
The image goes deeper than it sounds. Tar pits aren’t actually hot, O’Connor pointed out. They’re about the same temperature as the air around them, so by the time you realize you’re stuck, breaking free can feel nearly impossible.

“I feel like his experience and his story, how he felt like an equal here, a person who was treated with such respect and dignity, I think that’s really powerful here,” said Crawford.

Hultgren closed the email by stating that she understands how this news brings uncertainty and disappointment to the student parents affected.

Budgeting is a helpful skill because it helps balance, covering your needs, enjoying your wants, reaching goals and avoiding financial stress.

JCCC’s annual Harvest Days highlights sustainability, agriculture, local food and community involvement through a series of events held during the month of October. The 2026 program gives students, employees, and community members opportunities to learn more about sustainable practices while participating in seasonal activities across campus.

“Somebody who really wants to hurt women, they’re not going to stop because of a bathroom. They’re going to keep doing that. You’re just now also hurting trans people,” said member Verity Alexander.

Without CCAMPIS, Kai-Tierra Lane, a student studying business administration, would have to choose between caring solely for her child or continuing her education.

Effective immediately, undocumented JCCC students residing in Kansas must pay the out-of-state tuition rate of $250 per credit hour. This new ruling is expected to affect tuition affordability for many JCCC students.

Prosecutors charged Rodrigo Sanchez-Flores, 27, of De Soto, Kansas, with one count of first-degree rape and one count of first-degree sodomy in Jackson County Circuit Court earlier this month.

Washington continued that she hopes the event can eventually expand to include prospective students and provide more direct connections between academic programs and careers. She also envisions bringing industry professionals to future Discovery Days so students can learn about what is happening in their potential fields, as well as mentorship opportunities.

“While [students] may not be compensated, it does add to skills in really great ways that translate nicely when getting that job, and it does help you answer questions in an interview in a more educated way than just ‘I studied this,’” Mann said. “You can say, ‘Well, I actually did this in some sort…

Depending on weather conditions, and whether plants are still nectar-producing, teams will embark with butterfly nets in hand to designated areas of campus and/or Stoll Park at 3:15 p.m., where butterflies are expected to be active, before returning to the classroom at 4 p.m.

According to the chair of the AI task force, R.W. Singh, some professors may not be on board with disclosing whether they are using AI to generate work in the classroom.

Loud Light Empowers Kansas Youth to Vote Ahead of Upcoming Election: On Nov. 3, Kansans will vote for both national and state candidates. The local political nonprofit organization, Loud Light, hopes to drive home the importance of registering to vote in the ninth-youngest state, so Kansas youth can make their voices heard. Founded in Topeka,

Part of being stewards is helping keep tuition costs down for the local community and making JCCC affordable for all students.

So, to mark this 25th anniversary, we should, as a nation, pause to reflect on all the sacrifices everyone has made since that day. Take a moment to reflect on the day’s impact by thanking a firefighter, a police officer, a veteran, or an active-duty service member for their service. And most of all, I…

Without the president, vice president and other executive board members in place, the Senate faced an unusual start to the fall semester. The Senate would not be able to conduct normal business, hold regularly scheduled meetings or run the four committees it oversaw.

Named “A New Hub for Healthcare,” as per the information page, the purpose of the building is to meet the growing demand for increased enrollment capacity and the expansion of current and new programs. The location will be near the Science and Classroom Laboratory buildings.

The event will be held at the COM Plaza and Fountain Square from 10am to 2pm. There will be varieties of entertainment provided, including games and challenges for you to partake in.

Welcome or welcome back, Cavs! The new school year has arrived, and classes and activities are in full swing. To avoid last-minute scrambling that may affect your already busy schedule, look out for these important dates and deadlines that will be here before you know it.

Incoming firefighters were not educated enough about the risks of job-related cancers, but that is changing.

Students and faculty arriving for the day are finding parking more difficult because parking garages and spaces are already full. This has caused students to spend extra time driving around to find a parking spot, creating delays for students and heavier traffic while they search for spots.

For many first-generation students, college can feel isolating. Without parents who have experienced higher education themselves, many are left to figure things out on their own. Things such as financial aid or internships can be hard to navigate when you don’t have any prior knowledge of the topic.

“I graduated high school here in Johnson County,” said Stephene Moore, a scholarship donor at Johnson County Community College. “There was no hope whatsoever that I’d be able to go to school.” That reality wasn’t unusual in the late 1960s. It was simply the way things were. “My brother was in college, and I was

JCCC student Olivia Cramer sat down to finish an assignment due at midnight on the evening of May 7, only to find that Canvas was down. She was upset when her brother informed her that it was not functioning due to a hack.

It’s the week before finals, and everyone is feeling the pressure to start writing essays, planning projects and cramming for exams. The problem is you can’t–at least right now. At 4:13 p.m. on May 7, JCCC alerted faculty and students through its alert system that Canvas would be down for the time being. The following statement…

Across the JCCC campus, the use of AI is still a topic of debate. JCCC continues to work toward a use of AI on campus that is both productive for the students and the professors. JCCC’s position on the matter is not to fear AI.

On the last Wednesday of April, individuals are encouraged worldwide to wear denim. But why denim, you may be asking?

With the recent opening of summer enrollment and fall enrollment about to begin, these questions are likely to be the big thing on the minds of returning students: what classes are most recommended? What tips and tricks should students live by during this enrollment season?

In its first year of eligibility, The Messenger won 18 awards at the 2026 Kansas Collegiate Media Awards last weekend in Wichita, including All Kansas For Online & Digital Media for a 2 year school.

In 2011, the Center for Sustainability set two major goals: to become a zero-waste-to-landfill campus by 2025 and to be 100% reliant on renewable energy by 2050. While the 2050 goal was met early in 2017 by moving to solar and wind energy, the 2025 zero-waste goal remains unmet.

JCCC Executive Vice President and Provost Mickey McCloud and AI Task Force Chair R.W. Singh discussed the new AI guidelines for the university during an AI Town Hall.

Beloved Scene Shop Foreman for the Department of Music and Theatre, Sean Leistico, sadly passed away on March 23, 2026.

The Messenger’s Sammie Magee talks with newly elected trustee Chad Carroll about his vision for JCCC and his experience with community college.

During a press conference held with students before Spring Break, JCCC President Tony Miksa discussed why JCCC will raise tuition for the upcoming FY 2026-27.

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s food drive is live now through spring break to support JCCC’s Student Basic Needs Center. Located in GEB 153, this organization supports students who are struggling to buy food and other personal care items.

There are JCCC students who face more pressure than tests and homework. They face the daily reality of missed meals or not knowing when or where the next meal will come. The Student Basic Needs Center aims to raise awareness of student hardship on campus and assist individuals facing difficulties.

“Nuts,” is how JCCC student Emma Weis described her feelings about bus fares returning. After six years of free public transportation, Kansas City’s nearly 12 million bus riders will have to start paying $2 a ride starting in June, according to Kansas City News and NPR.

The honor society, Phi Theta Kappa is holding a food drive for the Student Basic Needs Center through the month of March. Organizers will collect non-perishable foods, like baby formula, rice, and canned goods, as well as essentials such as soap, toothpaste, diapers, and laundry detergent in the Honors Lounge (GEB 140).

How much personal information is too much to entrust to the internet? Your phone number? Your address? Your credit card number? What about your actual face? Digital turmoil recently ensued over this debate when Discord announced its global ID verification update that will go into effect in March.

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

Veterans transitioning from military service to campus life can find the move challenging.

On Thursday Feb. 12th, many students gathered at The Fine Arts & Design Studios (FADS) presentation on AI, to express their disapproval of the institution’s choice to display art generated by artificial intelligence in its Spring 2026 exhibit.

This year marks the 250th Anniversary of America, and January 29th was Kansas Day. Clearly, JCCC knows how to celebrate, and that is with an exhibit hosted by Humanities Kansas, an organization the college decided to partner with for this exciting anniversary celebration. This has provided our campus with the opportunity to learn about the…

(Photo by: Garrett Lovell) As AI is quickly evolving, we are growing up in an era where we are told that we shouldn’t be using AI in our coursework, but should we be learning how to use it as a tool instead of staying away from it? Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI, has become

Many students in their last semester at Johnson County Community College are guilty of checking out mentally, with one foot out the door of the student commons and into the real world. However I urge you, before you check out completely, to make sure you’re actually able to get what you came here for: your…

Cold weather is back and so are classes. The Spring semester is finally in session and our staff is ready to get back to work to deliver you the best in news, life, and sports.

Meet the JCCC Professor who runs the “New Works Initiative” Workshop Dr.Scott Cox! Get to know a little bit about him and the New Works Initiative on campus. Follow JCCC Theatre online to know more about the department and it’s productions.

Catch up with three actors from JCCC’s production of Machinal directed by Dr. Scott Cox. Check out JCCC Theatre’s socials for more information on how to see future shows! Admissions are always free.

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…