A recent op-ed by Misty Wehling, biotechnology program co-chair and biotechnology professor at Southeast Community College, highlights the college’s efforts to ensure Nebraska’s workforce is prepared to meet the needs of the industry as it expands.
The article highlights Nebraska’s rising role in America’s growing bioeconomy, and how at the forefront is Bio Nebraska member Southeast Community College (SCC), which launched a biotechnology program offering stackable credentials tailored to industry needs and designed for transferability to four-year institutions. SCC collaborates closely with companies like Neogen and Bluestem Biosciences to align curriculum with real-world applications, while also building a talent pipeline from middle school through graduate education. Through partnerships with organizations like Bio Nebraska, citizen science projects, and curriculum innovation, SCC exemplifies how community colleges are vital in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals to power bio-based solutions and sustain economic growth in Nebraska and beyond.