The Hutchinson Community College Board of Trustees welcomed a pair of relatively new organizations to its March meeting. As part of its ongoing effort to enhance campus safety, HutchCC implemented a cadet program to allow students to gain experience. The program is under the direction of Chad Steele, Assistant Director of Campus Safety, and includes students as well as part-time employees.

The Board also welcomed the staff who oversee the Blue Dragon Food Pantry. Debbie Graber and Bailey Goodman, both counselors in the Student Success Center, oversee the program along with four student workers. The need arose from HutchCC’s recognition that, nationally, 40% of students suffer from food insecurity. It serves not only main campus and other Hutchinson locations but also the Outreach Centers in McPherson and Newton.

In addition, the Board received updates on its upcoming accreditation visit and its Strategic Planning initiatives and approved tuition and fees for the 2026-27 academic year. Tuition is scheduled to increase by $3.00 per credit hour while fees will increase by $2.00 per credit hour for a total of $136 per credit hour. Reno County students will continue to receive a $10 per credit hour reduction.

The next meeting of the board will be on Thursday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the Shears Technology Center Justice Theater. The public is invited to attend. Board meeting agendas and information can be found at www.hutchcc.edu/boardmeetings.

For more information on Hutchinson Community College, visit the college website at www.hutchcc.edu.

The Dillon Lecture Series (DLS) is proud to announce its first speaker of the 2026 season: legendary award-winning Kansas journalist, Larry Hatteberg.

During a 51-year career centered on telling people’s stories, Hatteberg became a defining voice in Kansas local television. His “Hatteberg’s People” series remains the longest-running television feature in the state’s history, profiling nearly 2,000 Kansans and taking him to 17 foreign countries. A former prime-time anchor and executive news director for KAKE-TV, Hatteberg is also a nationally recognized teacher of photojournalism who has consulted for over 40 stations across the country and the U.S. Department of Defense.

During his lecture, Hatteberg will share insights from his half-century of storytelling — finding the extraordinary in "ordinary" people and illuminating the human spirit through the lens of a camera.

Patrons and attendees should take special note of a change to the traditional schedule for this event. Unlike most Dillon Lectures, which are held in the morning at the Sports Arena, Hatteberg will speak at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, at the Stringer Fine Arts Center on the Hutchinson Community College campus.

“Larry Hatteberg is a respected storyteller whose work has had a lasting impact on Kansas communities,” said Susan Buttram, chair of the Dillon Lecture Committee. “We’re excited to welcome him to Hutchinson for what promises to be a meaningful and engaging lecture.”

Tickets to the lecture are available now at www.hutchcc.edu/dls and will also be available beginning at 1:15 pm the day of the lecture at the Stringer Fine Arts Center.

Hatteberg will appear at a press conference for members of the media prior to the lecture.  The press conference is scheduled at 1:15 pm in the Parker Library of the Stringer Fine Arts Center.

2026 is the 45th season for the Dillon Lecture Series on the HutchCC Campus. Since 1982, the Dillon Lecture Series at Hutchinson Community College has brought distinguished and notable speakers to the Hutchinson community. Following the philosophy that "learning is the key to enlightenment," the series continues to provide audiences with access to world-class thinkers, leaders, and storytellers.

For more information on the Dillon Lecture Series or to become a patron, visit www.hutchcc.edu/dls or call Becky Rogers at 620-665-3505.

Hutchinson Community College is proud to join fellow Kansas community colleges and the Kansas Air National Guard (KSANG) in a new collaborative effort aimed at strengthening the state and nation’s cybersecurity workforce.

Recently highlighted by U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, the partnership creates new opportunities for community college students across Kansas to engage directly in training that supports industries throughout Kansas and the nation.

“The safety of our communities is inextricably linked to the security of our digital networks,” said Dr. Tricia Paramore, president of Hutchinson Community College. “Cybersecurity threats impact every industry — from our local hospitals and small businesses to our schools and public agencies. This partnership expands access, strengthens learning opportunities, and demonstrates the power of collaboration in protecting our communities.”

The initiative also reinforces the vital role Kansas community colleges play in workforce development and national security.

“This isn’t just a curriculum enhancement — it’s a direct pipeline to the front lines of digital defense,” said Jesse Newberry, associate professor of Information Technology at Hutchinson Community College. “Our students are learning to defend the same types of systems that support our national infrastructure. Through this partnership, they gain exposure to high-level cybersecurity challenges and are even better positioned to step into critical, high-impact roles immediately after graduation.”

While the initiative represents a powerful statewide collaboration, Hutchinson Community College is uniquely positioned to contribute through its established and comprehensive Cybersecurity program.  HutchCC offers an Associate of Science degree in Cybersecurity that prepares students through hands-on instruction in programming and secure coding. Students train using industry-relevant tools and scenarios that mirror the real-world challenges facing public and private institutions every day.

For more information on Hutchinson Community College and its cybersecurity offerings, visit the college website at www.hutchcc.edu/cybersecurity.

Hutchinson Community College: An Equal Opportunity Provider

The Hutchinson Community College Board of Trustees opened its February meeting by continuing its tradition of welcoming student groups when they were introduced to students who serve as social media content creators for the marketing department.

The three students generate a wide variety of social media content to assist in reaching both current and prospective students.

College President Dr. Tricia Paramore gave the Board an update on the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation mock visit the College hosted the week prior. The mock visit was in preparation for the upcoming HLC accreditation visit in April.

In addition, Vice President of Finance and Operations Julie Blanton updated the Board on several projects, including the renovation of Davis Hall, which is nearing completion, and tuckpointing of Lockman Hall.

The next meeting of the board will be Thursday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Shears Technology Center Justice Theater.  The public is invited to attend. Board meeting agendas and information can be found at www.hutchcc.edu/boardmeetings