In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo Co-Founder & Co-CEO Ben Hallett sits down with Dr. Brent Bates, President of State Fair Community College, to explore community-rooted leadership, workforce-aligned education, and what it takes to drive meaningful student success in rural America.
Since becoming the sixth president of State Fair Community College in 2022, Dr. Bates has led a bold expansion of facilities and programs focused on workforce training and regional economic growth. The conversation dives into a $60M investment in new and renovated facilities anchored by a successful $20M capital campaign for agriculture and mechanics training that has helped fuel a 20% enrollment increase in just three years.
A major theme of the episode is student-centered leadership. Drawing on his 23 years as Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, Dr. Bates shares how initiatives like Caring Campus for both staff and faculty embed empathy, visibility, and responsiveness into everyday student interactions, reinforcing a culture where students feel known, supported, and valued.
One of the most powerful moments comes as Dr. Bates shares deeply personal student success stories—from adult learners finding a way out of difficult circumstances to former students returning with renewed purpose—underscoring the transformational role community colleges play for individuals, families, and entire communities.
This episode is a compelling look at how values-driven leadership, community partnerships, and practical education can create opportunity at scale—one student, one pathway, and one region at a time.
