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Mid-Plains Community College is trending ahead of its financial projections while preparing for continued growth across its campuses.
Following this week’s Board of Governors meeting, MPCC President Ryan Purdy said the college is performing better than expected financially.
“Things are looking about a million dollars to the good,” Purdy said.
The Board approved several program reviews, including EMS and nursing programs, which continue to see strong outcomes and growing demand. College leaders say nursing enrollment is expected to increase significantly this fall, with more than 100 students anticipated across programs.
MPCC is also exploring ways to expand its nursing program beyond North Platte to serve additional communities, including McCook.
One of the biggest challenges discussed during the meeting was student housing, as enrollment continues to climb.
“Housing is our bottleneck right now,” Purdy said.
Plans call for adding new housing in both North Platte and McCook, helping the college accommodate more students and support future program expansion.
The Board also approved upgrades to classroom equipment, including new digital microscopes for the North Platte biology department, part of ongoing efforts to keep instructional technology current.
Community members also addressed the Board, emphasizing the importance of strengthening connections between students and the region. College leaders say those partnerships are key to addressing workforce shortages and keeping students in western Nebraska.