By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Barton Community College is still on pace to name their next president of the college on Jan. 30. Tuesday marked the first of two finalists that participated in a community forum in Great Bend.
Dr. Marcus Garstecki is originally from Wisconsin, and started his career in athletics, wanting to become a coach. Spending seven years as a coach at Dodge City Community College, Garstecki became familiar with western Kansas and Barton.
Garstecki now has more than 25 years of higher education experience, including his current role as the chief enrollment management officer at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Garstecki mentioned he has enjoyed getting young men and women ready for the workforce and involved in their communities.
"Service is an important thing," said Garstecki. "I believe it's important to teach our students and provide them with the avenues to give back. I think it's important as an institution we provide that opportunity to our students while enhancing our community."
Garstecki and his wife have a son, a 17-year-old. With their son graduating high school this year, Garstecki and his wife felt this was a good time to pursue his dream of leading a college.
One forum question from the public asked the Barton president hopeful how he justifies higher education in Barton County and the value to the taxpayers.
"We want to be graduating students who are going to be employees in our community," said Garstecki. "If any of our community members need healthcare...Barton Community College is the one providing those graduates. We produce graduates that are ready to go to work and can earn a high-paying, high-skilled job. Then they are productive members of our community and contribute to the tax base."
The other finalist, Dr. Seth Carter, held his public forum Thursday at inside the Fine Arts Building on the Barton campus.
RELATED STORY: Hear from Dr. Seth Carter
Current Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman is set to retire at the end of the school year after serving 17 years as president.
Listen below to the public forum with Dr. Marcus Garstecki that took place Jan. 16, 2024.