One of Wichita’s universities is expanding its resources in southwest Kansas. The aim is to alleviate southwest Kansas’ higher-education desert while also keeping them near home to enter the professional workforce. That’s what is behind a collaboration between Garden City Community College, a 2-year school, and four-year Newman University based in Wichita. The schools are working beyond their two-decade startup effort to offer elementary education degrees to Garden City students and expanding to degree programs in business, agribusiness and nursing. The city and business community benefit by having a better chance of keeping young adults in the area, said Jessica Bird, Newman’s dean of the School of Education and Social Work. “They are ecstatic, excited, and I think they see this as a way to strengthen the community and retain talent,” said Bird, who lives in Garden City. “Brain drain is a real thing and anytime a student leaves here, there’s a really good chance they are not coming back.” Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) spoke at Garden City last month about the expansion of the program. “I’m grateful to the leadership at both entities for their pursuit of filling the higher education gaps in our state and offering young Kansans the opportunity to achieve their dreams,” Moran said.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
