Zach Reinhardt is committed to continuing his support of high-quality, affordable education.

Opportunity for All

Zach believes the ladder of success should reach everyone. Period. Opportunity should not depend on a person's zip code or income level. Since joining the Board of Governors in 2021, Zach has worked to ensure Metro Community College is a place of opportunity for all in the community. Zach is committed to continuing to work hard for the students of Metro Community College, and looks forward to finding more ways to keep MCC a place of opportunity for all in the community.

Trades + Technical Education

For years students have been told that a four-year degree is the only path to success. While a bachelor's degree may be right for some, it isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Trade and technical education have experienced renewed interest as students see the opportunity for a high quality of life while working in a highly skilled profession. Metro Community College is a leader in trade and technical education, and in his time on the board, Zach has been a consistent supporter of trades and technical education, casting votes to increase funding for programs and voting to implement new technical education programs. Zach is committed to continuing his support for trade and technical education at MCC, by bringing additional attention and funding to technical education.

Affordability

The cost of college has been on the rise for decades, and the average four-year college student graduates with more than $30,000 in student loan debt. This debt robs many of the chance to pursue opportunities in life. Metro Community College provides students with a high-quality education without the crushing cost of many universities. Zach knows affordability is one of the most important aspects of the college that needs to be protected. In his first term on the board, Zach voted to increase scholarship funding by more than $1,000,000, and supported the implementation of the Pathfinder scholarship program targeted at helping students identify a program of study and getting those students on track to achieve their educational goals. Zach will continue to work hard to ensure MCC remains affordable without discounting the high-quality education students and the community have come to expect from MCC.

Non-Credit Courses

With over 20,000 students taking noncredit & continuing education classes, it is clear that Metro Community College provides value to all in the community. Whether it is one of the many cooking classes, learning a new craft, keeping up to date on industry-specific skills, or any of the plethora of non-credit courses, MCC has something for learners of all types. Zach understands that MCC is a valuable resource for creating a vibrant community and will continue to work to support and grow this resource.

Industry Involvement

The instructors at Metro Community College are not stuffy academics with no real-world experience. Students are learning from leading industry professionals in all areas. The benefits of learning from practitioners cannot be understated. MCC needs to continue to engage industry professionals, ensuring students have access to the experience these professionals bring to the classroom. For the past five years, Zach has been sharing his experience with students in multiple venues. Zach will work hard to support the college in building a pipeline of professionals to invest their time and talents to develop the next generation of industry leaders.