Sheridan College President Addresses Concerns with Legislators

Dr Walt Tribley. Sheridan College president, discussed his concerns with the Wyoming Legislators at the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Sheridan City Hall.

Legislators attending were Senators Bo Biteman and Dave Kinskey, along with representatives Barry Crago, Mark Jennings, Ken Pendergraft, and Cyrus Western.

Tribley joined the forum via zoom, and one of his concerns at the college was funding for the adult education programs, which had more than doubled in enrollment in Johnson County recently. He felt that this is something they needed to be doing regardless of the funding.

Tribley felt that Sheridan College was on the right path with this program, but larger classes cash-flowed better for the college than the smaller classes.

Wyoming Works is a program which provides resources for adult students to learn a skill and helps them secure employment. He also said the college offers personal enrichment classes as well.

He said that the college has approval for two new classes. One is a two year degree program in software development, and it can lead to a four year degree. He added that they already have students enrolled in this class.

“It can be a great career,” he said.

They also have developed an advance manufacturing education program. They are renovating the old Emit building, to house the classes, with the help of state funding. “Thank you Senator Kinskey,” he said.

Kinskey added this about the Wyoming Tomorrow program’s funding.

Western asked about the way that the CTE degree classes are funded, saying that as he understood it they did not cash-flow.

“Nursing and welding are always more expensive,” Tribley told the legislators. He added that they were proud of what Sheridan College can offer to the community.