GCCC Alumni Spotlight: Raul Leyva-Montes
[Garden City, KS] March 17, 2026 – Raul Leyva-Montes, a Syracuse, Kansas native, began his higher education journey at Garden City Community College in 2016, choosing the college for the opportunity to pursue a strong academic start close to home.
As he explains, “Garden City Community College offered an affordable, high-quality education close to home that allowed me to build a strong academic foundation while preparing for a career in medicine. The supportive faculty and smaller class sizes made it an ideal environment for growth.”
During his time at GCCC, Leyva-Montes immersed himself in campus life and took advantage of numerous academic and leadership opportunities. He served as president of the Math and Science Club and worked as a Human Cadaver Dissection Lab Assistant, where he supported anatomy education while developing an early passion for medicine.
Reflecting on his experience, Leyva-Montes shared, “My time at Garden City Community College was incredibly formative, both academically and personally. I was deeply involved in campus life and took pride in representing the college through leadership and service.”
His academic dedication earned him recognition on the President’s Honor Roll and Outstanding Academic Achievement awards. He also participated in the Developing Scholar and Bridges to the Future programs, which provided him with a Kansas State University research grant focused on breast cancer. Additionally, he was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa and served as a Presidential Ambassador, representing the President’s Office at college and community events. During his time at GCCC, he was also selected as one of the first commencement speakers when the college brought back the student speaker tradition after several years.
His involvement helped shape the habits and mindset that would carry him through the next stages of his education. “I learned discipline, accountability, and the importance of building strong academic fundamentals. GCCC taught me how to manage my time, stay focused on long-term goals, and take ownership of my education,” he said.
Leyva-Montes graduated from GCCC in May 2019 with an Associate in Science and continued his academic journey at Kansas State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Life Science, graduating summa cum laude in 2020. He later completed a Master of Physician Associate degree from Wichita State University in 2024.
Today, Leyva-Montes serves as a Physician Associate (PA-C) in family and emergency medicine at Kearny County Hospital, where he provides comprehensive patient care. In this role, he diagnoses and manages acute and chronic conditions in both the family medicine clinic and emergency room, performs procedures, educates patients, and collaborates with physicians and healthcare teams to support patient outcomes.
Leyva-Montes credits Garden City Community College as an essential part of his academic and professional journey. “GCCC gave me the confidence and academic preparation needed to succeed at the university and graduate levels. The foundation I built there directly contributed to my success in becoming a Physician Associate,” he said.
When asked what advice he would give current and prospective students, Leyva-Montes emphasized the importance of opportunities. “Take advantage of the opportunities available, build relationships with faculty, and stay focused on your goals. GCCC can be a powerful launching point if you are willing to put in the work.”
He added, “I am grateful for the support and opportunities GCCC provided and am proud to represent the college as a healthcare professional (PA-C) serving rural southwest Kansas.”
Leyva-Montes’ journey from GCCC student to Physician Associate highlights the lasting impact of a strong educational foundation and the role Garden City Community College plays in preparing students to serve and lead within their communities.
Garden City Community College is proud to have played a part in Raul Leyva-Montes' path. Make a difference for future Busters by starting your own Endowed Scholarship through the GCCC Endowment Association.
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