Student Sustainability Idea Contest Is Looking For Fresh Ideas

The Student Sustainability Committee (SCC) is accepting proposals for the Student Sustainability Idea Contest until April 30.

Since its founding in 2008, the SCC has allowed JCCC students to take the lead in eco-friendly ingenuity. The SCC is responsible for allocating the Sustainability Initiatives Fund, paid for by a $1 fee attached to each credit hour. Past initiatives, still in action, include the recycling and compost program, the use of bird safe windows, solar panels and charging stations and installing bird and bat houses around campus.

JCCC’s Center for Sustainability has the ambitious goal of becoming a 100% renewable-energy campus by 2050. While they did not meet their zero-waste-to-landfill by the 2025 goal, they did earn a gold ranking from STARS, The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, in May of 2025.

Students can help decide how to invest in the future by joining the Student Sustainability Committee, or you can incorporate the issue into your coursework through the Sustainability Distinction Program.

-Copper Ramberg

Future-Proofing Work: Emergency Medical Science 

You may see them as you pass by in your car or walking to class: The EMS program is one of the more public classes at JCCC.

According to the JCCC course overview, EMTs are in high demand and have a starting average salary of 20 dollars. According to statistics on ZipRecruiter, the average yearly salary for an EMT is about 48,700 a year.

There are three stages to the EMS program; One, the Emergency Medical Responder certificate (6 credit hours), two, the Emergency Medical Technician certificate (12 credit hours), and the final stage is the Paramedic certificate (46 credit hours), which students have to apply for.

Here is a list of courses students in the EMS program will take.

To get hired for an EMS job, check with the state you are trying to work in to see the requirements. In the state of Kansas, you need an EMT certificate to apply for most jobs.

Check out JCCC’s EMS program page to learn more.

– Ian Buhrle

Future-Proofing Work: JCCC Dental Hygiene Program Serves In Multiple Ways 

JCCC’s two-year Dental Hygiene program is not just great for low-cost teeth cleanings, it also prepares students for a successful career in the dental field.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Dental Hygienists is expected to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average of all occupations.

JCCC offers the program as preparation required for the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE). Students in this program achieve a 96.4 percent first-time pass rate on the NBDHE and clinical licensure exams.

The program is four semesters long, with real patient work starting during the second semester at the JCCC’s Dental Hygiene Clinic.

JCCC Dental Hygiene students offer services under the guidance of dentists and licensed dental hygienists. Services range from oral examinations, X-rays, and fluoride treatments. The clinic provides services to the community for $10 each service.

More information on the program and prerequisites can be found on the JCCC website.

– Jamilete Hernandez