two programs, one in customer service tech support and the other in information technology specialist.
- Breadyn Ramer became the first high school apprentice to complete a CCC RAP. He began his apprenticeship when he was 16 years old at the Hanny Arram Center for Success in Kearney. The college also is working with Columbus, Columbus Lakeview and Doniphan high schools.
- A CCC mini-grant allowed RAP to host three Apprenticeship Appreciation Days, which gave the apprentices an opportunity to share their experiences and build a stronger sense of community.
- The 2024 Elevate summit drew 150 employers and educators. The 2025 Elevate summit will be held Nov. 18 at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney.
Gray said that since 2021, a total of 235 applications – 140 current students and 95 new students – have been submitted to RAP. Forty-four of the 140 current students and 37 of the new students successfully transitioned into apprenticeship roles.
Sometimes the reason for not following through with an apprenticeship was a lack of a company or position. Other reasons had to do with the students themselves, so Gray and apprenticeship coordinators Lucas Wieser in Columbus and Paulina Ortega in Grand Island took success coach training to better support them.
“Some need more connection with others. Some need time management skills or ways to talk with their supervisor,” she said. “We’re with them from the beginning so we can help them be successful.”
She added that the impact of registered apprenticeships extends beyond the student and workplace to the entire community.
“We’re raising awareness about the value of registered apprenticeships and celebrating the individuals and employers who make them possible,” Gray said. “These efforts help build a more connected, skilled and future-ready workforce across our region.”
Department awards $1.53 million TRIO grant to CCC
Central Community College has received a $1.53 million TRIO Student Support Services grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The TRIO program provides additional resources to low-income and disabled individuals as well as students who are the first in their family to attend college. Krynn Larsen, CCC’s TRIO area director, said the goal is to help them overcome barriers and achieve their educational goals, whether that is earning a degree from CCC or transferring to a four-year college or university.
CCC received its first TRIO Support Services grant in 2000 and is required to apply for its renewal every five years. “This grant aids in access to higher education and student achievement through one-on-one support of TRIO students along their educational journey,” said Jessica Rohan, CCC’s grant director.
CCC can accept up to 186 students each year. There are about openings each year for about 65 new students to replace those who have graduated or transferred. Larsen estimates the TRIO program has served more than 1,600 students in the past 25 years.
The highpoint for Larsen is “seeing the successes. I don’t necessarily work with the students, but as the data person, the numbers show me that the program is working.”
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| The Library Resouce Center's homescreen. |
A place to find books and more
What’s not to like about a place where you can settle down in comfy seating with a drink or snack and study or take a break?
At Central Community College, that place is the Library Resource Center (LRC).
“We’re one college library with four branches,” said Michelle Setlik, associate dean of business.
The Columbus, Grand Island, Hastings and online branches contain physical books, DVDs, newspapers, and magazines as well as databases and online resources for both academic studies and entertainment.
“We have a nice fiction collection as well as physical and digital magazines and local and national newspapers,” Setlik said.
They also have children’s and young adult books and audiobooks.
CCC students and employees can easily search for physical, audio, and ebooks in the LRC catalog.
“When students come back this fall, they’ll find the search for books is a lot simpler,” Setlik said. “They no longer have to do up to three searches. One search will cover all (CCC)branches.”
If CCC doesn’t own a book, a student or employee can ask for it through interlibrary loan or it can possibly be added to the Libby ebook collection.
But as the LRC motto states: “We are more than just books.” The LRC collections also include puzzles, games, mindfulness activities, and DVDs.
“Not all the videos are academic,” Setlik said. “We also have movies.”
Digital services include Libby, a free app that allows users to borrow ebooks and audiobooks; Kanopy, a video streaming service for ad-free films; EBSCO academic databases; and NebraskAccess databases for academic use.
“Our LRCs are great for studying or taking a mindfulness break,” Setlik said. “When people see what all we have, I think they’ll be surprised.”
LRC supervisors speak
Central Community College’s learning resource center supervisors want to see you! Here’s what they had to say about their location:
The Columbus branch offers a user-friendly, accessible and comfortable experience for all library users. Beyond our materials and services, the Columbus LRC space is perfect for meeting with students or colleagues, hosting an event, or getting work done away from your usual workstation.
– Shannon McDonald, Columbus Campus
The Grand Island library is a great place where students can de-stress, recharge, connect and get one-on-one research help.
– Lisa Mount, Grand Island Campus
We are in a new location and have moved to the Dawson Building. We offer excellent services, and a coffee bar is available for students, faculty, and staff. We have McNaughton lease books, which include current nonfiction and fiction titles. We also have DVDs, children’s books and graphic novels. Our LRC is a quiet place to read and study.
– Sherrie Dux-Ideus, Hastings Campus
Explore more at https://libguides.cccneb.edu/libraries.
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| Retiring from CCC are (from left) Dan Deffenbaugh, Joni Schlatz and Pat Stange. |
College, CCC Foundation personnel retire
Dan Deffenbaugh
Dr. Dan Deffenbaugh of Hastings has retired as associate dean of arts and sciences, a position he has held at Central Community College-Hastings since 2018.
Prior to joining the CCC staff, he was a philosophy and religion professor and department chair at Hastings College. He previously had taught philosophy and religion at Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn., and at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Deffenbaugh earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and religion from Hope College in Holland, Mich., and master’s and doctoral degrees in construction theology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.
He serves on the Willa Cather Foundation Board of Governors and is active in the First Presbyterian Church in Hastings.
Joni Schlatz
Joni Schlatz of Doniphan has retired as a health information management systems instructor at Central Community College-Grand Island.
Her career at CCC staff began in 1988 at an adjunct instructor at the Hastings Campus. She was promoted to a full-time position in 1990 and transferred to the Grand Island Campus in 2019. While at CCC, she has served as a business technology and personal development Instructor, cooperative education job developer, business and industry trainer, and pre-release instructor.
Schlatz graduated from Wilcox High School and went on to earn an associate of applied science degree in health information management from CCC, a bachelor’s degree in education with endorsements in business and physical education from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and a master’s degree in education with a vocational certification from Chadron State College.
Her previous employment includes teaching vocational business and serving as FBLA sponsor for grades 9-12 at Alliance High School. She also was an assistant volleyball coach and freshman basketball, track and tennis coach.
Outside of CCC, Schlatz has been involved in numerous family and community activities.
She and her late husband, Stuart, have three daughters and two granddaughters.
Pat Stange
Pat Stange of Hastings has retired as operations director at the Central Community College Foundation.
She joined the foundation staff in 1995 as a work-study and later moved into a part-time position as CCC alumni director. In 2006, she was promoted to full-time status and served in several positions before becoming operations director. That final position has given her an opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the foundation, including fundraising and events.
Prior to CCC, she was a stay-at-home mom and day care provider.
She is a graduate of Centura High School who went on to earn an associate of applied science degree in accounting and a diploma in data processing from CCC.
She and her husband, Marty, have a daughter, a son and two living grandsons. Her retirement plans include gardening and attending her grandsons’ activities.
Employee news
Administrative Office
Brian McDermott is shifting from college effectiveness and research director to quality technology instructor at the Hastings Campus. His replacement is Fran Davis, institutional research coordinator.
Columbus Campus
Alicia Cazares has been promoted from part-time to full-time teacher’s aide.
Carri Mowrey, administrative assistant in the facilities management department, has resigned.
Larry Reha has retired as a custodian.
Mary Ann Podraza Kucera, 90, of Osceola died July 20 at the Good Samaritan Society in Osceola.
Services were July 24 at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Osceola. Inurnment will be in the Osceola Cemetery at a later date.
She was born on a farm near Duncan on July 7, 1935, to John and Adelaide (Jarecki) Podraza.
She worked for Trans World Airlines before joining and living in the St. Joseph’s convent in Milwaukee, Wis., for 13 years.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Alverno College in Milwaukee and had a long career in nursing. When Platte College opened in 1969, she was an original nursing instructor.
Survivors include two children, a sister and four grandchildren. Preceding her death were her parents; husband, Bill; and three sisters.
Dubas Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Annie Jeffrey Thrift Shop or St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in Topeka, Kan.
Grand Island Campus
Madison Bowden has joined the staff as a custodian.
Kevin Hartshorn has resigned as dean of student success and enrollment management.
Hastings Campus
New employees include Samanga “Sam” Amarasinghe, business administration instructor; Nick Durgan, electrical maintenance technician; Chris Junker, electrical technology instructor; and Jennifer Stratton, transportation lab assistant.
Brad Dobesh, facilities management director, has earned a master’s degree in business and professional communication from Bellevue University.