Meet the 8 candidates running for JCCC’s Board of Trustees
A lawyer, youth pastor, and a nurse are among those on the ballot for the Nov. 4 Johnson County Community College (JCCC)’s Board of Trustees race.
The board of trustees are nonpartisan positions and made up of seven members who manage and control the college by setting the budget and local tax levy, as well as adopt recommended college policies. They serve overlapping four-year terms. This year there are four seats up for grabs.
Three board members are incumbent candidates running for re-election. All the positions are elected at large, according to JCCC’s website.
Johnson County’s website lists all candidates running for election this year, and voters can see sample ballots on the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.
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Incumbent Candidates
Lee Cross
Lee Cross, a registered Democrat, is running for reelection with the aim of preserving the broad range of opportunities that JCCC offers students. If reelected, Cross hopes to continue emphasizing the economic assets the college provides and maintain its strength while also continuously adapting, according to his campaign website.
In 2019, Cross opposed the $1 tuition increase for the 2019-2020 school year, which brought tuition up to $94 a credit hour for residents in the county, $2 for students in Missouri and $3 for out-of-state students, according to previous reported by The Star.
Both of Cross’ parents graduated from JCCC, according to his campaign website, which he said gives him first-hand knowledge of how important JCCC is to providing new opportunities for working class families in the county and metro area.
Cross has been endorsed by the Tri-County Labor Council.
Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill, a registered Republican and incumbent candidate, hopes to continue JCCC excellence by maintaining affordability at the school, keeping the college strong while reducing the property tax mil levy and preparing students for their careers.
According to his campaign website, Hamill has helped launch hands-on programs like CDL training and plumbing, and partnered with businesses to help connect students with good paying careers in Johnson County.
In 2024, Hamill ran for Johnson County 2nd District Commissioner, but lost to incumbent Jeff Meyers. According to previous Star reporting, he campaigned on being an outsider who would challenge the status quo and said leaders should limit resources to public safety and infrastructure.
Dawn J. Rattan
Dawn J. Rattan, a registered Democrat, is running for reelection for the JCCC board of Trustees. Originally elected in 2021, Rattan said on her campaign website she has been focused on upholding the college’s legacy of expanding access, boosting enrollment and championing student success while being responsible with the college’s resources.
There is still more work to be done, according to Rattan. If reelected, she said she aims to protect access and affordability for all students, advocate for JCCC in every arena, support innovation in programs and operations, remain student-centered in every decision and foster stability and continuity.
Rattan has been endorsed by several organizations and local politicians, including the JCCC Faculty Association, Shawnee mayor Mickey Sandifer, former JCCC trustee Nancy Ingram, the UAW Local 31 and the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council. A full list can be found on her campaign site.
New Candidates
Carlton Abner
Calton Abner, a registered Republican, began his career as an ER/ trauma nurse before moving his way up to becoming an associate provost and member of the senior leadership team at Kansas City University.
His over 25 years of military experience and passion for people fuels his commitment to protect access to education and strengthening the path to jobs in high demand, according to his campaign website.
If elected, Abner hopes to focus on keeping the school affordable for both students and taxpayers, continuously innovate education for students in the region, and to have students at the center of his efforts and champion an environment where faculty and staff feel valued.
Chad Carroll
Chad Carroll, a registered Democrat, hopes to bring an innovative approach to the JCCC board of trustees and believes fostering community and workforce development will ensure the school remains a premier institution.
If elected, he aims to keep school affordable and work with faculty, staff and other members of the board to identify metrics to prepare the school for the future and believes his previous experience in the financial industry will help him with fiscal management.
Carroll has received several endorsements including the JCCC Faculty Association, Mid-America Carpenters, the Tri-County Labor Council, Moms Demand Action, Everytown, the Run for Something PAC and several local politicians. A full list can be found on his campaign website.
Jerry Charlton
Jerry Charlton, a registered Republican, is a fifth generation resident of Johnson County. His great-grandfather, Remi Caenen, sold the land that eventually became JCCC, according to his campaign website.
Charlton wants JCCC to remain the, “premier cultural and educational institution in our county-accessible, affordable and focused on results,” he said on his website.
Charlton has had over 35 years of experience in both design and construction and believes Johnson County needs to ensure that students are graduating with the knowledge to thrive in the workforce. If elected, Charlton wants to improve student retention in both transfer and career technical programs as well as develop, encourage and support superior teaching and maintain a supportive learning environment.
Charlton previously ran for the Kansas House of Representatives District 20 in 2024, but lost to Mari-Lynn Poskin.
Geoff Holton
Geoff Holton is a registered Democrat and president/chief culture officer of Sassafras Marketing in Lenexa. He is running his campaign on preserving the school’s reputation as an affordable and accessible avenue to receiving a high quality education by supporting, attracting and retaining faculty. He also hopes to expand JCCC’s outreach to local high schools and expand connections, according to his campaign website.
If elected, Holton hopes to collaborate with corporate partnerships to design training and workforce development and serve all members of the community, according to his campaign website. He also wants to amplify JCCC’s history and tell the story in a compelling way for others to see the value in the institution.
Holton has been endorsed by the JCCC Faculty Association.
Kenny Stokes
Kenny Stokes, a registered Republican, is a youth pastor at Nexus Church and coach for the Spring Hill High School football team, and has over 15 years in education and non-profit leadership, according to his campaign website. Stokes says he aims to defend academic integrity and expand opportunity to every JCCC student by ensuring the curriculum is driven by evidence, not ideology, and reject divisive programs that prioritize identity over achievement.
If elected, Stokes wants to promote inclusive classrooms where students thrive on merit, publish quarterly budget summaries and redirect wasted funds to student support services.
He also hopes to make the transition transparent by live-streaming board meetings, archiving recordings and creating an online portal for public feedback. Stokes also aims to expand partnership with local industries and increase the amount of apprenticeships.
“I’m a conservative, but I’m not here to divide, I’m here to serve. I believe in freedom of thought, personal responsibility, and academic integrity. This isn’t about left or right, it’s about doing what’s right for students, faculty, and the future of Johnson County,” Stokes said in an Instagram post announcing his candidacy.
This story was originally published October 24, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated the number of open JCCC Board of Trustee seats in the Nov. 4 election, which is four.
