George Knox reflects on his 15-year career as president of Labette Community College in Parsons, Kansas. Knox writes that, as a first-time president coming into a brand new system, he was very fortunate to have many seasoned presidents and mentors in Kansas and from the American Association of Community Colleges' (AACC) Presidents Academy. He says that the best advice he received from those mentors was to "listen, learn, and absorb." Knox admits to a few disappointments, but says that he and his staff continue to fight for funding for the Labette's students. Although his responsibilities have shifted over the last 15 years of his career, Knox says that the most significant change has been in his involvement in politics and fundraising. He says that the political part is the most challenging due to the ever continuing struggle to convince legislators of the value of the college to the community.