New UNK-CCC partnership streamlines path for future teachers
When Anahi Ceballos enrolled at Central Community College in Grand Island, she was looking for an affordable start and a chance to explore her interests.
That beginning ultimately guided her to the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a future in elementary education with an English as a second language endorsement.
This route – start at CCC, finish at UNK – is now even clearer for the next generation of teachers.
The institutions are launching a new 2+2 guided pathway program that creates a seamless transition for students who want to complete an associate degree at CCC and transfer directly into UNK’s teacher education programs. The partnership streamlines course requirements and clearly outlines the classes students need at each institution, ensuring they can progress smoothly without losing credits or extending their time to graduation.
“This is a student-first partnership that lowers cost, clarifies the path to licensure and helps build a stronger, local pipeline of well-prepared teachers for Nebraska schools,” said Candace Walton, CCC vice president of innovation and instruction. “With this agreement, students can move confidently from an associate degree at Central Community College into a bachelor’s in education without leaving central Nebraska.”
Designed to prepare future educators across a range of fields – early childhood, elementary, middle level and special education – the guided pathway allows students to complete their first 60 credit hours through CCC campuses in Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings before transferring to UNK, where they finish their bachelor’s degree in one of Nebraska’s leading teacher preparation programs. Students enrolled in the pathway program can apply for scholarships and other financial aid at UNK, which is already the most affordable university in the state.
UNK and CCC also have guided pathways in accounting, finance, management, marketing, supply chain management, criminal justice, history, social studies and social work.
“By aligning UNK’s teacher education programs with CCC’s coursework through a guided pathway agreement, we open doors to greater access and ensure students can graduate on time and begin their teaching careers,” said associate professor Jesslyn Hollar, chair of the UNK Department of Teacher Education. “UNK’s collaboration with Central Community College creates a simple, supportive and seamless transfer experience; we developed a plan together that works for our future educators.”
Ceballos’ story reflects the benefits of this approach.
A first-generation college student from Grand Island, she chose CCC for its affordability and proximity to home. With scholarship assistance, she earned her associate degree while discovering a passion for teaching. Supportive instructors and a comfortable learning environment helped her build confidence along the way.
“It was a great experience,” Ceballos said. “I really liked the teachers there. It was a really easygoing, really relaxed environment.”
After graduating from CCC, she transferred to UNK, where expert faculty, extensive field experiences and hands-on coursework helped her grow as an educator.
“All of the instructors here are great, and they’ve made a huge impact on me,” she said. “I think I’ve really blossomed in areas such as classroom management and developing an effective lesson plan.”
Ceballos strengthened her skills further by working as a substitute teacher in Grand Island Public Schools, serving in numerous schools across the district. Those experiences helped her identify her niche – working with K-2 students, especially multilingual learners. A former ESL student herself, she added that endorsement at UNK because she wanted to support and encourage children who face the same language barriers she once did.
“That really sparked my motivation to be a teacher,” she said, recalling moments when students gained confidence and found their voice in the classroom. “Those aha moments are what making teaching so rewarding, seeing them succeed when you know they’ve struggled along the way.”
After graduating in May, Ceballos plans to begin her career in Grand Island, where she hopes to create a classroom environment where every student feels welcomed and supported – exactly what she experienced throughout her own educational path.
“I hope my students know they can come into my classroom and be themselves,” she said. “Everyone is welcomed. Everyone is cared for.”
For more information on the teacher education pathway program, visit https://www.unk.edu/academics/ted/index.php.