by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC
Michele Bach has seen many changes since she started at Kansas City Kansas Community College in 1986.
“Wow, where to start,” she said of the changes she has seen over almost 30 years. “Dr. (Doris) Givens is the fourth president and Dr. Ed Kremer is the seventh dean I’ve worked with. The TEC is now a reality, increasing the numbers of students and employees, and buildings and programs have grown and been added. We are a happening place.”
Bach started as instructional staff in the Academic Resource Center teaching developmental mathematics. The position was brand-new and created to complement the reading and writing components that were already in place.
In 1988, the three instructional ARC staff members transitioned to faculty and five years later, each became part of their respective departments. Bach is currently a professor of math.
“KCKCC is an incredible place to work,” she said. “Each day brings new challenges and rewards.”
Bach has an associate of arts from Donnelly College and a bachelor of arts from the University of Maryland. She also earned a master of science from the University of Utah and a master of science from Kansas State University.
Prior to coming to KCKCC, she was the tutor coordinator for the college of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas.
“It was time personally and for my family,” she said of retiring. “I’ll miss being able to make a small difference in the lives of the students I was privileged to have in my classes.”
Bach said she has many fond memories of her time at KCKCC. She said the community college was the first community college in Kansas to use the Academic Systems. This allowed faculty and staff to design and implement computer-assisted math classes. Another major highlight was her work on the Title III grant as the math consultant.
“That offered me the opportunity to apply my research in developmental education,” she said.
As for what she will do once she retires, Bach already has a number of plans in the works.
“I plan to relax by the pool for the summer and spend more time with my grandkids,” she said. “I’ll teach online in fall semester for both the nursing department and the EMS program. Travel is always a major part of my life so I’ll definitely be planning trips with family and friends.”
Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.