CHEYENNE, Wyo. — In this edition of “Meet the Candidates,” Jess Ketcham shares with Cap City News how he envisions serving Laramie County Community College if elected as a board trustee. Ketcham is one of six people running for the board. Four seats are open.
The following are responses that Ketcham shared with Cap City News. To view Q&As of other candidates in the general election, click here.
How do you plan to support the development of academic programs that align with Wyoming’s workforce needs, such as healthcare and advanced manufacturing?
As a current Trustee, I plan on continuing down the path that the Board has already started and enhance what has already been brought to the community. The Board was able through the work of the community and the Legislature, to bring to LCCC, the Bachelor of applied Science degrees, which includes the Healthcare Administration Program. I am in favor of increasing the number of Bachelor programs (maximum of 2 currently) at the community college level, but this needs to be approved through the Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC) which is in the review process of doing this. If this is approved, then LCCC will be able to have more Bachelor programs and I would push for more healthcare program bachelor degrees. Concerning advanced manufacturing, the Board reached out to community leaders to discover what programs were needed to be successful with all that is coming to our county, and through that process LCCC implemented a state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing & Material Center (AMMC). LCCC offers both credit and non-credit manufacturing programs leading to skill development, industry certifications, and college credentials.
What strategies would you propose to increase student enrollment at LCCC, especially given demographic shifts and declining high school graduates?
As a current Trustee, I plan on working with the other Trustees by continuing the opportunity LCCC was selected for as one of 10 community colleges nationwide to participate in a program aimed at improving students’ outcomes in higher education called Unlocking Opportunity. The Unlocking Opportunity doesn’t require any single reform of network members, but each college that was selected, the Board, has committed to advancing reforms through five broad strategies (found on LCCC’s website):
- Set a family-sustaining wage standard and assess programs against it
- Setting goals for changing program-level enrollments and outcomes
- Strengthen the program portfolio and partnerships to increase post-graduation success
- Align advising to greater and more equitable completion of high-value programs
- Institutionalize reforms
LCCC will also be able to look at all areas that need to be improved and work on them to determine how to increase enrollment.
What specific steps would you advocate for to raise LCCC’s reputation within the region and help the college become a finalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence by 2030?
LCCC is already on the forefront of doing this through goals and strategies (found on LCCC’s website) set out and represent a road map to achieve them.
Goal 1. Become the best-known higher education opportunity within 350 miles of Cheyenne.
- In an increasingly competitive environment, for our prospective students and families to engage with LCCC, they must be aware of the College, know that it is affordable, and compelled by the value proposition of our programs and the unique experience we provide. For our region to thrive in the future, our reach can and must be far greater than the bounds of our service area
Goal 2. Engage substantially greater numbers of individuals in the intentional pursuit and achievement of post-secondary outcomes at LCCC through strategic enrollment management.
- Student participation, and ultimately success, will be an essential determinant of the success of LCCC, and more importantly, of our communities and state in the future. Pragmatically, the College’s resource stability will be reliant on increasing numbers of students enrolling. Strategically, these students are the necessary pipeline of talent needed within our workforce to drive economic growth and societal prosperity.
Goal 3. Transform the College’s academic offerings into innovative programming with paths to viable opportunities for social mobility.
- LCCC’s degree and certificate programs are the foundation for social mobility of our graduates and economic prosperity for our communities. These programs must be designed to create a unique student experience that differentiates the College, provide pathways to equitable success and outcomes, and align with real opportunities post-completion.
Goal 4. Continue to cultivate an environment intentionally designed where employees can do the best work of their lives.
- Organizations are only as strong as the people who comprise them. Great organizations recruit and retain the best talent, and that talent does their best work. These organizations do four things exceptionally well: (1) they set clear expectations, (2) they engage their employees deeply, (3) they empower their employees, and (4) they balance life and work.
What specific measures will you implement to ensure LCCC achieves equitable outcomes for all student populations, particularly those from underserved communities?
I believe by following the model set out for in the Pathways Programs, proceeded by the Unlocking Opportunity and the objectives set forth above in my previous answers as well as following through with our current Strategic Plan 2030, which I was involved in developing, LCCC will see the benefit of higher graduation rates including those of disadvantaged populations.
How will you address LCCC’s reliance on state funding, which is affected by Wyoming’s mineral industry, and what alternative revenue sources do you propose?
The community colleges must adhere to the Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC) which aims to provide coordination, advocacy, funding and accountability for the Community College System on behalf of the State of Wyoming. Funding is provided to the community colleges using a collaboratively developed funding allocation model. Legislative appropriations are distributed using certain performance metrics that recognize achievement toward those adopted system-wide goals. W.S. 21-18-202 (c). To alleviate some of the funding burden to the state’s general fund I would work with LCCC’s Senior Vice President, Administration & Finance to find alternative funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) in the interim.
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
My name is Jess E. Ketcham, and I am running for the Laramie County Community College Board of Trustees to retain my seat as a Trustee for another term. I am married to my wife Kelly; we just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. We have two teenage boys who are 6th-generation Laramie County residents.
I grew up in Cheyenne and after graduating from East High School I attended Laramie County Community College. After 2 years at LCCC I transferred to the University of Wyoming. I graduated from UW with a degree in Agriculture Business. My Great-Great Grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Ketcham, was a trailblazer which led him to pioneer in the great territory of Wyoming. In 1867, The Ketcham family had the honor of having the 1st deeded homestead in Laramie County with the ranch still being held within our family. My Wyoming roots run deep, on my Mother’s side of the family my Great-Grandfather, Jess Boner (whom I am named after), pioneered in Converse County (currently Niobrara County) in 1903. I am currently employed by the State of Wyoming as the State Budget Administrator for the State Budget Department. I am also finishing my second term as a Laramie County Community College Trustee where I served as Chairman of the Board in 2019–2021. I also have been a Cheyenne Frontier Days volunteer for the Parades Committee for 24 years and have been a Lead Assistant Chairman for the last 10 years.
During the COVID crisis I was Chairman of the LCCC Board of Trustees and had to make hard decisions about how to move LCCC forward. Through that process LCCC is in a better position to be successful, now and in the future. Something that sets me apart is that I was a part of building the 2030 LCCC Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan is the guide that will direct LCCC to achieve the goals we deemed most important for the vitality of the college. My experience with budgets, the legislative process, along with my true Wyoming values, afford me the knowledge to help keep Laramie County moving forward.
