GCCC President Dr. Ryan Ruda Appointed to Rural Community College Alliance Board
[Garden City, KS] June 9, 2025 -- Garden City Community College (GCCC) President Dr. Ryan J. Ruda has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Rural Community College Alliance (RCCA), a national organization dedicated to advancing the mission of rural-serving colleges across the United States.
Dr. Ruda is now one of only 13 higher education leaders nationwide selected to serve on the RCCA Board. The RCCA provides strategic guidance and advocacy to support its member institutions, which serve 89.3 million people living in rural communities.
According to RCCA, the organization works to foster a more economically, culturally, and civically vibrant rural America by advocating for rural colleges, sharing innovative practices, leveraging resources, and influencing policy through research and collaboration.
“I’m truly honored and excited to be elected to the Board of Directors for the Rural Community College Alliance,” shared Dr. Ruda. “As someone who deeply believes in the power of rural community colleges to transform lives and strengthen communities, it means so much to serve alongside fellow leaders who share that same passion and purpose. I look forward to serving RCCA to advance the mission of rural community colleges and empowering the communities they serve.”
Dr. Ruda has served as President of Garden City Community College since 2019 and has been part of the institution for more than two decades. He began his career at GCCC as a counselor and later served as Director of Counseling. Over the years, he has held several key leadership positions, including Vice President for Student Services and Athletic Director, and Vice President for Instruction and Student Services.
He holds a Doctorate in Community College Leadership from the Roueche Graduate Center at National American University, as well as a Master of Science in Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Fort Hays State University.
For more information about the Rural Community College Alliance, visit https://ruralccalliance.org/.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.