Dr. Marcus Garstecki has been chosen to become the sixth president of Barton Community College. His contract goes into effect on July 1.

The Barton Board of Trustees held a special meeting Tuesday afternoon to make the choice official. As Dr. Garstecki joined the meeting via Zoom, Board Chairman Mike Johnson welcomed Garstecki and his wife Kacie, and their son Jackson to the Barton family.

The search was launched after Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman announced he would retire at the end of this year’s contract, on June 30.

A news release issued by the college notes that Garstecki was named a finalist following a nationwide search that began in September.

“With over 25 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Garstecki has led enhancements in student recruitment efforts, implemented a comprehensive enrollment plan, and helped develop strategies for leveraging scholarship dollars, all of which led to increased enrollment at Northern State University (NSU) in Aberdeen, S.D. He currently serves as the chief enrollment management officer at NSU,” the release states.

“With a history of accomplishments, he has served as the vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Dakota State University-Madison, where he led enrollment efforts that resulted in significant increases in freshmen, transfer, and re-entry students, as well as increased retention percentages. These efforts led to the school’s largest enrollment numbers to that point. Before that, he was vice president for the Mid-Plains Community College-North Platte campus, where he led strategic planning initiatives, including improvements in the arts, workforce training, and high school partnerships.”

With the unanimous vote of five trustees to approve hiring him (Trustee John Moshier was absent), those in attendance applauded, and then Dr. Garstecki spoke briefly, thanking Johnson, the board, and the search committee.

“I know what a long process searches can be and I appreciate the openness that you shared with me throughout the process. You shared with me the strengths of Barton Community College, but you also weren’t scared to share the challenges – and every institution has challenges. I want to thank the Board of Trustees for putting your trust in me to be there to serve as the next leader,” he said.

“I am passionate about the role that rural community colleges play in providing higher education access to all students while helping our communities grow and thrive,” he said. “I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, the leadership team, students, and each of the communities we serve to continue building upon the solid foundation that has already been established and leading Barton Community College to even greater heights.”

Garstecki said he and his wife Kacie enjoyed the warm welcome they received when they visited the campus in January. Although they learned a lot about Barton by researching on the internet, a personal visit was needed to experience the culture, the feeling of the community, and just how welcoming everyone is. “Kacie and I felt that from the minute we arrived,” he said.

“One of the things that was very evident to me from the time we arrived was the passion that the faculty and staff have at Barton Community College, the passion for teaching, the passion for supporting students and helping them accomplish their goals. That is at the core of why I’m in this profession and why I enjoy coming to work every day when I wake up.”

He noted that rural community colleges serve an important mission of making sure our communities continue not only to survive but to thrive. 

“I look forward to working with the faculty and staff on continuing the innovation, continuing providing access to all students, whether that’s a student who comes to us for a short-term certificate, looking to go right into a workforce, and we can help get them there faster, or whether that’s a student who wants a two-year associate degree before going to work, or a two-year degree before transferring on to a four-year institution. Providing that access and support to help them reach their dreams makes our communities even stronger.”

He said will focus on community partnerships with K-12 school districts, economic development, Chambers of Commerce and local legislators. “Partnership is the name of the game in higher education, and that’s what I will continue to do and continue to lead on behalf of Barton Community College.”

Expressing his excitement about the challenge ahead and getting into the days to day operations at Barton’s campuses, Garstecki said he and his wife will probably plan a week-long visit in the spring. Their son is headed off to college.

“Once again, thank you to everybody, the entire Barton Community College family, Kacie and I look forward to getting there and joining that family and being a part of all the great things that are happening thank you,” he concluded. “Go Cougars!”