News / Press Releases

Northwest Tech was notified this morning that we have one individual on the Goodland campus who has tested positive for COVID-19. We are working with the Sherman County Health Department and are already conducting contact tracing to identify and contact individuals who have been in close proximity to the student. These individuals will be placed in quarantine as we follow health department protocols....

Campus Update: COVID-19 Cases

August 25, 2020
11:00am MT

We have returned safely to campus and have started the Fall 2020 academic year. We are now into the third week of classes with all programs and general education classes in operation and on-campus. While we remain keenly aware that we will likely see COVID-19 cases develop as the year continues, at this point, we have had 0 cases on our campus in Goodland or our outreach location in Quinter. We have been working diligently with the Sherman County Health Department to test students who demonstrate symptoms common for the COVID-19 virus and at this point in time, all have come back negative. When a positive case develops we will continue to adhere to HIPAA laws and protect the privacy of those impacted. We will post a notification on our COVID-19 webpage and send an email to students and employees that a case has developed.

May 20, 2020

Dear Mavericks,

I want to take a moment to thank all of our faculty, staff, and students for their efforts this spring to bring the semester to a close through virtual instruction. I know this was a significant departure from the hands-on courses upon which Northwest Tech was founded, but they made an effort to adapt and overcome. The diligence and determination shown over the past three months were admirable, and a reflection of the work-ethic we seek to develop. As our admissions team spends time talking with prospective students, one question continues to rise to the top: “Is Northwest Tech planning to be open for in-person classes in August?” It is my feeling that the time has arrived to address the question head-on, provide some context for our decision, and continue preparations to get back to the business of educating our students.

Resumption of In-Person Classes

I am pleased to announce that we are moving ahead with our plans to teach in-person classes for the Fall 2020 semester on our campus in Goodland and our location in Gove County. We are planning to resume instruction on our previously scheduled date of August 10, 2020. The health and safety of students, faculty, and staff are the foremost concern for all of us, and we will be taking steps to return to campus in as safe a manner as possible in the fall.

Date: March 18, 2020
Time: 9:00am (MT) 
RE: Northwest Tech Transition to Online – COVID-19 Response #3

In a press conference yesterday afternoon, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a directive closing public primary and secondary schools throughout the state of Kansas. As the situation continues to develop across the state, the time has arisen for the college to take the next preventative steps for those in our immediate vicinity. Effective today, Northwest Tech will move all classes online starting March 30, 2020, and for the duration of the semester.

While this was a difficult decision to reach, sometimes it helps to understand some of the considerations and background that brought us to this point:

Date: March 14, 2020
Time: 1:00pm
RE: Northwest Tech COVID-19 Response #2

Over the last 72 hours, Northwest Tech administration conducted a survey of students, faculty and staff to analyze travel patterns and destinations over spring break. This was done to make an informed decision regarding the potential local impact of COVID-19 on and around our campus. After evaluating survey information, over a third of respondents (100+) are traveling to or through some of the most highly impacted areas of the country. Knowing this, the data fully supports the need for additional protective measures for the campus and community.