
Learn more about Student Senates’s “Gives Market” 2025.

Meet the student playwright for this years “New Works Initiative” Workshop production Georgia Wallace! Get to know a little bit about her and her inspiration on creating Scythe. Follow JCCC Theatre online to know more about the department and it’s productions.

Warm hot cocoa, cookies and Christmas carols: Christmas at the Caboose serves as a festive kickoff to the holiday season, along with a holiday food drive for the Student Basic Needs Center. It is taking place this Friday at 6 p.m. They are requesting items like canned vegetables and cranberry sauce, stuffing and cornbread mix,…

How many of you have taken public speaking just because it was required for your major? For those of you who have or are currently taking it, you have the potential to earn some money from it. The Stine Speaking Showcase is an end-of-semester showcase sponsored by the Communication Studies Department, highlighting students from COMS…

Come with The Messenger to see some of what JCCC’s job and internship fair had to offer. We spoke with two professionals and got the inside scoop.

With the holiday season around the corner, the thought of how much money goes into the festivities is on everyone’s mind. For those who can’t afford to buy gifts, JCCC Gives allows those families to experience that part of the holiday season.

Every semester, the daunting trip to the bookstore sneaks up on every Cavalier. This fall season is especially chilling with the recent availability of winter textbooks. Soon, the question of “to rent, or not to rent?” will become the talk of the campus. Should you put your wallet through purchasing books, or have less freedom…

Let’s be honest, filling out the FAFSA every semester can be a struggle–and college expenses can be even more overwhelming. But do not fear, for Finance Night is here to help connect you to the resources you need for a successful and cost-effective college experience. On Wednesday, Nov. 19, you will learn how to jumpstart…

Imagine you’re all out of gas and you really don’t want to go to the gas station before class in the morning. Lucky for you, JCCC partnered with RideKC, and anyone can ride for free on the KC Metro area bus route.

The results are in. Students used their voices in the satisfaction surveys and had good things to say about JCCC campus and staff. The survey was administered in the spring of 2025 and JCCC received 591 responses. The purpose of the survey is to find out if added initiatives are yielding the desired results for…

A new play is being put into production at JCCC–Machinal by Sophie Treadwell and directed by Scott Cox. The play is based on the true story of Ruth Snyder, a woman who conspired to murder her husband with the help of her lover in 1927. She was sentenced to death by electrocution. Sophie Treadwell was…

On Nov. 6, veterans from the Vietnam war took part in a Veteran Oral History Panel organized by the Veteran and Military Student Resource Center.

With a ballroom full of laughter, music, and fine dining, the JCCC Foundation’s Some Enchanted Evening Gala may look just like any other celebration. But behind the glitz and glamor, this event is responsible for raising over $1.5 million in scholarships for JCCC students.

How many times have you circled the parking lots looking for a spot close to your classes for the day? Ever had to walk forever just to get to one class? Things might start to change according to the college’s new Facilities Master Plan, which could call for more parking.

Studying abroad can be a daunting decision to make, and moving away from home for an extended period of time is not always the ideal choice for some. A tool you can use to help make that decision is Global Engagement, located in COM 201. They offer information on study away programs, exchange programs and…

Follow the students from Professor Price’s Advanced Video Production class while they talk about whether or not Community Colleges get bad reputations.

On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the general election took place. Four JCCC Board of Trustees positions and the Overland Park mayor were up for election. The unofficial results are as follows:

Has the usual JCCC student heard of the term “food insecurity?” The term dovetails with “food deserts,” another term in vogue nowadays. Both terms basically describe a dearth of food in one’s life. These conditions are usually linked to persistent poverty or a lack of possible food options in the area one frequents and/or lives.…

Guest Speaker Josh Rivedal is coming to JCCCs’ campus. On Nov. 5 in GEB 233, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. there will be an interactive discussion on suicide prevention. He is not your average public speaker–Josh is CEO and founder of The i’Mpossible Project, an organization looking to achieve the impossible for suicide prevention.…

With general elections right around the corner, it is more important than ever to learn about who you’re going to be voting for. This election happens to have close-to-home candidates on the ballot: JCCC Board of Trustees Members.

From classroom to classroom, Student Access Services is leaving lasting impacts on students in need. For every meeting and accommodation created, they unveil new opportunities for students with documented disabilities to get the education they deserve. Access Advisor Megan Kissel explains how Student Services meet with students every day in order to get them the…

In times such as these, the need for young adults to make their voices heard has become increasingly vital to the nation. There is a significant election taking place very close to home. Right here on JCCC’s campus, the Virginia Krebs Community Room in MTC is holding early casting votes to elect the JCCC Board…

Peace of mind, and help at the touch of a button–that’s what the RAVE Guardian app can provide. Campus threats, severe weather, medical emergencies and more, you’re covered. The JCCC Campus Police force has made campus safety easy. The Guardian app is a simple and free resource right on your phone for every situation.

Over the weekend, JCCC was one of the many sites of the “No Kings” protests taking place nationwide. The lawn on the corner of College Boulevard and Quivira welcomed about 6,000 protesters for the rally and protest, hosted by “Boots on the Ground Midwest.” The loud honking of car horns and shouts from roadside supporters,…

JCCC has a new addition on campus, but it’s something you might not see right away. Right on top of the Billington library is the brand new weather station.

The organization “Boots on the Ground Midwest” has organized a “No Kings” rally–a protest to take place on the lawn at the corner of College Boulevard and Quivira on Saturday, Oct. 18. The No Kings protests were originally started by the organization “50501” (pronounced fifty-fifty-one). 50501 was founded in Feb. 2025 after a meme was…

Today, Oct. 14, is the last day to register to vote in Kansas for the Nov. 4 general election, and if you can’t make it, it’s never too late to register for future elections and allow your voice to be heard. Primary elections are held on the first Tuesday of August and general elections are…

(Photo by: Sh1pp02, 2022 Kansas United States House of Representatives election by Congressional District, Attribution 4.0 International) Will Kansas Get A New District Map? Whether the 2026 midterms will be your first chance to vote or you’re a veteran at the polls, there might be something new awaiting you next year. Republicans in Kansas are…

Need help figuring out how to start your job search with your best foot forward? Career Month is Oct. 6 to Nov. 5, featuring many Career Development Events that will help you with just that, readying you to show off your best self. There is plenty to choose from during the month:

Four At-Large Seats Up For Grabs In 2025 JCCC Board Of Trustee Election It is election season and JCCC is no stranger to that. This year, eight candidates are seeking four of the JCCC Board of Trustee’s positions up for election. Earlier this month in JCCC’s Polsky Theater in the Midwest Trust Center, the candidates…

Dropping a class can be an intimidating prospect, and with being “Last day to drop with no refund and no ‘W’ on transcript,” for many classes, some students might be unsure of where to begin. First, consider whether you are receiving any form of financial aid. According to JCCC’s page on dropping credit classes, “If…

The Student Peacebuilder’s Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 10 was hosted by Rachel Milner, who founded Bellwether International in 2019 in London. Milner started her anti-genocide work in Iraq with the Yazidi’s, and started Bellwether International with a grant provided to her by a family foundation. Naming the organization after a bellwether of a sheep’s flock,…

The Education Data Initiative reports that in 2025, “the average cost of college in the United States is $38,270 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses.” With big numbers like this looming over students’ heads, the freedom college is meant to provide can quickly turn into a prison of struggle and…

If you live in Kansas City, there is no way you haven’t heard about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement. The couple shared the announcement via Instagram on Tuesday, August 26, at noon. The caption of the post read “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”

It is the start of a new school year, and The Messenger is beginning its second year of production! Hi everybody, my name is Baptiste Raffin, and I am the new editor-in-chief of The Messenger. I am very excited to launch this new season of The Messenger, with the same things you loved last year:…

Summer is almost here, and the JCCC’s Police Department has a few recommendations to assure that you have the safest summer possible.

Since last Fall, English professor Danny Alexander has been teaching a seminar on AI and the future of work, for the JCCC Honors program. The seminar is focused on the students researching AI, and the work they hope to be doing beyond college.

GSA, for the uninitiated, provides a safe, inclusive gathering space, education through Diversity Days at the end of each month, and resources. These events and resources are with the goal of protecting the well-being of queer students, but all students, faculty, and staff are always welcome.

“The Earth Days collection is more about providing education, community service, and easily accessible sustainable options to individuals for items that they want to get rid of,” Anton said. “By volume and by environmental impact, it’s a drop in the bucket.”

Registration for Fall classes opened on April 23, and if you have not started looking at what your schedule will look like next semester, now is the right time to do so. JCCC’s Counseling Center is here to help you with planning your classes.

The Midwest Trust Center in partnership with JCCC’s Center for Sustainability is putting on the free event, ‘Life on Our Planet’ Sustainability Presentation and Q&A with Dan Tapster, Friday, May 2 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Craig Auditorium (GEB 233).

The 2025 CavCraze will take place on May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in COM Plaza & Fountain Square.

“It feels really good. I wasn’t really expecting to win,” Fisher said. “The thing that I wanted to do with my speech is really just to share it. I don’t really care about the money. I don’t really care about the scholarship I get from it. Honestly, my dad’s death has been something that I…

We reported on March 13 that Dr. Tony Miksa will soon become Johnson County Community College’s new president, taking over from Interim President Dr. Judy Korb, who had been in the position since Jan. 2, 2024. As we are getting closer to Dr. Miksa assuming his functions on July 1, we asked JCCC students, teachers,…

Have you ever engaged in a formal act of public speaking? That is, dressed up in front of an audience? It can be quite a chore, but it also has its own rewards. JCCC’s renown Debate team has had myriad successes over the past few years. For instance, the team had a banner year in 2022. The…

Summer is quickly approaching, and if you are looking to earn money during the school break, the JCCC Career Development Center has an event for you. The center is hosting the first ever Summer Job Fair on April 16.

The Spring 2025 edition of the Stine Speaking Showcase will take place on Wednesday, April 16. The final round, open to the public, is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Hudson Auditorium.

The Student Senate strives to address student concerns and improve communication. Their goal is to improve their experience here at JCCC. But, according to Bennett, a Student Senator’s job does not end at the Senate.

“It’s a great party for grads, we’re celebrating grads, and not only grads, we want them to bring their friends, maybe people who will be graduating next year,” Blond said. They can see how this event is fun and how it’s fun to be at JCCC, and they will be very excited to come here…

“[It’s] an honor society here at JUCO, and we do research projects and we have volunteering, service events, and we work on a college project,” Ashlyn Guinn said. “We work with the college to help either with their needs or sometimes we can suggest something if they don’t have anything for us.”

The Student Basic Needs Center (SBNC) is located in GEB 153, next to the game room. It’s open all weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Wednesdays, when it’s open an hour longer. If you visit, you can receive tips for free insurance, borrow a laptop and Wi-Fi hotspot for the semester, and even…

“When you get out of the military, you have a lot of benefits that people don’t know of, they don’t tell you about, and same with military affiliated, whether that’s spouses [or] children,” Weber said. “So we help them use those benefits to further their education. Then if they need any other help for mental…

“Recent federal guidelines indicate that failure to comply could cause colleges to lose all federal funding. For JCCC, that includes approximately 22 million dollars each year that is awarded to our students in federal financial aid. There are other federally funded grants or programs that could be at risk, but the largest amount is in financial aid…

Dr. Tony Miksa speaks at the Student Open Forum in CoLab, Wednesday, Feb. 19. (Photo by Yan Luciano Arantes Dornelos Souza.) More than a year and a half after the resignation of Dr. Andy Bowne, Johnson County Community College will finally have a permanent President starting July 1. In an email sent to the JCCC…

Industrial Technology Career Fair Set for Tuesday Are you an Industrial Technology student looking for job opportunities or insight into your desired career? There will be a career fair on Tuesday, March 11 from 3 – 5 p.m. for all industrial technology students, hosted by the Career Development Center, when local businesses gather at the…

“My advice for young black entrepreneurs would be to not allow ‘black’, not allow that term or that word to identify you. Know who you are by your roots, but understand that we all bleed blood. We all bleed the same blood.”

JCCC Interim President Judy Korb explained that “failure to comply could risk federal financial aid funding for our students, and that is not an option.”

Simply put, Americans waste tons of food. Kanbe’s Markets wants to ameliorate this discrepancy by saving and reusing certain types of food wastes. It’s a bit like recycling plastic or paper on and off campus.

Dr. Tony Miksa speaks at the Student Open Forum in CoLab, Wednesday, Feb. 19. Photo by Yan Luciano Arantes Dornelos Souza. By Baptiste Raffin JCCC held student forums with the three presidential finalists candidates on Feb. 17, 19 and 21. Each day, the finalists faced JCCC students and answered a series of pre-prepared questions. Below…

Attend the Black Owned Business Expo hosted by the Black Student Union (BSU), Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in CoLab OCB 100. At 12:30 p.m., Elaina Paige Thomas will come out as the event’s keynote speaker.