June 2025 Central Connection
June 2, 2025
Campus recognizes Broberg, Wilshusen
Two outstanding employees have been honored by Central Community College-Columbus.
Phillip Broberg
Phillip Broberg of Columbus has been named Faculty Member of the Year.
The award is given annually to a Columbus Campus faculty member who displays excellence and innovation in teaching; rapport with students; and institutional, professional and community involvement.
“I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without him,” said a nominator. “I’ve had the privilege of being in his class both last semester and this semester, and math, which has always been my most difficult subject, became far more manageable with his support.”
The nominator continued, saying Broberg “has given me the confidence to believe in myself and strive for excellence. His ability to explain complex concepts clearly and show multiple methods for solving problems has made all the difference.”
He also was cited for always putting the student first, his flexibility and adaptability in his teaching and his leadership in course planning, and revision.
Broberg started as an adjunct mathematics instructor at CCC in 2008 and became full-time in 2011.
He graduated from Columbus High School and began his college education at CCC-Columbus. He transferred to Wayne State College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education.
Prior to joining the CCC staff, he taught mathematics at Columbus Middle School for nine years while earning a master’s degree in mathematics education.
He and his wife, Jill, have three children.
Heidi Wilshusen
Heidi Wilshusen of Columbus has been selected as the Employee of the Year.
The award is presented annually to a Columbus Campus employee who demonstrates dedication, enthusiasm and innovation as well as a rapport with students and other staff members and a willingness to go the extra mile.
“Whether advising students on paths toward future careers, designing activities to help them connect with faculty and build relationships, or coordinating celebratory event to show appreciation, students are always at the heart of what she does,” one nominator said. “Each day, Heidi comes to work ready to hear the ups and downs of our students, their struggles and triumphs, their complaints and anxious worries. She is always there to listen to them with an open ear and heart.”
Another nominator said that Wilshusen “is a natural at building rapport and relationships with students and she carries herself with such grace and respect that I find myself looking up to her and wanting to be like her as a professional.”
Wilshusen started at CCC in 2011 as an administrative assistant in the admissions office and accepted her current position as an academic transfer specialist in 2014.
She is a Columbus High School graduate who went on to earn an associate of science degree from CCC and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Concordia University.
She is a coach for Club Volleyball and other various youth sports and is a Teammates mentor. She and her husband, Ben, have two children.
CCC breaks ground for auto training center
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held May 2 at Central Community College-Hastings for a new automotive careers training center.
The new 42,000-square-foot center, which will move from an 80-year-old building, will be home to the auto body technology and automotive technology programs. Included will be five classrooms, a welding lab, a parts and tools suite, and oils and liquid storage.
“For 80 years, the current building has served both the Navy and Central Community College as a transportation repair hub,” said CCC-Hastings President Dr. Chris Waddle. “Our new building will bring automotive technology and auto body technology programs to the standards of our industry partners and provide our students with a world-class educational opportunity.”
Toby Stepanek, a first-year student in the automotive technology program, spoke to the gathering. While the new facility will be completed after his graduation from CCC, he said the impact of the new building will be huge for future automotive and auto body students.
“Not only will it bring in new students and more, it will also help them advance in the automotive world by making it efficient and give them hands-on experience in the lab,” he said.
The cost of the center is nearly $23 million. The college will provide the majority of funding for the construction along with state-appropriated American Rescue Plan Agency funds. The Central Community College Foundation was tasked with raising $3.5 million.
“I am thrilled to report that with the support of 96 donors, we are 99 percent of the way to the finish line,” said Traci Skalberg, CCC Foundation executive director. “While our tank isn’t quite full yet, a few more contributions will give us the fuel to cross that line.”
Brian Levander, owner and CEO of Levander’s Auto and a member of the executive leadership team for the ACTC, said while the automotive industry is evolving fast and technology has changed the landscape, finding skilled workers remains a struggle.
“We don’t just need people who can turn wrenches,” he said. “We need sharp minds. We need technicians who understand electronics, diagnostics, customer service and are ready to power the next generation of leaders in the field. That’s what this center will do. It will equip, inspire and empower.”
CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall closed the ceremony with these words: “Next year will be our 60th anniversary when taxpayers in 17 counties chose to tax themselves to create the Central Nebraska Vocational Technical School District here in an old Navy ammunition plant,” he said. “The folks that had that vision, I don’t think could have even imagined what it has done in the 60 years since, expanding to 25 counties, thousands of students and now known as Central Community College.”
The new center is expected to be completed in late 2026 or early 2027.
Hospital makes donation to Holdrege relocation
Phelps Memorial Health Center has donated $100,000 to Central Community College to support its move to a new location in downtown Holdrege.
The Holdrege Center will move from the Phelps County Agricultural Center to the former Great Western Bank Building, 424 West Ave., once remodeling is completed.
The nearly 11,300-square-foot facility will feature classrooms, live video rooms, nursing assistant and computer labs, offices and a testing room. Space will also be available for future partner organizations or agencies to share space and collaborate on programming.
Phelps Memorial Health Center states that its mission is to provide exceptional quality and compassionate care to the families it serves.
“We value local education and the positive impact it can have in enhancing the overall well-being of our community,” said Kyle Anderson, chairman of the Board of Directors of Phelps Memorial Health Center. “Supporting CCC’s expansion aligns with our dedication to community development and helps ensure the availability of a skilled workforce in the region.”
“CCC is pleased to continue our decades of service to Phelps County area residents as the communities continue to grow and prepare students for vibrant health, technical and business careers,” said CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall. “We appreciate the investment from PMHC in supporting our mission of maximizing student and community success.”
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Members of Central Community College’s Region 9 softball championship team are (left to right), front row: Coach Danica Schaefer, Haley Johnson of Prague, Ava Steinke of Central City, Lily Krajewski of Waverly, Shayla Sullivan of Grand Island and Coach Caitlin Simon. Back row: Kami Kaskie of Kearney; Claire Kreutzer of Amherst; Jordyn Sheridan of West Jordan, Utah; Delaney Reeg of Genoa; Danica Taylor of Columbus; Braelyn Sindelar of Grand Island; Jordyn Trotta of Columbus; Hannah Dahlke of Columbus; and Coach Addison Kudron. |
SB team cinches championship
The Central Community College softball team won the Region 9 championship with a 7-3 win over North Platte Community College on May 4 in Beatrice.
The Raiders defeated North Platte in the opening game on May 3, 5-4, holding the Knights scoreless over the four final innings. CCC hurler Braelyn Sindelar of Grand Island struck out six North Platte batters.
In CCC’s second game later in the day, the Raiders held off the Southeast Community College Bobcats, 11-10.
In the title game, the Raiders and the Knights were tied 3-3 after the first inning. The bats on both sides were silent until the sixth and seventh innings when CCC scored a run and three runs, respectively. Winning pitcher Shayla Sullivan of Grand Island went the distance in the circle, facing 32 batters.
“We battled all season for this moment and we knew we had the pieces to make this happen,” said CCC head coach Caitlin Simon. “It was just putting it all together and leaving it out on the field.”
Kami Kaskie of Kearney, Ava Steinke of Central City and Danica Taylor and Jordyn Trotta of Columbus were named to the All-Region 9 team. Trotta also was named as the Region 9 Defensive Player of the Year.
Employee news
Administrative Office
Mike Gapp has resigned as environmental health and safety senior specialist.
CCC Foundation
Robert Hausmann has joined the staff as a development director. He will be located on the Columbus Campus.
Columbus Campus
Resigning from their positions are John McKinney, associate dean of career and technical sciences, and Aaron Wrigley, administrative assistant in the training and development department.
Grand Island Campus
Johnny Garcia has joined the staff as an information technology systems specialist.
Resignations include Mugahid Belil, custodian; Diane Smith, nursing assistant and medication aide trainer; and Ulises Valencia-Segura, enrollment specialist.
Hastings Campus
Two employees are shifting positions: Alex Bray, from mathematics and physics instructor to mathematics instructor at the Grand Island Campus, and Andrea Hays, from career and employment services director to Academic Success Center director.
Wanda Cloet, dental hygiene program director, has received the ADHA (American Dental Hygienists’ Association) Standout Seven Educator Award in recognition of her exemplary dedication and innovation in her dental hygiene role. She is a member of the American Dental Education Association, American Mobile and Teledentistry Alliance, International Federation of Dental Hygienists and ADHA. She has served on numerous American Dental Education Association, American Dental Association and ADHA committees.
Sherrie Dux-Ideus, library resource center supervisor, has earned a doctorate in higher education leadership from National University in San Diego, Calif.
Tony Harper has resigned as admissions director.
Kearney Center
Blaire Dreessen, nursing instructor, is transferring into the same position on the Grand Island Campus.
Jordan Eisenmenger, financial aid associate director, received the Distinguished Service Award at the Nebraska Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NeASFAA) annual conference in March. Recipients are recognized for their outstanding achievements in the financial aid profession and for demonstrating outstanding service in pursuing NeASFAA’s mission over the past year.