Johnson County Community College began its 2026-2027 academic year the week of Sept. 7 with a new artificial intelligence course on its Overland Park campus. The college also plans to break ground on a healthcare education building during the academic year.
JCCC, Kansas' largest community college with more than 36,000 credit and continuing education students, announced the additions in a press release Sept. 9.
Among the new offerings is Artificial Intelligence Essentials (CIS 120), a general education course covering the history of AI, how generative AI tools work, real-world applications and the ethical, legal and privacy questions the technology raises. The course is aimed at building AI literacy students can carry into any field.
JCCC President Tony Miksa said the college remains focused on helping every student find a path to success, whether they are working toward a degree, preparing to transfer or exploring career opportunities.
Healthcare building groundbreaking planned
The bigger investment: JCCC plans to break ground during the 2026-2027 academic year on a building called "A New Hub for Healthcare," near the Science and Classroom Laboratory buildings on the main campus. The project is the first phase of a 10-year Facilities Master Plan the Board of Trustees approved in 2025.
The building will feature specialized skills labs and multipurpose spaces that simulate a multi-floor hospital environment, according to the JCCC Messenger student publication. It will also add programs such as medical imaging.
Three JCCC administrators who oversee the project said the healthcare workforce shortage is driving the expansion. Executive Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services Rachel Lierz, Dean of Healthcare, Public Safety and Wellness Chad Sanner and Associate Vice President for Campus Services and Facilities Planning Tom Hall outlined the need.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects healthcare to be the nation's fastest-growing major industry sector through 2034, adding nearly 2 million jobs, the administrators said.
"One of the biggest drivers is the growing health care workforce shortage, both nationally and in the Kansas City metropolitan area," they said in a joint statement.
Once complete, the building will consolidate healthcare programs now split between the main campus and the Olathe Health Education Center. Students in certified nursing assistant, practical nursing and respiratory care programs will move to the Overland Park campus, gaining access to the full range of college resources.
New courses and free options
Beyond AI, JCCC added Introduction to Meteorology (GEOS 160), a five-credit-hour course with a lab component. Students analyze data from a weather station on the roof of the Billington Library. The course follows a successful pilot in fall 2025.
The college is also waiving tuition on two courses for incoming degree-seeking students who declare an exploratory or undecided area of interest: Exploring Academic and Personal Success (COLL 103) and Navigating College (COLL 101).
No specific groundbreaking date for the healthcare building has been announced. JCCC administrators said construction may affect parking and traffic flow on campus, with more details to follow as the project progresses.
