Left to right, back row: Jason Spainhower (CCC Automotive aide), Kevin Hunt (CCC Construction Instructor), Hal Daniels (CCC Collision Instructor), Jeff Phillips (CCC Automotive Instructor), Todd Madl (CCC Welding Instructor) Left to right, front row: Robin Laurence (Chamber President Elect), Kari Soper (CCC Columbus Technical Campus Director), and Mike Mathes (CCC Powersports Instructor).
Coffeyville, KS — Coffeyville Community College’s Columbus Technical Campus was recently honored with the Community Impact Pillar Award by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, recognizing its long-standing contributions to workforce development, hands-on learning, and community involvement. Coffeyville Community College has served the Columbus area for over 40 years, providing education, training, and community partnerships to the region.
For communities to grow, jobs must be available—and those jobs require a skilled workforce. CCC’s Columbus Technical Campus provides hands-on technical training designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce. All programs offered at the campus are aligned with nationally recognized credentials, giving students verifiable proof of their skills to present to prospective employers.
The campus continues to expand its offerings to meet workforce needs, most recently with the addition of the Power Sports Technology Program. The program provides hands-on technical training in the diagnosis and repair of ATVs, four-wheelers, side-by-sides, lawn equipment, chainsaws, and related equipment, preparing students for entry-level technician positions in a growing field. The program is housed in a facility leased from Jay Hatfield Motorsports, and through this relationship, students who complete the program have the opportunity to pursue employment at any Jay Hatfield dealership, strengthening the connection between training and workforce placement.
Beyond the classroom, CCC’s Columbus Technical Campus has played a direct role in improving the Columbus community and surrounding areas. Students and faculty from the Automotive, Construction, Collision Repair, and Welding programs have completed numerous community-based projects, including the construction of the gazebo on the Columbus Square, restrooms at the city park, and the maintenance and office building at the Columbus City Cemetery. Additional projects include work at the State Theatre, Discovery Park splash pad, Cherokee County Fair Show Ring, City Swimming Pool, Edgmand Cemetery, and the restoration of the Corona Depot.
Students have also designed and constructed residential homes in Columbus, built training equipment for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department, assisted with Extreme Makeover Home Edition following the Joplin tornado, and supported organizations such as the RISE Center and Dream Big Little Ones. CCC’s Automotive and Collision Repair programs alone repair an average of 350 to 500 vehicles each year, providing real-world experience for students while serving community needs.
The Columbus Technical Campus remains actively involved in the community through participation in local parades, back-to-school events, Halloween walks, chamber activities, and other community gatherings. The campus also regularly participates in area college fairs and career fairs throughout the region, connecting with prospective students and highlighting career-focused training opportunities available right here in southeast Kansas.
“Our students learn by doing, and that work has a real impact on Columbus,” said Kari Soper, Director of the CCC Columbus Technical Campus. “Whether it’s building structures, repairing vehicles, or supporting local projects, our programs prepare students for the workforce while meeting real needs in our community.”
The longevity and dedication of the campus faculty and staff further reflect the campus’s impact, with several team members serving the institution and community for decades. Their commitment has helped shape generations of skilled workers and strengthened the regional workforce.
Coffeyville Community College is proud of the Columbus Technical Campus and its achievement of the Community Impact Pillar Award, which recognizes the positive results of hands-on learning, community partnerships, and a shared commitment to serving Columbus and the surrounding area.