by Kelly Rogge
Cheryl Coleman might not have been at Kansas City Kansas Community College for a long time, but as she prepares for retirement, there is quite a bit she will miss about the community college.
“I will miss the staff and faculty here at the college,” said the human resources director at KCKCC. “I have learned a lot and enjoyed working with everyone.”
Coleman has been director of human resources at KCKCC, for the last five years. Prior to coming to college, she was the director of human resources for 18 years at Swope Parkway Health Center and spent three years at MAST Ambulance. She also worked for three years at KCATA and for five years as a civil rights investigator for the city of Kansas City, Mo.
“I am a baby boomer and just thought it was time to retire,” she said about her decision to retire. “I want to spend more time with my mother and do whatever I desire.”
Looking back on her time at KCKCC, Coleman said she is proud of the annual open enrollment sessions, starting formal new employee orientations and always being available for KCKCC employees whenever questions needed answered. She said she believes in learning, so she enjoyed learning something new every day no matter how big or small.
“What I hoped for was to do a good job every, single day,” she said. “I think I have learned something from every division and employee I have come in contact with.”
In retirement, Coleman said she plans to volunteer at her church, volunteer at a social agency and perhaps take an exercise or dance class – after she takes the first few weeks to sit and enjoy the free time. She said she is also thinking about possibly working full-time and of course, spending more time with her grandchildren.
“My hope for KCKCC is to see an increase in enrollment and for divisions, employees and management to work together more often,” she said. “I just want to see continued growth in the great programs at the college.”
Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor for Kansas City Kansas Community College.