Newman University and Colby Community College marked a new partnership at a signing ceremony Aug. 24 that will bring bachelor’s degree completion programs to students in northwest Kansas.
Through Newman’s HERE program, Colby students who earn an associate degree can continue into a full bachelor’s degree without leaving their community.
Colby Community College joins growing list
Colby joins Allen Community College and Hutchinson Community College as the newest HERE partners, expanding the program to six Kansas communities.
The partnership brings degrees in high demand across northwest Kansas, including radiologic technology, diagnostic medical sonography, and bachelor’s degrees in nursing and education. The lineup is expected to grow. Garden City Community College, one of the first HERE partners, began with three degrees — nursing, education and business — and now offers 10 through the Newman partnership.
“Colby and communities throughout rural Kansas continue to face a critical need for qualified educators and nurses,” said Seth Carter, president of Colby Community College.
“The HERE program provides our students with an opportunity to pursue these high-demand careers without having to leave the communities they call home,” Carter added. “By creating accessible pathways to advanced degrees, we can help strengthen our local workforce and keep talented individuals in northwest Kansas. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership with Newman University will provide our students and the communities we serve.”
Partnerships are a part of Newman’s mission
For Newman, the partnership continues a mission that reaches back to the university’s founding.
“Newman University was founded as a women’s college in the middle of the Great Depression to provide access to women who didn’t have access to education. That mission of access and serving all people is really why we’re here today,” said Alden Stout, vice president of academic affairs at Newman University. “It’s a really unique partnership because it allows access to face-to-face courses and bachelor’s degree completion right here in the county, right here at Colby.”
Cost is central to the program’s design. Scholarships and financial aid, which includes a $20,000-per-year Newman scholarship and a dollar-for-dollar Pell match, bring the cost of a bachelor’s degree down to as little as $750 a year. Students take night, online and traditional classes that fit around work and family, and most finish about two years after earning their associate’s degree.
Enroll today
Enrollment is now open at Colby Community College for the fall 2026 semester. Students can learn more and apply at CCCNewman.com.
