March 2025 Central Connection
February 28, 2025
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| Left: Hayden Knott, a media arts major from Grand Island, takes a professional shot of a fellow student. Right: Stephanie Parker and Knott (center) play “Who You Are Matters” with Andrea Hays and Alyssa Nickolite from Career and Employment Services. Parker is a Kearney Center student from Lexington who also is administrative assistant for the apprenticeship program. Third photo: Asia Mason, a criminal justice major in and from Grand Island, learns about Big Interview online with Alyssa Nickolite at the Columbus Campus. |
Event prepares students for workforce
By Allie Remm
Career and Employment Services Specialist
In February, Helping Students Prepare for the Workforce provided career readiness support to 100 students by helping them take the next steps toward their professional goals. Hosted by Career and Employment Services (CES), the event featured interactive breakout sessions, career technology workshops, networking opportunities and professional development resources in Columbus, Grand Island, Hastings and Kearney.
Attendees engaged in the Who You Are Matters game, which is a guided activity that helped them reflect on their strengths and career aspirations. This interactive session allowed students to identify their strengths, share personal stories and affirm others in their professional journeys. Throughout the event, walk-in sessions allowed students to explore cutting-edge job search tools, including AI-integrated career platforms like Big Interview, a resource for mastering interview techniques.
Industry networking was a key highlight, which gave students the chance to connect with professionals and refine their resumes. Participants also had the opportunity to take free professional headshots, which can help them enhance their LinkedIn profiles and make strong first impressions in the job market.
A reflection session encouraged students to use the NACE Competencies framework to assess their career readiness and understand what employers seek in job candidates. Through hands-on activities and one-on-one guidance, they left better equipped to navigate the job market.
This event will continue to be a valuable resource for students looking to bridge the gap between education and employment as it is scheduled to return this fall.
This event was made possible thanks to the support of our CCC grants department.
News briefs
Award recognizes energy tech program
Central Community College was one of six higher education institutions to receive inaugural Climate Luminary Honors from Second Nature, a national nonprofit dedicated to accelerating climate action in and through higher education. They were recognized for their leadership and innovative approaches to addressing climate challenges.
CCC was recognized for its energy technology program, which trains future professionals to install, maintain and repair wind and solar systems.
Scholarship goes to Wood River students
Nathanial Krolikowski and Braden Wynn, both of Wood River, have each received a $1,000 Jim R. DeBord Scholarship. They are heavy equipment operator technology majors at Central Community College-Hastings.
Ron and Tammy DeBord established the scholarship in honor of Ron’s father, Jim, who worked in the heavy equipment field.
Students receive TRIO Leaders Award
Three Central Community College students have received a $500 TRIO Leaders Award scholarship. They are Maricarmen Apodaca-Hernandez of Hastings, a radiology technician major at the Hastings Campus; Josue Fuentes of Schuyler, a music major at the Columbus Campus; and Nicole Groetch of Aurora, a human services major at the Grand Island Campus.
The TRIO/Student Support Services (TRIO/SSS) program awards the scholarship annually to TRIO/SSS students who have exhibited superior leadership through extensive involvement and outstanding service in their schools, communities and/or workplaces.
Rings reflect national championship wins
For the first time ever at Central Community College, a national championship ring ceremony was held Feb. 7 during halftime of the men’s basketball game.
Four members of the esports team and head coach Lucas Lumbra received rings for winning national titles in Call of Duty: 4x4 and Call of Duty: MWIII Gunfight 2x2. The 4x4 members were Ethan Bryant of Grand Island, Jackson Peabody of Columbus, Caleb Smith of Creighton and Ayden Veik of Humphrey. Peabody and Veik comprised the MWIII Gunfight 2x2 team.
Each ring features the Raiders logo and “National Champions” on the head and inscriptions of the game ID and the game title on the band.
Long-time employee retires from CCC
Kathy Wert of Aurora has retired as a human resources executive assistant at Central Community College.
Her approximately 46 years of employment at CCC began in July 1977 as a secretary for the CETA counselor. The Comprehensive Employment and Training Act was a federal program in operation from 1973 through 1981. It trained unemployed and low-income workers and provided them with public service jobs.
Later in 1977 she became the secretary for the trade and industry department, a position she held until 1999 when a heart attack put her on long-term disability.
When she returned to CCC in 2000, she became the executive assistant in the public relations department. In 2018, she added human resources duties to her job and became a full member of the HR department in 2023.
After graduating from Nebraska Christian High School in Central City, she worked as a cook at Hamilton Motor Inn and Restaurant in Aurora, a machinist at International Sensors Systems in Aurora and a helper in the Barr Junior High School library in Grand Island.
Her husband, Dana, was an industrial technology instructor for CCC until his retirement in 2014. He died in 2022.
She has three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In tribute: Dick Longwith, Doris Van Dyke
Word has been received of the death of the following two Central Community College retirees.
Dick Longwith
Richard “Dick” G. Longwith, 92, of Hastings died Feb. 6 at Mary Lanning HealthCare.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. on June 21 at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings.
He was born Jan. 19, 1933, in Schuyler to Albert and Ethel (Furr) Longwith and graduated from Schuyler High School in 1950.
He married Patricia Stack on Oct. 25, 1950. She died in 1993. He married Dee (Stapp) Gregory on June 24, 1995.
He was a self-taught mechanic who started his career at Pickett Motors before going on to own his own business, Longwith Auto Repair. He was an automotive instructor at Central Community College-Hastings from 1983 until his retirement in 1996.
He was a member of Southern Hills Country Club.
Survivors include his wife, four children, five stepchildren, 25 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife and a daughter.
DeWitt Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the family for later designation.
Doris Van Dyke
Doris Van Dyke, 97, of Columbus died Feb. 7 at Emerald Rehab and Nursing in Columbus.
Services were held Feb. 11 at St. Isidore Catholic Church. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery at a later date.
She was born Dec. 7, 1927, in Madison to Otto and Hannah (Feiling) Dieter. She graduated from Madison High School in 1945.
She was a charter member of Platte College, the forerunner of Central Community College-Columbus, beginning work there on July 20, 1969. She served as a secretary and assistant for the physical plant, campus president, business department and campus operations before retiring in 1993.
She previously taught at a rural school and worked as a secretary at Citizens Bank and for the Platte County Superintendent of Schools.
She is a graduate of Madison High School and CCC with an associate of applied science degree in business.
She was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles as well as St. Isidore Church, where she sang in the choir.
Survivors include her daughter: Alana Berlin of Columbus. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers.
Employee news
Administrative Office
Marciano Davis has resigned as an information technology systems specialist.
CCC Foundation
Carly Walker will shift positions from administrative analyst to director of operations on April 1.
Columbus Campus
Ambar Kindelan Borges has joined the staff as administrative assistant for the career and technical sciences department.
Grand Island Campus
Robin Barrera has resigned as Academic Success Center coordinator.
Libby Paro, occupational therapy assistant instructor, has earned two certificates qualifying her as a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Related Service Provider. These certificates support her teaching in pediatrics, treatment interventions, activity analysis, and documentation within pediatric occupational therapy.
Allie Remm, career and employment services specialist, has received the 2025 New Professional at a Two-Year College Award from the American College Personnel Association Commission for Two-Year Colleges. The award recognizes an individual who has worked at a two-year college for less than five years and has displayed outstanding professional potential and commitment to student affairs and student development.
Hastings Campus
Jason Davis, associate dean of community and workforce education, has been appointed to the Snow-Redfern Board of Directors.
The Snow-Redfern Foundation provides funding directly to youth and youth-serving organizations across Nebraska. It is making the transition from a traditional grantmaking foundation to a participatory philanthropy model that will give youth more voice and opportunities for meaningful engagement.
“By bringing his expertise and dedication to mentorship, he strengthens our commitment to ensuring that young people are not just supported but actively involved in shaping the policies, programs, and funding decisions that impact them,” according to a Snow-Redfern news release announcing Davis’ appointment.
Shifting positions are Brandon Karmazin, from groundskeeper to groundskeeping supervisor, and David Tuberville, from truck driving trainer to groundskeeper.
Kearney Center
Amanda Rooker has shifted positions from nursing clinical director to nursing instructor.