Great news! We heard from our accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) that we have been approved for another 10 years. The bigger news is that there was no verbiage whatsoever to fix or change anything. Wow! This doesn’t happen in the peer-reviewed world of the HLC. It’s kind of like getting an A+ grade. A big thank you to you all for your hard work and excellence. And a special thanks to Dr. Kathy Wells and the entire HLC team!
On the enrollment front, we are down compared to this time last spring. Although this isn’t good news, recall that our 7-year trend has been very positive. I know the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) team and Cabinet are digging deep to investigate ideas and strategies.
Legislative Update: Employee Raises and or Funding Requests
As I mentioned during the spring in-service, the trustees of the state’s eight community colleges are pushing for more funds. The legislative process starts with the presidents and trustees talking to the Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC) to influence its requests that it makes to the Governor. After the WCCC makes its official request, the Governor makes recommendations to the Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC), co-chaired by our local senator, Tim Salazar. The JAC creates budget bills to present to both legislative houses. When the legislative session begins on February 9, legislators can then propose amendments to the budget bills presented. The JAC has already drafted some bills. The Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees (WACCT), through their Executive Director Erin Taylor, talks directly to legislators with the assistance of the college presidents to present the colleges’ needs. These are the budgetary issues at play.
1. Funds for Salary raises for employees.
The Governor recommended that the colleges get $14 million, which would translate to about $700,000/year to CWC. That would provide enough for about two steps. The Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC) has recommended to the legislature not to give raises to the colleges’ nor any other state employees.
2. Funds to catch up the colleges from the impact of inflation.
The colleges presented to the WCCC the need for $72.8 million more in state support to catch up with inflation. (That would be $7.2 million for CWC over a two-year budget year.) The WCCC and WACCT decided more realistically to ask for $19 million. The Governor did not put this $19 million in his recommended budget and neither did the JAC. WACCT will push to find legislative sponsors in both houses to make amendments to request this $19 million. (That would be about $1.9 million over a biennium for CWC.)
3. Cuts to community colleges’ budgets.
According to state statute, every few years, the colleges’ budgets should get readjusted based on changes in total system enrollments. (Although CWC has grown, most Wyoming colleges have not.) By state statute, the colleges’ budget should be reduced by $1.5 million, but the legislature can waive this. (Fortunately, this $1.5 million for the colleges is not a whole lot of money; it equates only or about $150,000 to CWC over a biennium.) The Governor supports making this $1.5 million cut, but the JAC disagreed. Our trustees naturally are not in favor of a cut.
4. Funds to meet the need to start or expand CTE programs.
The Governor proposed adding $5 million to the colleges for Wyoming Works CTE programs. (This isn’t a lot of money when you consider that it often takes a $2-3 million grant to start a new program at a single college.) The Governor also asked for $500,000 for Wyoming Works scholarships.The JAC agreed with both the $5 million for programs and $500,000.The college trustees were hoping for more: $15 million plus scholarship funds.
5. Approval of capital construction (Capcon) projects.
The colleges have a small list of new construction projects. As for CWC, we are only requesting permission to renovate and expand what we call our “Blue Building” on the business park, next to High Mountain Seasonings. We are not asking for funds, but simply approval. CWC will seek grants and other funding for this proposed project to expand our CTE offerings. The JAC will likely discuss this on February 5, but we are hearing that they will likely vote to only approve the projects, such as ours, that are not requesting funds.
CWC Jackson construction progress, January 2026
Jackson Building and Fundraising
So far, the construction of the new Jackson Building is on schedule and on budget. As excitement for the Jackson project builds, and in consultation with the Jackson President’s Advisory Council, CWC will be conducting several fundraising events in 2026 to leverage the completion of the Jackson Campus to define CWC’s impact for the next 50 years. We are now doing some feasibility testing with key partners of this long-term (well beyond 2026) fundraising plan that the 2026 fundraisers would initiate:
Professional Staff Highlights
CWC students and staff came together this holiday season to support one another through the annual Student Giving Christmas Tree. Thanks to the generosity of the campus community, 74 children from CWC families received holiday gifts, supported by student leaders and volunteers who contributed dozens of service hours.
Additional highlights from Professional Staff include:
45 student internships completed in 2025, strengthening hands-on learning and employer partnerships.
Expanded workforce and healthcare training, with CNA graduates moving directly into employment and new programs launching.
Community-building recreation programs that brought families, students, and residents together on campus throughout the fall.
The CWC Library continues to see strong growth in student engagement and academic support across campus:
The Library recorded 14,446 patron visits and supported 53 class visits, orientations, and outreach events this fall, strengthening information literacy and research skills.
Students and faculty saved more than $89,000 through physical and digital library resources, helping reduce the cost of learning.
Library staff worked closely with faculty on course and assignment redesign, enhancing student engagement and expanding the use of open educational resources.
New Information Literacy I & II courses are in development, launching in Fall 2026 to further support academic success.
TRIO Student Support Services supported over 300 active students this fall, continuing its role as a cornerstone of student success at CWC.
The program celebrated First-Generation College Student Day, honoring students and faculty breaking new ground through higher education.
TRIO also welcomed students back to campus, recognized tutors, and provided a supportive space for connection and academic success.
CWC’s next five-year TRIO grant has been approved, ensuring continued support for students in the years ahead.
Dubois Community Outreach Highlights
Dubois Community Outreach offered a wide range of recreational and educational programs in October and November, serving participants of all ages and strengthening local partnerships.
The program hosted 17 total programs, engaging nearly 300 youth and adults across fitness, arts, and lifelong learning activities.
Collaborations continued with the Dubois Branch Library, and a new partnership launched with the Dubois Museum for an oral history workshop.
Fall programming generated $1,302 in net revenue, reflecting strong community interest and participation.
This fall was a season of transition for CWC Lander and the Alpine Science Institute, and staff across the center stepped up to ensure students and community members continued to receive strong support.
Team members covered student services, advising, events, and daily operations during staffing transitions, demonstrating exceptional collaboration and commitment.
Community education programs expanded outdoor learning, providing no-cost climbing and biking experiences for local K–12 students through grant support.
The Regenerative Food Systems Program completed a four-season greenhouse, enabling sustainable, year-round growing using renewable energy systems.
Admissions and Student Records continue to support students and campus partners through active recruitment, enrollment efforts, and service enhancements.
Admissions staff remain highly engaged, connecting with prospective students through campus tours, outreach campaigns, and school visits, with strong interest in programs such as Cosmetology, Nursing, Health Science, Engineering, and Criminal Justice.
While enrollment is currently tracking slightly below last year, advising and registration activity remains strong, and teams are optimistic as walk-ins and appointments continue.
Planning is underway for Discover Day 2026, along with exploration of additional recruitment events to support future enrollment.
Student Records welcomed Anna Hemming as the new Rustler Central Assistant, reflecting CWC’s commitment to internal growth and staff development.
Classified Staff Association Highlights
Classified staff across CWC played a vital role this fall and early winter, supporting students, strengthening campus life, and giving back to the community.
Staff assisted families with FAFSA completion, supported a significant increase in Testing Center activity, and enhanced student spaces like The Grind with new features and updates.
Volunteers came together to support students during finals through Finals Feed, providing a late-night meal and encouragement during a high-stress time.
Classified staff fostered campus connection through holiday events and traditions, including Secret Santa, the 12 Days of CWC Christmas, and the annual holiday party.
CWC staff proudly represented the college at the CES Festival of Trees, raising funds for a vital community organization and donating the decorated tree back to the college.
CWC faculty continue to advance experiential learning, curriculum innovation, and student research across disciplines.
Expedition Science and GIS students engaged in hands-on learning through field-based coursework, including a BIOL 1080 trip to Grand Teton National Park focused on ecosystems, land management, and biodiversity.
Faculty strengthened programs through grant-supported curriculum updates, national collaboration at the ATE Innovators Conference, and the revitalization of the Environmental GIST Program, expanding pathways into field-based science careers.
Students showcased original research using GIS tools to explore climate data and changes in Wind River glaciers.
Mathematics faculty engaged in national dialogue at the AMATYC Conference, and Dr. Mike Bostick earned his PhD and will present research on community college calculus success at a national conference.
The CWC Foundation continues to support student success while advancing its fundraising and stewardship efforts.
The report features a student spotlight on Keira Lincoln, a student-athlete majoring in Nursing, highlighting the impact of scholarships on student achievement.
Updates include financial and endowment reports, progress toward campaign goals, and details on recent grant activity supporting CWC programs.
The Foundation also shares information about the Darrell Winfield Scholarship Endowment, recognizing its role in supporting students and honoring its legacy.
As we begin a new year, I want to thank our students, faculty, staff, and community partners for the energy, care, and commitment reflected in these updates. The work happening across CWC, inside classrooms, across campuses, and throughout our communities, reminds me why this college matters so deeply. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and to continuing our work together in support of student success and community impact.
