A Message from the President

As we begin fiscal year 2027, I am pleased to share that our community’s hard work and unwavering support made it possible for GCC to end the year with a balanced budget. While this stability is essential in a changing higher education landscape, our work is far from finished. Moving forward, we are laying the groundwork for resilience and strategic growth.

Key to our success will be our ability to adapt. As described in “Resilient by Design,” a report published by the American Association of Community Colleges, the profound demographic and economic shifts that all higher education institutions face will require creative response.

At GCC, this means building on our liberal arts foundation with workforce training programs to remain closely aligned with the needs of our local economy. By partnering with regional industries and anticipating workforce demands, we can prepare students for careers that are in demand today and will continue to grow tomorrow.

This alignment benefits everyone. Students gain the skills for rewarding employment. Local businesses find the workforce they need to grow and innovate. Families remain rooted in our communities, strengthening the vitality of our region. As the community’s college, we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to drive rural prosperity.

None of this work would be possible without your extraordinary generosity, which provides the flexibility to meet emerging needs, invest in student success and seize new opportunities.

Whether helping students overcome unexpected financial barriers, supporting innovative academic programs, or strengthening the student experience, your gifts help shape the future of our region.

Looking ahead, we are preparing to launch GCC’s next five-year strategic planning process. This effort will invite voices from across our community to help define our future priorities. Together, we will examine how we can expand educational pathways that respond to regional needs while building a financially sustainable college. As valued supporters, you will have opportunities to engage with this work through community forums and surveys, and we hope you will share your perspective as we chart GCC’s future together.

With the continued partnership of our alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students and community leaders, we are building a college that is resilient by design: one that adapts thoughtfully. Thank you for your belief in our mission and for your generous support.