United Way of Central Kansas (UWCK) announces Marcus and Kacie Garstecki as Co-Chairs for the 2026 Campaign. Since moving to Great Bend in 2024, the Garsteckis have quickly become active members of the community, bringing a shared passion for service and leadership.

Kacie brings over 14 years of experience in grant writing and management. After earning her PhD from the University of South Dakota in 2024, she launched her own grant consulting business focused on supporting health care, education, and community-level programs and nonprofits. 

Marcus currently serves as the sixth President of Barton County Community College, with 28 years of experience in higher education. He began his career coaching college football before transitioning to administration and earned his PhD from Colorado State University in 2019.

“Barton Community College has a long-standing tradition of community involvement. That was very important to me when I was exploring this job,” Marcus said. “I believe it is an important part of our mission to play a role in community development through active engagement with our local partners.”

The Garsteckis enjoy golf, concerts, and cheering on their favorite football and hockey teams. Their son, Jackson, is a student at the University of South Dakota. They are passionate about the unique strengths of rural communities and are committed to supporting the positive local impact of United Way’s initiatives.

“We are thrilled to welcome Marcus and Kacie to UWCK,” said Charell Owings, executive director. “They’ve hit the ground running – learning about our Impact Programs, helping with event planning, and offering thoughtful input on how we can grow. We’re excited to work with them throughout this campaign and beyond.”

For more information, visit www.uwck.org.