During their monthly meeting at Papa Don’s Friday, members of the Bourbon County Young Professionals League heard a report from Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston about the current status of the community college.

Johnston joined FSCC in June and said she has felt very welcomed by the entire community, saying she has been encouraged by the amount of participation and activities of members of the community.

“It is these small communities that make the economy of Kansas works,” Johnston said. “It certainly makes Fort Scott Community College work and I think it’s very beneficial to the community itself, to young people, really to everybody involved.”

Johnston said the college currently has about 1,800 students and 150 employees and offers not just core classes that can transfer to other, four-year universities, but also more specialized programs such as in cosmetology, nursing and truck-driving schools.

While not a large community college, Johnston said their goal is not to focus on increasing their size and numbers, but make sure they stay true to their mission of providing opportunities for the students as well as the businesses where those students might work.

“Our vision is that we grow but in the areas that we need to to meet our mission,” Johnston said.

YPL members had an opportunity to ask Johnston questions after her presentation, such as inquiring as to whether the college has plans to expand their programs, change the weekly schedule for the cosmetology students to provide more opportunities for experience, and what percentage of the student population are from Bourbon County.

Johnston said she was pleased to see the young people in the YPL who are involved in and invested in the Fort Scott community.

“It’s very rewarding to see young people come back to communities, be able to give of their time and expertise,” Johnston said.

“It is these small communities that make the economy of Kansas works,” Johnston said. “It certainly makes Fort Scott Community College work and I think it’s very beneficial to the community itself, to young people, really to everybody involved.”