News / Press Releases

Fort Hays Tech | Northwest Earns 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School Designation

GOODLAND, KS (03/27/2025 – Fort Hays Tech | Northwest announced today that it has earned the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School designation.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey with 830 earning special awards for going above the standard.

The 2025-2026 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly ® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

“We strive to be the best at whatever we do, and while we are thrilled with the Silver-Level, we know the steps we need to take to become a Gold-Level college” said FHNW President Ben Schears. “We will be working this year to improve our processes and continue our efforts to become one of the top-rated military friendly colleges in the nation.”

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the standard.” - Kayla Lopez, Vice President, Military Friendly®.

For more information Fort Hays Tech | Northwest’s student veteran programs, visit the website at www.fhnw.edu/students/military-veterans

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About Military Friendly ® Schools:

The Military Friendly ® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

About Fort Hays Tech | Northwest:

Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, located in Goodland, Kansas, is a public technical college offering 19 hands-on technical programs, & 11 NJCAA Athletics. The college provides certificates and associate degrees, along with on-campus housing, food service, and a vibrant student life for a full college experience.

About Viqtory:

Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.

For further information or to arrange interviews, contact:

Jordan Edwards
Marketing Director
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest
Goodland, KS 67735
Jordan.edwards@fhnw.edu
(785) 890-1541

Military Friendly ® Schools:
Kayla Lopez
Senior Director of Military Partnerships
For press inquiries visit:
www.militaryfriendly.com/support

Goodland Police Department Partners with Fort Hays Tech | Northwest’s Crime Scene Investigation Program- Goodland, KS. (03/10/2025)  –  The Goodland Police Department has offered space in their facility to establish a fully functional fingerprint lab, designed to benefit both Fort Hays Tech | Northwest students and the department’s investigative efforts.

The lab will serve as a hands-on training facility for students, providing them with practical experience in fingerprinting techniques, while also being available for use by the police department in solving case work. Leah Innocci, Senior Crime Scene Analyst and Certified Bloodstain Pattern Analyst, will be providing the necessary training and support to ensure the lab’s success. Innocci also serves as the Crime Scene Investigation instructor at Fort Hays Tech | Northwest.

“This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain real-world skills, and we’re grateful to the Goodland Police Department for their support,” said Innocci. “This lab will enhance the CSI curriculum and contribute directly to law enforcement efforts in the community.”

With winds and blizzard conditions, we are going to go ahead and cancel classes at all locations. Stay safe, stay warm, and stay inside!

Due to winter weather, our Goodland & Quinter locations will be closed February 18. Classes will resume on Wednesday February 19.

Stay safe, stay warm & stay off the roads!

Due to winter weather, our Goodland & Quinter locations will be closed Feb. 12

Stay safe, stay warm & stay off the roads!