On June 27, 2024, rural Kansas higher education reached a milestone as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) approved the Change of Control application jointly filed by Fort Hays State University, North Central Kansas Technical College, and Northwest Kansas Technical College. This approval paves the way for the strategic affiliation of the three institutions under the Fort Hays banner, aimed at better serving the region’s people, businesses, and communities.

Under the new structure, North Central Kansas Technical College will become Fort Hays Tech | North Central, and Northwest Kansas Technical College will be renamed Fort Hays Tech | Northwest. The HLC’s approval followed a thorough review of academic offerings, governance, mission, finances, resources, and degree levels across the institutions.

The affiliation vision developed from discussions between President Mason, Fort Hays Tech | North Central President Eric Burks, and Fort Hays Tech | Northwest President Ben Schears, who recognized the need for higher education to address growing challenges in rural Kansas. These challenges include an aging population, a projected 15 percent decline in college-bound students by 2029, and a 33 percent drop in the rural population by 2064.

With HLC approval secured, more than 20 implementation teams are now working to integrate and optimize the institutions to better serve students, businesses, and communities. 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.