COLBY -- Colby Community College President Seth Carter was recently named Chair of the Rural Community College Alliance (RCCA) during the organization's annual meeting at Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles, Ore.

The RCCA is a national organization that helps its member institutions serve the 89.3 million people who reside in rural America. RCCA seeks to promote a more economically, culturally, and civically vibrant rural America through advocacy, convening, leveraging resources, and serving as a clearinghouse for innovative practice, policy, and research. The RCCA has over 100 institutional members and over 200 individual members.

"The RCCA is an organization that I deeply believe in," said President Carter. "I have spent the entirety of my life in rural communities and fully understand the quality of life our areas present. The RCCA seeks to provide representation and advocacy for our rural community colleges. I am honored by the appointment and look forward to helping advance our rural institutions."

President Carter has been at Colby Community College since February 2015. During his tenure, the institution has consistently ranked among the highest student outcomes in the nation. He has been recognized by Phi Theta Kappa as a Distinguished College President twice (2019, 2022), a Paragon Award Winner (2019), and a Shirley B. Gordon Award Winner (2022). Additionally, he was the 2017 Thomas County Business Person of the Year, and in 2023, was listed by Ingram's Magazine as one of 50 Kansans You Should Know.

He earned associate degrees from Allen Community College and Colby Community College, a Bachelor of Arts from Emporia State University, a Master of Science from Pittsburg State University, and a Doctorate of Education from Baker University. Prior to his appointment at Colby, he worked at the Kansas Board of Regents and Flint Hills Technical College.

Dr. Carter and his wife Codi are parents to two daughters, Caysen and Chloe, and a son, Colin.