Pribbeno takes seat on MPCC’s board

    Three new members were sworn onto the Mid-Plains Community College Board of Governors Jan. 25.
     Tyler Pribbeno of Imperial, Kim Korgan of McCook and Tricia Schaffer of North Platte were elected in November after running unopposed.
     They join eight other members on the board. Among other duties, they will be responsible for leading the college through policy creation and initiation, through articulation and evaluation of the college’s scope, mission, values and legislated priorities.
    Pribbeno takes over the District 2 seat formerly held by Pam Abbott of Ogallala. His district includes the counties of Chase, Perkins, Dundy, Keith and Arthur.
     Pribbeno was born and raised in Imperial. He graduated from Chase County High School in 2003, then earned a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Chadron State College followed by a law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law.
     He returned to Imperial in 2010 and joined the Burke Law Office as an associate, then as a partner. Pribbeno currently works as the community development director for the city of Imperial while also practicing law on the side.
     He has been a member of the fund advisory committee for the Imperial Community Foundation Fund since 2011, serving as chair the past three years.
     For the past two years, he was part of the West Central Nebraska Development District board of directors.
     “Building community is one of my real passions and is something I get to do for work but also something I love to ponder off the clock,” Pribbeno said.
    “I work closely and communicate frequently with many people in the Imperial area and my district, across all industries and backgrounds and feel like I can lend my voice to their wants, needs and desires and represent their best interests on the MPCC Board of Governors.”
     Pribbeno said he’s looking forward to using his time on the Mid-Plains board to encourage young community members to invest in themselves by pursuing higher education and to strongly consider doing that in the most affordable means available – such as through dual credit classes and the pursuit of a degree, diploma or certificate through the community college.
     “Great education doesn’t have to and shouldn’t cost a fortune,” said Pribbeno.
    “I believe we have the best chance of keeping our youths if we provide them the education and skills they are looking for and show them there is a wealth of opportunities for their personal and professional growth and the pursuit of happiness right here in their own backyard,” he said.
     The growing presence of and partnerships with MPCC are a large part of why he’s excited about the future of southwest Nebraska.
    Pribbeno has been married to his wife, Emilee, since September 2021.
     Korgan, another new board member, replaces Alexis Davidson of McCook in representing District 1.
    Schaffer fills the District 5 vacancy left by Karen Knisley of North Platte.