SCC Milford Director heads into retirement, with enrollment up

BEATRICE – There’s nothing like going out on a high note. That’s where the director of a community college campus finds himself, at retirement.

"We've had 54% enrollment growth over the last ten years, and increased enrollment over the last eleven semesters and it's been quite a run. It's been a concerted effort by the board, the president, the admin team and everybody on the campus."

Ed Koster has been Director of the Milford Campus of Southeast Community College, and Vice President of Technology for the school, serving in the position the past ten years.

Total SCC enrollment has been up by double digits, and the Milford Campus has led the way in percentage growth, as students seek technical skills and degrees in high demand, at a campus located in a town of 2,200.
"I think the interesting thing is industry always knew it was there. I think the students were kind of shying away because we hadn't been investing in the campus. And, I think the investments we have made over the last ten years really reaffirmed people's faith that the Milford Campus offered quality instruction, quality programs and a quality educational experience, and they came in droves to prove that point."

In recent years, the Milford Campus became the home of the Crete Carrier Diesel Technology Center, two new residence halls with a third possible to handle the growing enrollment….and the most recent project….a renovation of the 100-year-old former Nebraska Hall dorm, into a new student services center.

Koster says a Construction Technology Center is the next big thing in the works. "We completed design, development. Right now, after the funding model changed, we have been looking at different ways to fund the project, so it's currently on hold. But I think the possibility of it kicking off here in the next few years is definitely still on the horizon...still probably the next big academic building in Milford."

Koster said in retirement, he plans to “chase whatever rabbit hole comes up”. He says he’ll miss the day-to-day interaction with the students and staff he’s worked with.  Koster attended his final SCC Board meeting Tuesday, on the Lincoln Campus.

Southeast Community College will add parking to its East “O” Street campus in Lincoln.
The SCC Board of Governors Tuesday voted to authorize a new parking lot that will have 256 vehicle spaces. 

Lincoln Campus Director Dr. Bev Cummins says the new lot will be located south and west of a new Welding Technology Center being built. A recreational trail that connects with other trails will cut between the parking lot and SCC buildings on the campus.

The new Sandhills Global Technology Center….is opening this fall and will be ready for classes this January, on the Lincoln Campus.