News / Press Releases

Northwest Tech Earns 2023-2024 Military Friendly^® School Designation

GOODLAND, KS (August 3, 2023)—Northwest Tech announced today that it has earned the 2023-2024 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 2023-2024 survey with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard.

The 2023-2024 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be 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 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 colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.” - Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®.

For more information about Northwest Tech’s student veteran programs, visit Northwest Tech’s website at www.nwktc.edu/students/militaryveterans.

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 Northwest Tech:

The mission of Northwest Kansas Technical College, as an institution of higher learning, is to prepare individuals for gainful employment in technical and professional careers, productive personal lives, and lifelong learning.

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:

Northwest Kansas Technical College

Jordan Edwards
Marketing & Graphic Design Coordinator
Jordan.edwards@nwktc.edu 
785-890-1541

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

Goodland, KS. (06/20/2023)  – Point Guard U Basketball Camp just finished their camp this last week in Goodland, where kids, 3rd through 12th grade, got the opportunity to improve their basketball skills and learn from some of the best coaches in the region.

"We couldn't be more grateful to Northwest Tech for their sponsorship of Point Guard U Basketball Camp;" commented National Camp Director Reed Warner. "We were able to provide scholarships to a group of talented young athletes who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to attend our camp. Northwest Tech has truly shown a commitment to shaping the future of young athletes and empowering them with knowledge and skills that extend far beyond the basketball court."

"We are pleased to continue the partnership and value the opportunity students get by attending PGU in Goodland every year'" said Athletic Director Rory Kling." The ability to show off our facilities and introduce our coaches to a variety of ages only helps grow our basketball programs in the area.

Point Guard University is a basketball training academy located in South Bend, Indiana. The camp focuses on point guard training while also working on shooting, ball-handling, and passing skills with modern training methods that aim to get players outside the box and to the next level. Point Guard U has a summer camp tour each year spanning across the United States. The camps are week-long and feature coaches and players from multiple regions. You can learn more about Point Guard U at pointguarduniversity.com.

HAYS, Kan. - More than 200 people packed into FHSU’s Memorial Union Wednesday morning to witness Gov. Laura Kelly’s ceremonial signing of House Bill 2290.

The bill, which creates a strategic affiliation between Fort Hays State University, Northwest Kansas Technical College, and North Central Kansas Technical College, enables the institutions to partner to make educational programs and student services more accessible by breaking down bureaucratic barriers to those services. The affiliation will also work to expand opportunities around apprenticeships, internships, and employment with local businesses.  

Northwest Tech Announces Honors Lists

Goodland, KS. (05/23/2023)  – 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 2023 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

 Cara Jean Agan................................... Respiratory Care................................... St. Francis, KS

 Bentley Dale Baehler............................ Automotive Technology.......................... Goodland, KS

 Glenn Mazele Banza................................... Diesel Technology........................................ Congo

 Aarron Zachary Beheydt Miller.............. Electrical Technology................................... Colby, KS

 Samara R Bostwick............................... Business Technology............................. Goodland, KS

 Clayton Earl Bradley............................. Business Technology................................. Wichita, KS

 Mattie Rae Brandl............................... Respiratory Care......................................... Tribune, KS

 Sara Jo Brantley................................ Respiratory Care........................................... Selden, KS

 Dillon Wesley Carlson.......................... Engineering Technology.............. Colorado Springs, CO

 Olivia Marie Carter.............................. Respiratory Care.......................................... Norton, KS

 Cody Jess Caton................................ Engineering Technology................................ Flagler, CO

 Claire Marie Childs.............................. Respiratory Care....................................... Brewster, KS

 Joshua Blaine Culp............................. Precision Agriculture Technology............ Scott City, KS

 Caleb Anton Dechant............................ Precision Agriculture Technology........... Goodland, KS

 Zachary Allen Ehrlich........................ Engineering Technology.............................. Wellsville, KS

 Seth Anthony Flax............................... Precision Agriculture Technology............... Ransom, KS

 Cord Donald Frink................................. Precision Agriculture Technology........... Arapahoe, NE

 Asaph Garcia................................... Cloud & Crypto Computing........................... Goodland, KS

 Alyson Christine Gotchall........................... Respiratory Care................................ Goodland, KS

 Anna Grace Guillot............................... Respiratory Care...................................... Goodland, KS

 Ryan Joseph Heier............................... Precision Agriculture Technology........... Grainfield, KS

 Tyler James Higgins............................ Business Technology................................ Goodland, KS

 Ellie Terease Higgins........................... Business Technology................................... Elkhart, KS

 Jonathan W Hopson....................................... Carpentry.................................... Monument, KS

 Bryson Lee Ihrig.................................. Diesel Technology.................................... Goodland, KS

 Heather J Johnson.................................. Child Care Specialist.......................... Burlington, CO

 Tayler Allen Kleinow.............................. Computer Graphics Technology......... North Platte, NE

 Chelsey Lyn Knitig............................ Engineering Technology............................. Goodland, KS

 Isaac Julius Kraushaar..................... Engineering Technology.......................... Phillipsburg, KS

 Matthew Lalicker............................. Cloud & Crypto Computing........................... Goodland, KS

 Jessi Ann Lewman....................... Respiratory Care.................................................. Marion, KS

 Erick Marroquin................................. Electrical Technology.................................... Holyoke, CO

 Anthony Erek Martinez............................... Electrical Technology.............................. Lamar, CO

 Mariela Montes...................................... Respiratory Care........................................ Ulysses, KS

 Joseph Myers.................................. Engineering Technology................................ Goodland, KS

 Jose Ruben Olague....................................... Electrical Technology.............................. Holly, CO

 Brandon Eloy Orozco..............................Carpentry..................................................... Lamar, CO

 Colton A Pfannenstiel......................... Precision Agriculture Technology...................... Hays, KS

 Uriel Alejandro Pina............................ Electrical Technology.............................. Garden City, KS

 Jose Prieto.................................. Electrical Technology.......................................... Holyoke, CO

 Chaye Elizabeth Dano Ralph............... Cloud & Crypto Computing........................... Goodland, KS

 Damian Antonio Ramos.....................Carpentry........................................................... Lamar, CO

 Zane A Rankin..................................Carpentry............................................................ Lamar, CO

 Ashley Rodriguez................................. Cosmetology.............................................. Goodland, KS

 Alejandro Rojas..................................... Computer Graphics Technology.................. Granada, CO

 Sarengbe Sanogo.................................. Business Technology.......................................... France

 Noah E Schears................................... Engineering Technology............................. Goodland, KS

 Rayanna Mary Schmidt................................ Respiratory Care....................................... Colby, KS

 Jacob Andrew Seamon.................................. Electrical Technology............................ Pierre, SD

 Omrhan Sharaf El Yasin............................... Business Technology................................. Veneuela

 Kenli R Shaw.................................... Cloud & Crypto Computing..................... Sharon Springs, KS

 Christopher J Stecklein................................. Respiratory Care.......................................Hays, KS

 Andrew Thomas Strange............................ Engineering Technology............................. Colby, KS

 Youssouf Timera................................... Business Technology.......................................... France

 Brodie M Traver.................................... Precision Agriculture Technology................... Swink, CO

 Tyree Michael Turnbull............................... Engineering Technology............................. Hays, KS

 Adriana Lizeth Valdez Dominguez....... Cloud & Crypto Computing.......................... Brewster, KS

 Carson J Van Eaton............................... Electrical Technology..................................... Colby, KS

 Saul Vargas Rojas................................... Precision Agriculture Technology........... Goodland, KS

 Michael Raymond Vars...................... Cloud & Crypto Computing........................... Goodland, KS

 Kyle Ray Whitley............................... Engineering Technology................................ Goodland, KS

 Aiden Leo Rae Wicker............................. Carpentry................................................... Norton, KS

 Bethany Lorianne Wright........................... Medical Assistant.............................. Burlington, CO

 

Dean’s Honor Roll List

 Ethan Archer Andersen......................... Electrical Technology................................ Holyoke, CO

 Nicholas Wilson Baker............................. Electrical Technology............................... Oberlin, KS

 Ashton Craig Bearley............................... Automotive Technology............................. Ludell, KS

 Bradley Bogert................................................... Welding......................................... Quinter, KS

 Jessa Lynn Borger............................... Medical Assistant........................................ Quinter, KS

 Bryce Charles Boumans.............................. Carpentry.......................................... Naperville, IL

 Tajairus Dravontis Brown......................... Business Technology............................... Elmore, AL

 Aaron I Bustillos............................... Electrical Technology................................... Syracuse, KS

 Rhiannon Francis Cacavio.................... Computer Graphics Technology................ Goodland, KS

 Taiden Lee Conner.............................. Business Technology........................................ Allen, TX

 Garrett Leroy Davis............................... Carpentr..................................................... Augusta, KS

 Federico Hernandez Dominguez........... Cloud & Crypto Computing........................ Goodland, KS

 Trent Roy Doudna............................ Diesel Technology............................................. Greeley, CO

 Joseph Monroe Dougherty......................... Welding................................................... Elkhart, KS

 Madison Taylor Ellsworth....................... Crime Scene Investigation............................ Olathe, KS

 Jacob Carter Franz................................ Electrical Technology..................................... Colby, KS

 Elias Ivan Garcia............................................. Carpentry.......................................... Bethune, CO

 Jesus Manuel Gonzalez................................. Electrical Technology............................ Lamar, CO

 Trenton Hawes............................................. Diesel Technology............................... Ephrate, WA

 Zaire McKinley Hayes............................ Business Technology................................ Rosharon, TX

 Taylor Anthonie Heili............................. Cloud & Crypto Computing....................... Scott City, KS

 Megan Mackenzie Hunt......................... Automotive Technology....................... Junction City, KS

 Connor Jesse........................................ Precision Agriculture Technology................... Akron, CO

 Wyatt Henry Johnson.................................... Diesel Technology.............................. Linwood, KS

 Darian Michael Kent........................... Cloud & Crypto Computing........................... Goodland, KS

 Peter Kipkemboi Kimaiyo.......................... Medical Assistant............................................. Kenya

 Tanner Joseph King................................ Computer Graphics Technology........... Garden City, KS

 Brian Kipkosgei........................................... Medical Assistant.......................................... Kenya

 Brian Koech Kiptoo................................... Medical Assistant............................................ Kenya

 Raphael Kitur...................................... Business Technology............................................. Kenya

 Colten Paul Lewis.................................... Diesel Technology.......................................... Ellis, KS

 Andrew David Dennis Macki.................... Electrical Technology..................................... Gem, KS

 Gabrielle V Makin................................... Medical Assistant............................... Painted Post, NY

 Tabitha Lynn Marie McClendon............. Cloud & Crypto Computing..............,......... Lakeland, FL

 Joshua Nathaniel Miller.......................... Diesel Technology............................... Smicksburg, PA

 Daniel Robert James Moose...................... Business Technology.............................. Wichita, KS

 James Lee Neel................................................... Welding....................................... McCook, NE

 Zane T O'connor....................................... Diesel Technology..................................... Elkhart, KS

 Israel David Oden............................................ Welding.............................................. Flagler, CO

 Alexzander Gene Olliff.................................. Diesel Technolog.................................. Norton, KS

 Amulek Amo Partida.................................. Electrical Technology......................... Bradenton, FL

 Emilio Gabriel Pena........................... Cloud & Crypto Computing........................... Goodland, KS

 Tyjhanae Louise Penny....................... Crime Scene Investigation..................... Wichita Falls, TX

 Jillian Ann Podrybau...................... Crime Scene Investigation................................. Natoma, KS

 Kody Amedie Price.......................... Engineering Technology................................ Goodland, KS

 Lauryn J Reyes.......................... Electrical Technology.............................................. Lamar, CO

 Ivan Robles Gonzalez........................ Electrical Technology................................... Goodland, KS

 Susana Rodriguez...................... Medical Assistant................................................ Goodland, KS

 Cole Allen Salmans............................... Diesel Technology....................................... Hanston, KS

 Mariam Sanogo......................................... Business Technology...................................... France

 Sydney Schears................................ Engineering Technology................................ Goodland, KS

 Nathaniel D Schears......................... Engineering Technology................................ Goodland, KS

 Abigail G Scott............................... Engineering Technology...................................... Lenora, KS

 Xavier Elgin Sharp........................... Cloud & Crypto Computing.................................. Olathe, KS

 Dane Matthew Shores.................... Electrical Technology....................................... Goodland, KS

 Jesse Daniel Smith.......................... Engineering Technology.................................... Tribune, KS

 Quincy Lee Snoddy............................. Business Technology........................... Daytona Beach, FL

 Elisa Sole Sanchez............................... Business Technology...................................... Barcelona

 Zander Steyn................................ Electrical Technology......................................... South Africa

 Lucas Michael Ward........................ Engineering Technology................................... McClave, CO

 Gavin Thomas Wasson................................. Carpentry.............................................. Selden, KS

 Cerena Ca'linda Watson.............................. Business Technology........................... Titusville, FL

 Erika Ruby Wilkins........................... Crime Scene Investigation............................. Holdrege, NE

 Ty Curtis Wilson............................... Electrical Technology............................ Sheridan Lake, CO

 Ethan Caleb Yancy........................ Business Technology....................................... Richmond, TX

 

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!

Northwest Tech Employee Recognized by Kansas Association of Financial Aid Administrators [Goodland, KS] - Alaina Smith was recognized for 5 years of service by the Kansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (KASFAA).

Presented during April’s spring conference in Salina, Kansas, Northwest Tech’s own Alaina Smith received a service award. Service awards are presented to members and associate members who have contributed a sustained membership in KASFAA.

Alaina currently serves as the Student Account Specialist at Northwest Tech. Alaina helps Northwest Tech students and their families with guidance in regarding financial aid programs, application procedures, budget development, debt management, and financial resources.

“This award, earned by Alaina, documents the hard work she is willing to do in order to provide students with top-notch support services,” said VP of Operations, Sherri Knitig.

Alaina has dedicated time and effort to KASFAA professional development workshops, trainings, and annual conferences. The organization certifies the skills and knowledge of financial aid professionals at postsecondary institutions statewide.

“My favorite thing about my job is working with all the students; each student comes from a different walk of life and is unique in their own way,” said Alaina, “It brings me joy when I get to help students and their families.”

In addition to her duties in the Financial Aid Office, Alaina has been part of numerous campus groups and initiatives such as the Wellness Committee, Employee Benefits and Recognition Committee, SAP Committee, and Enrollment and Retention Committee.