A Statement on Recent National Events & Our Role
[Garden City, KS] June 3, 2020 -- At Garden City Community College, it is our mission to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.
We believe that this mission and our commitment to students and our community becomes even more critical in times like these.
As an institution of higher education, we value responsible leadership, unwavering integrity, trust, and accountability in everything we do: how we teach, how we serve, and how we better our campus and our community.
To truly embody these values, we must acknowledge that there are problems in our country: problems of social injustice, of institutionalized racism, and of violence.
And we must recognize that as long as these problems endure, then events like the death of Mr. George Floyd and countless incidents of brutality against African Americans will continue to raise anger, to fuel despair, and to inflict trauma, including within our community.
That's because our students, faculty, and staff come from all walks of life -- from across the country and the globe. And these national events have local consequences, affecting how people feel: angry, hurt, and in some cases, unwelcome.
We want our students or employees who are hurting or who feel anger or despair to know their feelings are justified. And that there is help available, if they need, including the counseling resources listed below.
As a place of learning and ideas, it is our responsibility to counter these feelings and create an inclusive community, one where individuals feel safe and feel welcome -- to learn, to share, and to grow. To this end, our leadership continues to take intentional steps toward these goals, each day and across all levels of our organization -- from inside the classroom to the conference room.
At GCCC, we seek to help students achieve their educational and career goals, in the hopes these achievements will allow them to better themselves, their families, and their communities. We want to be part of positive conversations and positive change, which create a more justified and equitable world. And, as a college, we are committed to that end.
Sincerely,
GCCC President's Cabinet
Dr. Ryan Ruda, President
Karla Armstrong, Vice President for Administrative Services/CFO
Marc Malone, Vice President for Instructional Services
Colin Lamb, Vice President for Student Services
Greg McVey, Athletic Director
Student Resources - Mental Health
Genesis Family Health: 620-276-1766
- Holly - ext. 116 or hmancillas@genesisfh.org
- Vanessa - ext. 117 or vgaytan@genesisfh.org
- Robin - ext. 115 or runruh@genesisfh.org
Nikki Herman with GCCC Family Crisis Services
M-F 10 AM - 4 PM
620-260-6639 (24-hour Line) or 620-275-5911
Student Resources - Physical Health
GCCC Nurse: 620-276-9601 or patricia.miller@gcccks.edu
Summer Hours: M-TH 8 AM to 4 PM / FRI 8 AM to Noon
Employee Resources
GCCC employees have access to licensed mental health professionals, health and wellness consultants, and more through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), available at www.ndbh.com (or 1-800-624-5544). For more information about accessing these services, contact GCCC Human Resources Director Kellee Munoz at kellee.munoz@gcccks.edu.
GCCC exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.