October 2025 Central Connection
September 30, 2025
NSF grant to fund mechatronics training
Central Community College has received almost $1 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The money will help CCC teach mechatronics to working adults and students in adult education programs.
According to the Nebraska Department of Labor, the state expects about 2,967 job openings each year for mechatronics workers over the next eight years. People with a mechatronics degree earn about $37.17 per hour on average.
The three-year program started this month and will teach 180 students using online lessons and portable training kits. Students can learn without leaving their jobs or local CCC adult education centers.
“This project gives working adults and adult education students a chance to learn important skills in a way that fits their busy lives,” said Dan Davidchik, CCC-Columbus mechatronics instructor and project principal investigator. “This project opens doors for non-traditional learners – working adults and those in adult education programs – by giving them access to accredited technical training that fits their lives.”
CCC instructors and staff will also train industry partners and adult education workers to help students succeed. CCC has already taught mechatronics online in high schools for five years.
“We’re excited to help adult students get the training they need to start working sooner,” said Becky Fausett, CCC’s adult education director.
The project is led by a group of Nebraska business leaders, CCC teachers and staff. They plan to share what they learn so other colleges and companies can use the same model.
“CCC has always been interested in supporting our business partners and this project takes that support to an even higher level,” said Doug Pauley, associate dean of training development. “Fitting training and education into someone’s life is hard but our goal is to make it more convenient for the student and the business.”
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Taking flight Ben Newton, environmental sustainability director at Central Community College, and Dr. Crystal Ramm, regional director at CCC-Ord, show kids how to tag monarch butterflies at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair. Ramm said the monarchs were released back into the environment in hopes that someone will find them and upload the tags and location into Monarch Watch so the butterflies’ continued migration to Mexico can be tracked. |
News briefs
Fall semester enrollment increases
Enrollment for the 2025 fall semester at Central Community College is 6,841, an increase of nearly 300 students or about 4.4 percent from a year ago.
Total enrollment grew by nearly 300 students or approximately 4.4 percent from a year ago, marking the third consecutive year of student population growth. Enrollment, especially for part-time students, is expected to grow throughout the fall semester due to short-term training and a second round of eight-week classes.
CCC partners with Influxer
Central Community College has entered in a partnership with Influxer in the name, image and likeness (NIL) space. The company provides more than 42,000 college and university student-athletes across the country with the opportunity to sell personalized merchandise with their school’s officially licensed branding.
“We are excited to partner with Influxer to bring NIL opportunities to our student-athletes at Central Community College,” said Mary Young, director of athletics. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to support the growth and success of our athletes both on and off the field. Influxer provides a platform for them to build their personal brand, engage with our community, and gain valuable real-world experience in today’s evolving collegiate athletics landscape.”
Once a CCC student-athlete has opted into the store, Raiders fans will be able find the new apparel at the official Central Community College Influxer store, as well as the student’s own personalized site.
Employees, families run in annual race
Three Central Community College employees placed in the 2025 Ram Run on Sept. 13 at the Hastings Campus. They were Chin Ng, mathematics instructor, first in the 5K male age group 50-59 and the Faculty Cup winner; Bailey Johnson, instructional design consultant, second place in the 5K female age group 30-39; and Clarence Charles, hospitality management and culinary arts program director, third in the 5K male age group 30-39.
Other CCC employees and family members who participated in the event were Phil and Porter Beda (Cheri’s husband and son); Andrew and Cecily Callahan; Alex and Bethany Kemnitz (Marcie’s son and daughter-in-law); Corey King (Raven’s husband); Michael, Cohen and Presley Lough (Lydia’s husband and children); Taylor Meyer (Sondra’s son); Lisa Mount; Christopher Waddle; Chartwells dining director Deb Ernst; and retired CCC employee Chuck Breunig.
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Completing 25 years of employment at Central Community College in August were Deb Adkisson, Matt Gotschall Andrea Hays, Roberto Lopez, Michel McKinney and Shawna Stump. |
25th anniversaries
Six Central Community College employees completed 25 years of service in August. They are:
Deb Adkisson
Deb Adkisson was a part-time assessment technician at the Columbus Campus for two years before it became a full-time position on Aug. 28, 2000.
She also completed her education at CCC when she earned an associate of applied science degree.
Adkisson has two daughters and six grandchildren.
Matt Gotschall
Dr. Matt Gotschall began his CCC career on Aug. 14, 2000, as associate dean of trades and industry at the Columbus Campus. He went on to serve as dean of educational services from 2003 to 2005 and as Columbus Campus president from 2005 until 2018 when he became CCC’s fifth president.
Prior to coming to CCC, he was employed for nine years by Barton County Community College in Kansas in agriculture faculty, staff and administrative positions.
Gotschall serves on the Greater Nebraska Workforce Development Board and Nebraska Chamber and Nebraska Manufacturing Advisory Council. He is a past board president of Heartland United Way.
He is a graduate of West Holt High School in Atkinson who went on to earn his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He and his wife, Michele, have five daughters and six grandchildren.
Andrea Hays
Andrea Hays started work at CCC on Aug. 1, 2000, as residence life director at the Columbus Campus, a position she held until 2013 when she transferred to the Hastings Campus as activities director. In 2021, she became director of career and employment services, and in 2025, she became the Academic Success Center director.
Hays earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology from Doane University and in sociology from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., and a master’s degree in management from Bellevue University. She also is a Global Career Development Facilitator and Certified Career Services Provider.
She is a member of First Congregational UCC, Revive Inc. Board of Directors, Delta Kappa Gamma, Food and Hygiene Pantry Steering Committee and President’s Quality Action Council and is an academic recovery specialist.
Roberto Lopez
Roberto Lopez has worked as a custodian since he started work at the Grand Island Campus on Aug. 14, 2000.
He previously worked in shipping and receiving at Monfort in Grand Island.
Lopez is a volunteer at the Grand Island Public Library. He and his wife, Maria, have three children and one grandson.
Michel McKinney
Michel McKinney has been a medical assisting program director and instructor since Aug. 15, 2000.
The program was located on the Hastings Campus until 2019 when it was moved to the Grand Island Campus.
She previously worked as a certified medical assistant in medical clinics in Hastings, Neb., and Aurora, Colo.
McKinney is a graduate of Adams Central High School in Hastings and has degrees in medical assisting from TH Pickens in Aurora, Colo., and in management from Bellevue University.
She is a member of St. Michael’s Church in Hastings, Hastings Society of Medical Assistants, Nebraska Society of Medical Assistants and the American Association of Medical Assistants. She is a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and Medical Assisting Education Review Board site surveyor.
She and her husband, Tom, have four children and 10 grandchildren.
Shawna Stump
Shawna Stump has been a health information management services program director and instructor since Aug. 15, 2000.
The program was located on the Hastings Campus until 2019 when it was moved to the Grand Island Campus.
Prior to working at CCC, she was a health information manager at Good Samaritan Health Systems in Kearney and Saint Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.
She graduated from Kearney Catholic High School in 1991. She earned a bachelor’s degree in health information management from the College of Saint Mary in Omaha in 1996.
She is a member of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and Nebraska Health Information Management Association (NHIMA). She has served as the first-year and second-year director, ambassador and delegate of the Nebraska Health Information Management Association. She is certified as a Registered Health Information Administrator through the AHIMA.
She and her husband, Travis, have two daughters and a granddaughter and are expecting a grandson in November.
Employee news
Administrative Office
Barb Larson has retired as college registrar and special projects director.
She began work at CCC in 1998 as Tech Prep coordinator, then went on to serve as assistant to Dennis Tyson, then vice president of educational services before becoming registar about 17 years ago.
Prior to joining the CCC staff, Larson was employed at Columbus Lakeview High School for eight years as a business instructor and for a year with school-to-work.
She graduated from Centennial High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in education and business administration from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Doane University.
Larson is a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) volunteer and serves on the Regional Foster Care Review Board.
She and her husband, Dan, have a son and daughter-in-law.
Columbus Campus
Lucas Wieser has resigned as apprenticeship coordinator.
Grand Island Campus
Moe Kitagawa has resigned as admissions recruiting coordinator.
Kelleen Redinger has joined the staff as nursing assistant and medication aide trainer program coordinator.
Jeff Schulz, sociology instructor, has had a peer-reviewed article accepted by the National Social Science Journal. The article, “Using ‘The Eyes on the Prize’ Series as a Teaching Tool,” was presented as a paper at the National Social Science Association annual conference in Las Vegas in March.
Thomas A. “Tom” Oshlo, 74, died at his home on Aug. 26 after a brief illness. A celebration of life with a brief program was held Sept. 5 at Stuhr Museum.
He was born Jan. 21, 1951, in Boise, Idaho, to Robert J. and Evelyn L. (House) Oshlo. He graduated from Northwest High School in 1967 and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Central Community College. On May 20, 1972, he married Myra Cline.
He ran his own maintenance and custodial business; taught welding, construction technology and motorcycle safety at CCC for 16 years; and was involved in alternate fuel research. He was an active volunteer at Stuhr Museum and with scouting and helped start Merit Badge University in 2006.
Memorials may be given to the Pawnee Earth Lodge with the Stuhr Museum.
Hastings Campus
Susan Klusman has been promoted from student activities and engagement director to admissions director.
Corey VomWeg, resource center assistant, is serving as interim resource center library supervisor.