The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors held its regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in the board room of the college’s Administration Center.
Brandi Shay, SWCC chief financial officer, spoke to the board about renewing the early retirement policy for college employees. Shay said the modifications made to the program a couple of years ago helped reinvigorate the fund; therefore, after evaluation, the college’s administration recommended keeping the policy unchanged from fiscal year 2027. The current policy states the employee must be 57 years of age or more before June 30 of the year in which the application was received, have at least 10 years of continuous paid full-time service by the effective date of retirement, and be actively employed on a full-time basis during the year prior to the start of early retirement. Currently, 22 employees are eligible for early retirement. Employees must apply for early retirement prior to Feb. 1, 2027. Currently, 11 former Southwestern employees are utilizing early retirement. The board approved the policy as presented.
In personnel, Kim Bishop, SWCC dean of students, recommended the hiring of Sharon Swanson of Afton for the position of assistant coach for the sports shooting programs. Swanson has completed this role on a voluntary basis for the past year. Swanson is also employed in the registrar’s office at the college. The board approved the position as presented.
As part of the program review process, Holly Booth, SWCC business instructor, shared information about the college’s Associate of Applied Science accounting program. She discussed the program’s curriculum and rigor and said students are encouraged to join Business Professionals of America (BPA) while completing the program. Booth said the program has a history of state and national placers in BPA competitions.
Matt Deppe, SWCC agriculture instructor, talked about the agricultural programs at Southwestern. Deppe spoke about the advisory committee that steers the college’s ag programs. He said the committee is made up of individuals from diverse ag backgrounds. Deppe featured some recent SWCC ag grads and talked about the careers they are pursuing, and spoke about clubs and organizations students become involved with during their time at SWCC. Deppe said two current SWCC students have held leadership positions in national student organizations.
Bishop presented the Fall 2026 Demographic Report to the board. Bishop said fall 2026 enrollment is 1,590 students. These students are enrolled in 14,932 credits, up from 14,866 credits during the fall 2025 semester. Of the total enrollment, 66 percent are arts and sciences students and 34 percent are career and technical education students. The student body is made up of 882 high school students, 351 freshmen, and 331 sophomores. The residence halls at Southwestern house 191 students. Approximately 30 international students are currently enrolled at Southwestern.
Wayne Pantini, SWCC vice president of economic development, offered the board an update related to construction of the Skilled Trades Facility on the southeast edge of campus. Pantini said the installation of overhead doors and the concrete paving is going well, and contractors are pouring sidewalks and building curbs this week. The ground will be seeded, and light poles will be erected next week. Glasswork will begin this week, and the building should be entirely enclosed soon.
Pantini said the main entrance median project is currently being landscaped by Lincoln’s Lawn Care, Inc. If the weather cooperates, the project will be completed in the next week or two.
Lindsay Stoaks, college president, said the board of directors will receive a legislative report at the December meeting.
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