Legislative updates: The Kansas Technical College Base Grant has been adopted by the full Appropriations committee. Both Chambers have the funding in their budgets. The apprenticeships/business engagement funding has been recommended for reinstatement to the 2024 level (return to the $14.3 million [yields FHTC $181,752] from Governor's proposed line at $8 million. Cybersecurity funding continues at $250,000 (Governor's budget line at $6.5 million). Capital outlay is at the 2024 level ($374,871).

Kansas Technical Colleges: Mike Rowe Works training begins in April. This training is also a statewide initiative and partnership with all the Kansas Technical Colleges.

Interest-Based Bargaining. IBB discussions begin over the next several weeks, and a Board member is a member of the Administration team.

Strategic Area 1: Student Success

Partner engagement to support student success. The spring semester has provided multiple opportunities for industry representatives to visit program classrooms and discuss career opportunities with our students. These HR professionals, operations managers, and production supervisors share with the students the relevance of their classroom and laboratory work to the respective work environment. Students are able to consult with the representatives and learn about the variety of positions in many of our industry partners' businesses and operations. A few of the partners over the last few months have been Caterpillar (Computerized Machine Tool), Simmons (Arkansas team visited with several programs--Network Technology, Industrial Engineering, and others), and Black & Veatch (Power Plant Technology).
Scholarship luncheon. I had great conversations with Dulce Nevarez and Angel Hernandez during this luncheon, and they both spoke to the importance of these scholarships supporting their education costs. Ms. Nevarez is completing 2 associate degrees (Network Technology and Computer Program Design), and she is also one of our work-study students. She will graduate from FHTC with zero education debt. Mr. Hernandez is an Industrial Engineering student, and he praised his program and his excitement for his opportunities ahead of him. He shared he has about $300 in his education out of his pocket.

Strategic Area 2: Employee Development and Support

Social engagement. The Wellness Committee hosted an after-hours social at Casa Ramos, and we had to keep adding tables! We had a great turnout and look forward to more of these social opportunities for us to hang out in a casual environment.
Conferences. Adult Education Center staff participated in the Kansas Adult Education Association conference in Topeka at the end of February.
Mid-semester College Updates. On Tuesday, February 27, lunch was provided as administration shared updates with employees related to compliance reviews, budget processes, and master planning. Zoom was available for employees at the education centers.
Great Colleges to Work For Survey. This spring is the third iteration of the College participating in this survey that gives us insight to employee needs. The survey is open through March and has been expanded to be distributed to all employees rather than a select percentage.

Strategic Area 3: Optimized Programs and Facilities

Fleet upgrades. We continue to review the College fleet needs related to vehicles for field trips with students and maintenance. The budget for 2024 included funds for the Chevrolet Equinox and Ford Escape as well as these additional vehicles. The Leadership team has reviewed the latest requests and RFPs will be posted as the College posts vehicles for sale.
Advanced Manufacturing expansion. We will offer monthly updates to the status of the expansion initiative.
Airtame projectors. Several new projectors were placed and mounted by the IT staff. These projections display crisp, clear, and bright images to support presentations. As well, the IT staff under Dan McCoy's leadership replaced the microphones in the Trusler Conference Center with new devices. These upgrades serve our public, our students, and our operations well.
Master Planning, Facilities, and Welcome Centers. Lisa Kirmer, Mike Crouch, and I visited Manhattan Area Technical College to discuss their master plan and facilities phasing process on Thursday, March 7. In addition, the team had lunch with Kansas State University leadership and toured the University's Welcome Center.

Strategic Area 4: Dynamic Partnerships

Precision Agriculture Program Advisory Committee. The kickoff meeting for the PAC was held March 6 to review curriculum and equipment needs.
Wolf Creek partnership. Wolf Creek representatives were on campus to share some of their interest and needs, and they plan to meet with various program faculty in a few weeks.
Coffey County Semiconductor information. Phone calls and discussions started again a few weeks ago and the Coffey County Republican confirmed the news: Trusted Electronic Materials is the lead company (subsidiary of EMP Shield) and this Kansas Semiconductor Manufacturing Consortium continues to advance at a governmental pace.
Legislative Dialogues. The College hosted the February 17 dialogue and is slated to welcome the legislators again Saturday, March 16, with coffee at 8 a.m. and the dialogue starting at 8:30 a.m. These sessions are sponsored through and in partnership with the Emporia Chamber of Commerce.

FHTC Board of Trustees

Meeting Information