News
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest Receives Generous Scholarship Grant from Gene Haas Foundation to Support
Goodland, KS. (10/10/2024) – Fort Hays Tech | Northwest is proud to announce the Gene Haas Foundation has awarded the college a significant scholarship grant aimed at supporting students pursuing careers in manufacturing and related fields. The individual scholarship awards, ranging from $500 to $2,500, will provide essential financial assistance to aspiring CNC machinists and technicians, enabling them to achieve their educational goals and enter a rapidly growing industry.
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest's focus on developing Advanced Manufacturing as part of their Mechanical Engineering Technology program has been a major priority since 2021, given the rapid advancements in the industry. The program aims to equip students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for engineering technology. Through a hands-on approach that integrates drafting and applied mathematics, students gain proficiency in industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, Fusion 360, and Inventor.
The program incorporates live projects from the community and industry, allowing students to tackle real-world design and engineering challenges. They learn to reverse engineer, design, and develop solutions, utilizing the program's advanced manufacturing lab—an 1,800 sq. ft. facility equipped with multi-axis CNC machines and state-of-the-art 3D printers—to prototype and create working models of their designs.
Graduates emerge with the knowledge and experience necessary for successful careers in various engineering and manufacturing roles throughout Kansas and the surrounding region. Additionally, the program is working to strengthen the community’s capacity to support and grow the advanced manufacturing industry locally.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Gene Haas Foundation for their generous support,” said Mike Zimmerman, instructor. “This scholarship funding will make a profound difference in the lives of our students, allowing them to gain the skills necessary for success in the manufacturing sector.”
For more information about the Mechanical Engineering Technology program, please visit www.fhnw.edu
Enrollment Jumps Again at Fort Hays Tech | Northwest
Enrollment Jumps Again at Fort Hays Tech | Northwest - Goodland, KS. (10/2/2024) – For the second straight year, Fort Hays Tech | Northwest experienced a noticeable increase in enrollment, according to latest report released this week by the Kansas Board of Regents.
According to the report, which provides a breakdown of enrollment across Kansas public higher education institutions, enrollment headcount at Fort Hays Tech | Northwest was up 3.7% from the same time last year. The increase marks the highest enrollment for the college in the past six years, and marks a return to the steady enrollment growth the college experienced prior to the pandemic. Current enrollment at the college stands at 752 enrolled students, with 577 students originating from within Kansas.
Affiliation Lands Major Grant
By FHSU University Communications
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University, Fort Hays Tech | North Central, and Fort Hays Tech | Northwest recently secured a $461,840 grant from Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) to help fund start-up costs associated with the implementation of the three institutions’ strategic affiliation. Grant funding will be distributed over the next two years.
Higher Learning Commission approves historic education affiliation
Higher Learning Commission approves historic education affiliation
7/16/24
By FHSU University Communications
HAYS, Kan – June 27 represents a significant milestone for higher education in rural Kansas, as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) officially approved the Change of Control application filed jointly by Fort Hays State University, North Central Kansas Technical College, and Northwest Kansas Technical College. This approval will result in the strategic affiliation of these three institutions, allowing them to come together under the Fort Hays banner to better serve the region’s people, businesses, and communities. FHSU President Mason expressed her gratitude for the support received from various stakeholders in finalizing this affiliation plan.
Under this new affiliation, North Central Kansas Technical College will become Fort Hays
Tech | North Central. Northwest Kansas Technical College will be renamed Fort Hays Tech | Northwest. The Higher Learning Commission's comprehensive assessment process included a thorough evaluation of academic offerings, governance, mission, finances, resources, and all degree levels offered by the institutions.
The vision of an affiliation between the three institutions emerged from discussions between President Mason, Fort Hays Tech | North Central President Eric Burks, and Fort Hays Tech | Northwest President Ben Schears. Each of these leaders recognized the urgent need for higher education in rural Kansas to address significant and growing threats to the future prosperity of their shared service region. These threats include an aging population, an expected 15 percent decline in college-bound students by 2029, and a 33 percent decline in Kansas’s rural population by 2064.
“What an exciting time for our region and state! We know for rural Kansas to prosper, every individual must have the opportunity to develop their talents, skills, and interests,” Burks said. “By our three institutions working more closely together, we will be able to enhance our current offerings, simplify our process, and create new opportunities to prepare students and generate workforce for our area businesses and communities.”
With the HLC's approval in place, over 20 affiliation implementation teams are now tasked with integrating and optimizing various aspects of the institutions to serve students, businesses, and communities better.
“Our work in the days ahead will focus on integrating our academic programs and student services and on expanding our already robust industry and community connections to increase opportunities for our students, fueling entrepreneurship in rural Kansas, and meeting the workforce needs of the businesses and communities we serve,” Schears said.
A series of “Affiliation Launch” events are scheduled in the hometowns of each of the three campuses. The first event will be at the old soccer field on the campus of Fort Hays Tech | Northwest (Goodland) at 5 p.m. on September 10. The downtown pavilion in Hays will be the site of launch event number two on September 12. The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a “ribbon cutting” hosted by the Hays Chamber. Fort Hays Tech | North Central will host the final event at 5 p.m. on September 14 in downtown Beloit. These events will celebrate the historic partnership and allow the community to learn more about the future of higher education in rural Kansas.
For more information about this transformative affiliation partnership, please visit
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest
https://www.nwktc.edu/affiliation
Fort Hays State University
https://www.fhsu.edu/president/affiliation/.
– end –
NORTHWEST TECH ANNOUNCES SPRING SEMESTER HONORS LISTS
Goodland, KS. (06/17/2024) – Northwest Kansas Technical College has announced the names of full-time students who earned spots on the President’s and Dean’s honor lists for the 2024 Spring semester.
Students on the President’s Honor List earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average while students on the Dean’s Honor List earned a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99.
President’s Honor List
Colby Kansas Escobar, Kimberlyn Marilyn
Burlington, CO Eckhardt, Abigail Laura
Goodland, KS Ihrig, Bryson Lee
Levant, KS Siebert, Karolina
Ewa Beach, HI Valdez Asato, Cheylene L
Goodland, KS Bostwick, Samara R
Goodland, KS Coumerilh, Hannah
Uganda Bisaso, Isaac Samuel Owen
Kanorado, KS Ford, Cameron Isaiah
Colby Kansas Van Eaton, Carson J
Goodland, KS Cortes, Jose Luis
Holyoke, CO Hielscher, Dylan Eric
Syracuse, KS Ramos Hernandez, Martin
Scott City, KS Zarate, Alencio C
Hiawatha, KS Anderson, Anthony J
Metairie, LA Spahn, Jacob M
Colby, KS Franz, Jacob Carter
Sheridan Lake, CO Wilson, Ty Curtis
Selden, KS Brantley, Sara Jo
Australia Holt, Dylan Nathaniel
Smicksburg, PA Miller, Joshua Nathaniel
Colby, KS Schmidt, Rayanna Mary
Goodland, KS Arnold, Tess Darleen
Goodland, KS Blochlinger, Hadyn J
Goodland, KS Dologuin, Yan Blaire
Colby, KS Kersenbrock, Mason John
Colby, KS Stramel, Nathan J
Gillette, WY Hill, Lucas Richard
Goodland, KS Hitchens, Mason Andrew
Monument, KS Hopson, Jonathan W
Goodland, KS Cacavio, Rhiannon Francis
Colorado Springs, CO Carlson, Dillon Wesley
Louise, TX Galetti, Beau Eli
North Platte, NE Kleinow, Tayler Allen
Saint Francis, KS Mills, Elijah
Lenora, KS Scott, Abigail G
Tribune, KS Smith, Jesse Daniel
Goodland, KS Blochlinger, Haley E
Evans, CO Torres, Faith K
Brewster, KS Valdez Dominguez, Selene
Hays, KS Cadoret, William A
Grainfield, KS Heier, Ryan Joseph
Akron, CO Jesse, Connor E
Hays, KS Pfannenstiel, Colton A
Glasco, KS Rice, Gabriel E
Swink, CO Traver, Brodie M
Brewster, KS Valdez Dominguez, Adriana Lizeth
Goodland, KS Vargas Rojas, Saul
Goodland, KS Dominguez, Federico Hernandez
Goodland, KS Garcia, Asaph
Goodland, KS Kent, Darian Michael
Goodland, KS Ralph, Chaye Elizabeth Dano
Wallace, KS Shaw, Kenli R
Goodland, KS Terry, Bryson Dean
Goodland, KS Vars, Michael Raymond
Dean’s Honor Roll List
Little Rock, AR Robinson, Khasen Karon
Linwood, KS Johnson, Wyatt Henry
Goodland, KS Baehler, Bentley D
Goodland, KS Pena, Emilio Gabriel
Burlington, CO Kaiser, Ethan Bailey
Lakin, KS White, Edan B
Goodland, KS Lockhart, Kerrek R
Goodland, KS Schears, Sydney
Garden City, KS Nunez, Brandon L
Oakley, KS Bosserman, Citori Janae
Wiley, CO Williams, Garret Owen
McCook, NB Hunter, Brendan D
South Africa Maila, Lucky Motlakaro
Idalia, CO Towns, Kye Brooks
Mongolia Batsuuri, Otgonbayar
Wichita Falls, TX Penny, Tyjhanae Louise
Titusville, FL Watson, Cerena Ca'linda
Tribune, KS Vestal, Alayna Nykole
Wallace, KS Shaw, Rook James Austin
Goodland, KS Terry, Hayden B
Goodland, KS Price, Kody Amedie
McClave, CO Ward, Lucas Michael
Goodland, KS Whitlock, Nathaniel Thomas
Limon, KS Tacha, Jordyn N
Goodland, KS Gotchall, Alyson Christine
Quinter, KS Albin, Brady Lane
Goodland, KS Johnson, Heather J
Goodland, KS Lalicker, Matthew
Sheridan Lake, CO Shalberg, Kyler Davis
Gem, KS Macki, Andrew David Dennis
Burlington, CO Mann, Brackford Logan
Atlanta, GA Jones, Kyle Everett
Leoti, KS Marchant Domingu, Christian D
Goodland, KS Peter, Witton
Bethune, CO Saenz Vega, Rogelio
Garden City, KS Valdespino, Marco A
South Africa Cornelissen, Daniel
Tempe, AZ Castro, Micah I
Kenya Kibet, Dennis
Bethune, CO Walters, Oakley K
Syracuse, KS Bustillos, Aaron I
Atlanta,, KS Hervey, Grant E
Atwood, KS McCoy, Mason Earl
Selden, KS Meier, Landon R
Goodland, KS Crow, Jarek William
Holdrege, NE Wilkins, Erika Ruby
Goodland, KS Cousins, Rafe P
Lamar, Colorado Reyes, Lauryn J
Fredonia, AZ Henderson, Braxton M L
Goodland, KS Amthor, Kyler James
Yuma, CO Serl, Jayden Daniel
Hays, KS Grabbe, Wyatt K
Bradenton, FL Partida, Amulek Amo
Pierre, SD Seamon, Jacob Andrew
Vernon, CO Linman, Grady W
Allen, TX Conner, Taiden Lee
North Las Vegas, NV Carter, Jarbirey K
El Paso, TX Martinez, Ryan Casey
Goodland, KS Soto, Pablo
Meridian, ID Hernandez, Cade Dallas
McCook, NB Shafer, Gary A
Lubbock, TX Loera, Jaclyn Myka
Salina, KS Hogan, Dawson Ross
Brazil Gigo, Anderson
South Africa Thwala, Sibonokuhle
Fort Morgan, CO Gliem, Xander Heath Dean
Goodland, KS Mcmillan, Samual D
South Africa Maja, Kabelo
Colby Kansas Meyer, Xaynder Michael
Goodland, KS Wolak, Benjamin James
The students listed above have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and strive to put forth their best effort with every assignment, test, and exam. These students exemplify the qualities of a true Maverick. Be smart, work hard, and do the right thing!