Candidates for the Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees disagree on how the college should handle admissions for certain immigrant students.
Their responses to a Beacon questionnaire about their priorities and assessments of the college come after the JCCC was in the news for its response to federal guidance.
That guidance reinterpreted existing law to disqualify certain categories of immigrants — including some with permission to be in the country — from adult education programs such as low-cost GED and English classes.
After it was released, Johnson County Community College began examining students’ immigration or citizenship documents to restrict those it believed to be unqualified.
But several candidates told The Beacon the college should instead keep eligibility the same for as long as possible. Candidates also disagreed on whether JCCC is appropriately transparent with the public and whether it has struck the right balance on taxation and spending.
In total, eight candidates will appear on the ballot Nov. 4. They include incumbents Dawn Rattan, Lee Cross and Mark Hamill and challengers Carlton Abner, Chad Carroll, Geoff Holton, Jerry Charlton and Kenneth Stokes.
Hamill, Abner, Charlton and Stokes all appear on the Johnson County Republican Party’s list of 2025 candidates, and they’ve held some campaign events together. Carroll, Cross, Holton and Rattan appear on a similar list for the Johnson County Democrats.
Hamill and Charlton did not respond to a questionnaire from The Beacon, but the other six candidates did. Their responses have been edited for grammar, clarity and AP style. Most of Abner’s responses were edited for length because they exceeded word limits given to candidates.
Here’s what they had to say.
Click the links to jump to a question or topic:
- Community college spending
- Immigrant students
- Transparency
- Community and industry connections
- What are the three biggest challenges the community college is facing?
- Name up to three specific things you would do on the board to address the most important issues facing the college.
- Where do you see room for improvement in making the college more accessible and affordable to a broad range of students?
Meet the candidates
Carlton Abner
Occupation and employer: Vice provost, student engagement and well-being, Kansas City University
Background and qualifications: I’m a doctoral-prepared professional with decades of leadership, military and adult education experience. As a senior leader working in higher education, I am uniquely positioned for this role due to my expertise on the unique needs of today’s college student.
If you were to take a class at your local community college next semester, what would it be? Home horticulture — I grew up in apartments. It would be great to have more knowledge on how to improve my lawn.
Campaign website: cc4ks.com
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/carlton.abner
Chad Carroll
Occupation and employer: Financial industry
Background and qualifications: I have volunteered for numerous organizations within our community. KC Scholars scholarship essay reviewer. Prep-KC engagement committee member. JoCo Academy Spring 2024 graduate. Olathe Comprehensive Plan steering committee member.
If you were to take a class at your local community college next semester, what would it be? Photography
Campaign website: https://www.carrollfortrustee.com/
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrollfortrustee, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadcarrollforjccc/
Dawn Rattan
Occupation and employer: Gym owner at EverFit and executive director of Downtown Shareholders of KCK
Background and qualifications: Incumbent trustee. Worked at Procter & Gamble in operations and human resources. Started two businesses. Currently working on downtown KCK revitalization. I am passionate about education because getting a chemical engineering degree changed my life.
If you were to take a class at your local community college next semester, what would it be? I would continue the project management classes I began.
Campaign website: rattanfortrustee.com
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rattanfortrustee/, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rattanfortrustee/
Geoff Holton
Occupation and employer: Sassafras Marketing, president
Background and qualifications: I have owned my own business for 25 years. The mandatory expectations of the role are things that I have been doing for a very long time and are natural for me — managing the president, setting policy, approving budget, planning.
If you were to take a class at your local community college next semester, what would it be? Something related to AI.
Campaign website: www.holtonfortrustee.com
Social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holton4trustee/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579023564956
Jerry Charlton
Charlton’s campaign team acknowledged receiving the questionnaire, but he did not respond before publication.
On his campaign website, Charlton described himself as a fifth-generation Johnson Countian whose great-grandfather “sold the land that became the home of JCCC.” He said he is a licensed engineer with more than 35 years of experience in design and construction and has been a sustainability consultant for JCCC, helping the college save on energy costs.
He wants to focus on high standards and strong support for teachers, academic excellence, student support, fiscal responsibility, preparing students for the modern workforce and long-term planning. In a post on his Facebook page, Charlton said the college must ensure that its programs meet local workforce needs and identify ways to streamline programs, questioning those that are low-performing. He also said he wants to improve the college’s facilities through “budget conscious renovation” and considering environment and financial sustainability for any new facilities.
He is listed on the Johnson County Republican Party’s 2025 Candidates webpage and has held campaign events with the other candidates on that list — Abner, Hamill and Stokes.
Kenneth Stokes
Occupation and employer: Youth pastor at Nexus Church, Spring Hill High School football coach
Background and qualifications: I’ve been involved with teens and young adult ministries for the last five years, coaching high school football the past six. Olathe East High School graduate. Attended Coffeyville Community College and Bacone College.
If you were to take a class at your local community college next semester, what would it be? Business administration
Campaign website: Kenny4jccc.com
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/Kenny4JCCC/
Lee Cross
Occupation and employer: Attorney
Background and qualifications: I love the college and learning and have 12 years of experience.
If you were to take a class at your local community college next semester, what would it be? Business, economics or history.
Campaign website: CrossForTheCollege.com
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/CrossForTheCollege
Mark Hamill
Hamill said he would try to complete the questionnaire but did not submit responses before publication.
He has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2022. “During my first term, I brought much-needed balance to the board,” Hamill wrote on his campaign Facebook page. “I’ve worked to lower property taxes, reduce tuition for Johnson County students, and ensure every dollar is spent wisely.” He also said he wants to “ensure students have affordable paths to careers in the trades and professions that keep our community strong.”
On his campaign website, Hamill said he attended JCCC and Emporia State University and has experience as a union carpenter before working in logistics operations, accounting and real estate. His priorities include affordable tuition, reducing the property tax mill levy and career-focused academics. He said he has never voted for a tuition increase, has proposed property tax relief and helped launch “hands-on programs like CDL training, plumbing and partnerships with businesses.”
He is listed on the Johnson County Republican Party’s 2025 Candidates webpage and has held campaign events with the other candidates on that list — Abner, Charlton and Stokes.
Multiple-choice questions
Community college spending
In my county…
- We’re spending too little on the community college, at the expense of students.
- We’re spending too much on the community college, at the expense of taxpayers.
- We’ve struck a good balance on taxes and community college spending.
Abner: We will most likely see a decline in enrollment due to the shifts taking place in higher education. Due to inflation and the need to keep top talent, we may still need to spend at least what we are now.
Rattan: Originally, state funds were to pay one-third of expenses along with tuition and local taxes. However taxpayers are supporting 67% of the college. I would like legislators to see the economic impact of JCCC in Johnson County and agree to pay one-third of expenses.
Editor’s note: The college’s 2025-26 budget anticipates general/postsecondary technical education revenue will be 66% property taxes, 15% tuition and fees, 14% state aid and 5% other income.
Holton: I, along with most of the people that I have talked to in Johnson County, believe that an educated population is foundational to providing the fundamental things that we expect as a community — good economy, quality infrastructure, health care, safety.
Stokes: JCCC must be wise stewards of taxpayer dollars. I’ll ensure spending focuses on academics — reading, writing, math, civics — cutting waste and keeping tuition and taxes low while putting students’ success first.
Cross: I believe the college is the best way for us to invest in people to teach them to do for themselves. They need to learn and earn good jobs, pay taxes, raise their families and repeat. This helps us build a more perfect union.
Immigrant students
Federal changes have reduced eligibility for public benefits for some categories of immigrants, which may affect access to certain community college programs. I’d advocate that we…
- Move quickly to restrict students that we believe aren’t eligible from enrolling.
- Keep eligibility requirements the same for as long as possible.
- Other (please explain).
Abner: There is a risk to nearly 98% of the other students at the college if we are found (or suspected of) being noncompliant. I would not risk JCCC’s resources trying to fight this. We can continue to advocate for change while staying compliant.
Rattan: These are people who are working on getting educated and improving their lives to become taxpayers.
Holton: As mentioned in the previous answer, I believe that access to education is fundamental to a thriving community. It is important that we see ALL students, meet them where they are, and show the paths at JCCC.
Stokes: Our focus must remain on Johnson County families and students. JCCC should prioritize citizens and legal residents, keeping resources on academics and ensuring taxpayer funds support student success, not federal loopholes.
Cross: In the words of President John Adams, they are people and they are here. As an attorney, I need to tell everyone to follow the law(s). Yet, the Christian in me believes that Judeo-Christian values require us to take care of everyone.
Transparency
I believe the board of trustees is appropriately transparent with the public…
- All of the time.
- Most of the time, but I have occasional concerns.
- Some of the time, but I often have concerns.
- Rarely. I have many concerns.
Rattan: I believe that we are transparent. We follow Kansas Open Records Act and Kansas Open Meetings Act regulations. We could do a survey to ask about perceptions on whether the community sees us as transparent.
Holton: I love that I have access to and can watch all board meetings. The one thing that I would like to see is a recap of the prior year. Kind of like a report card and the story that goes along with it. “We set out to do this….Success in…”
Stokes: Mark Hamill has been the only one that has been honest, in my opinion, when it comes to having moral standards and guidance.
Community and industry connections
The college adapts to community needs and works well with local businesses…
- Nearly all of the time.
- Most of the time, but I see some areas for improvement.
- Some of the time, but I see many areas that need improvement.
- Hardly ever.
Rattan: Elisa, Kate, Liz (JCCC administrators) and their teams continue to build strong relationships with industry and community. We are recognized as an economic driver in Johnson County, contributing $1.7 billion to the economy, and I think that is an indicator of how well we work with business.
Holton: I do feel like we can do better by proactively reaching out to business leaders and building data that informs decisions that we make to be a better resource for these companies. I will make it a priority to get our new president in front of these people.
Short answer questions
What are the three biggest challenges the community college is facing?
Abner: 1. Value — like all institutes of higher education, the value that students will gain must be apparent and it must be realized. 2. Meeting the unique needs of today’s college students. 3. Providing market-value skills that meet the current needs of area employers.
Carroll: I believe the biggest challenges facing Johnson County Community College are meeting the student demand for certain programs, inflation and a potential enrollment cliff.
Rattan: 1. Addressing workforce shortages (health care, IT, trades). 2. Changes to traditional education models. 3. Decreasing traditional students.
Holton: 1. We need to maintain local control. 2. We need to understand the enrollment cliff and market appropriately to students, parents and corporations. 3. We need to always be investing in innovation — AI for example. If we are not looking at growth, you will fall back.
Stokes: Tuition affordability, being good stewards of the budget and being more transparent.
Cross: Funding, political tensions across the state. Making sure our county and service area know we are here and what we offer.
Name up to three specific things you would do on the board to address the most important issues facing the college.
Abner: 1. I will work to expand partnerships with regional employers, build collaboration and help gain buy-in for adjustments to programs. 2. I will work with the faculty, staff and administration to provide them with a clear picture of what students’ needs are. 3. I will be an invaluable contributor to the formation of the college’s next strategic plan because of my experience in higher ed.
Carroll: Supporting the expansion of these high-demand programs, being a financial steward and focusing on connecting with potential students in local high schools and our community.
Rattan: Expand areas where there are workforce shortages to accommodate more students. Stay flexible and in contact with industry. Use hybrid learning models and microcredentials. Recruit nontraditional students and emphasize lifelong learning. Implement more wraparound services for students.
Holton: 1. Craft and market stories to students, parents, professionals and corporations. 2. Understand the new opportunities for education and build these into our curriculum for JCCC students as well as college students through the College Now program. 3. Understand paths for the trades better and invest in programs.
Stokes: I’ll restore focus to core academics, ensure fiscal responsibility with taxpayer dollars, and keep politics out of the classroom so students gain the skills they need to thrive in life and in the workforce.
Cross: Build relationships, advocate for better funding for all community colleges, support our faculty who teach our students, and simply put, be nice.
Where do you see room for improvement in making the college more accessible and affordable to a broad range of students?
Abner: The members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha have not socially matured at the same pace as earlier generations. JCCC can offer a less jarring immersion into the college journey. The more exposure to higher education we offer high school students, the more familiar that becomes, which increases their chance of achieving academic goals. We have to do this in the most fiscally responsible way possible.
Carroll: Having the proper services and resources in place to ensure the entire community feels welcomed.
Rattan: Provide more scholarships, market popular trades that are shorter term, communicate availability of short-term Pell Grants and the Kansas Promise Act.
Holton: Opportunities exist for making JCCC more accessible. We have some great processes for accessibility, but we can always improve on being more welcoming and building the sense of community for ALL students in order to increase the amount of people that stay and graduate.
Stokes: JCCC can improve access by cutting wasteful spending to keep tuition low, expanding trade and workforce programs and ensuring every dollar goes toward academics — not politics — so students from all backgrounds can afford quality education.
Cross: Honestly, in enrollment hours, times and the availability of access to counselors and academic support.
