October 13, 2025
Engaging classes and supportive professors helped Brandon Milburn discover his true calling.
After graduating from Bishop Miege High School, Brandon Milburn entered college as a student athlete. He had signed as a high school junior to play soccer at a college in Nebraska on a soccer scholarship. While he loved competing on the field, his classroom experience didn’t align with his personal interests.
“I enjoyed attending for the soccer, but I was not enjoying the classes I was taking,” he said. “I had a passion for cooking and wanted the opportunity to explore this.”
That realization led Brandon to look for a school that could balance strong academics with athletics, while allowing him to explore new career paths. He found that at JCCC.
“It felt like a perfect fit,” he said. “I could come back to Olathe, live at home to save money, and then decide where I wanted to go after completing my associate degree.”
JCCC helps you explore passions, build direction
At JCCC, the state-of-the-art Wylie Hospitality and Culinary Academy gave Brandon the chance to pursue his interest in the culinary arts. He also gained hands-on experience in fine dining and catering to explore potential career paths.
Ultimately, he discovered his true passion on the business side.
“I really enjoyed my classes and the professors I was able to learn from,” he said. “There are so many professors at JCCC that I would consider to be some of the best I’ve ever experienced in my academic career.”
JCCC supports student athletes
Balancing soccer practice, tournaments, and academics was challenging, but Brandon said JCCC provided the support needed to succeed.
“JCCC had incredible tutoring, and professors were always willing to meet with me,” he said. “They knew who I was, and even today, the coaches at JCCC are still good friends of mine.”
He also credited the athletics program for its first-class resources.
“The facilities and locker rooms were some of the best I’d seen in the country,” he said. “It created an environment where our team could focus, work together, and even study between training sessions.”
JCCC prepares you for your next step
With his associate degree complete, Brandon began planning his transfer to continue his business studies.
“The academic advisors our soccer team worked with guided us every step of the way,” he said. “Eventually, I found the right fit at Baker University.”
Thanks to JCCC’s transfer resources, his coursework moved over seamlessly, preparing him for the next stage of his academic journey.
“I learned so much at JCCC and was fully prepared for the next step when I went to Baker,” Brandon said.
A career in marketing and leadership
Since graduating, Brandon has combined his knowledge of business and athletics into a successful career. He first interned with online sports platform GOLUREMI, led by professional soccer player Will John.
He later worked with Manchester United and top soccer organizations worldwide through Challenger Sports and United Soccer Coaches, the world’s largest soccer coaching association, based in Kansas City, Missouri.
Brandon also successfully earned his Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management.
Start here, go anywhere
Brandon’s journey shows how JCCC empowers students to discover their passions, transfer successfully, and thrive in careers that make an impact.
Your tomorrow starts here.