In a significant boost to its efforts to expand educational access and workforce development in southwest Kansas, Newman University has been awarded a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) program.
President Kathleen S. Jagger, Ph.D. made the announcement to the Newman community earlier this week.
“This grant is a game-changer for the region,” Jagger said. “By providing accessible and affordable education, coupled with workforce development opportunities, we are empowering individuals and communities to thrive.”
Enhancing educational programs and partnerships
The RPED grant will significantly bolster several of Newman’s four-year degree programs, including agribusiness, business, education, nursing and the soon-to-be-launched sonography program. Driving this expansion is the university’s collaborative partnerships with local community colleges, including Dodge City Community College (DCCC), Garden City Community College (GCCC), and Seward County Community College (SCCC).
These partnerships go beyond expanding academic offerings, as Newman is creating stronger connections with area high schools and industries throughout southwest Kansas. The development of internships, cooperative education programs and clearly mapped career paths will provide students with valuable applied learning experiences. These immersive opportunities will enrich their education and position students for a successful transition into local jobs after graduation. Simultaneously, regional companies stand to gain from an influx of homegrown, career-ready talent cultivated through this enhanced higher education-to-workforce pipeline.
Strengthening student support services
One of the grant’s key focus areas is to grow student support services. This includes enhancing recruitment efforts, providing comprehensive advising, offering financial aid assistance and supporting career development initiatives. The goal is to create a seamless and supportive environment for students from the moment they consider enrolling to the time they graduate and enter the workforce.
Technological enhancements and dedicated staff positions
The grant will fund several technological enhancements, including creating smart classrooms and a laptop loaner program for students. These advancements are designed to ensure that all students have access to the necessary resources to succeed in their studies.
Additionally, the grant will support the hiring of four dedicated staff positions to create a “one-stop shop” for various student services. The new positions include project coordinator, access coordinator, student success specialist and workforce and community liaison.
These roles are intended to streamline services related to recruiting, advising, financial aid support, registration and career services, making it easier for students to navigate their educational journey.
Internship stipends and community outreach
To further support students, the grant will establish internship stipends for those pursuing degrees in business and agribusiness. This financial support will enable students to gain valuable work experience without the added financial burden.
The stipends go beyond the annual scholarships and match grants Newman already provides to southwest Kansas students to drastically reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Students in need of the greatest financial support could see tuition costs as low as $750 per year.
Recognizing the diverse community it serves, Newman University will also hire a translator to attend community outreach events. This initiative aims to engage Spanish-speaking students and families more effectively, ensuring they have access to vital information and resources.
Differentiating from recent funding announcements
The RPED grant builds upon Newman’s $1.2 million in Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) funding recently announced with Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran. The CDS funding primarily supports the agribusiness program through a new state-of-the-art mobile agribusiness technology lab serving students in Wichita, Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal.
Looking ahead
Jagger expressed her gratitude for the collaborative spirit and hard work that went into securing the grant and the ongoing commitment to the university’s vision.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to the team, led by Vice President of Academic Affairs Alden Stout, Jessica Bird, our associate VP of outreach education and dean of the School of Education and Social Work, and Newman’s grant manager Victor Chavez.”
Stout added, “We look forward to collaborating with our community college partners, employers in the region and students on this exciting endeavor in the months ahead and we look forward to more innovative initiatives to come.”
Bird coordinates Newman’s outreach efforts and is excited for the potential in the region.
“These opportunities will enrich students’ education and position them for successful local employment post-graduation. Simultaneously, regional companies will benefit from an influx of homegrown, career-ready talent cultivated through this enhanced higher education-to-workforce pipeline”, Bird said. “I am passionate about helping Southwest Kansas thrive and grow, and these partnerships are a testament to that commitment.”
With these significant investments, Newman University is poised to make a profound impact on the educational landscape and economic vitality of Southwest Kansas, opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for countless students and families in the region.
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