Update from Wichita Area Technical College and Wichita State University on partnership discussions
The information below will provide you with background on the process and outline next steps as we consider this important move.
-- John Bardo, president, Wichita State University
-- Sheree Utash, president, Wichita Area Technical College
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The engagement between WSU and WATC grew out of a request from the Sedgwick County Technical Education and Training Authority, WATC's governing board, to see if cooperative efforts could be broadened in a way to benefit both institutions.
The first phase of discussions began last summer and continued through January. The institutions developed guiding principles to address questions about the form the partnership could take, the impact it would have and the process needed to move forward.
The second phase of discussions, just getting underway, will focus on the possibility of a merger under which WATC would become part of WSU as a school or college of applied sciences and technology within the university.
No decision has been made. Any plan that emerges from these discussions is subject to agreements on a multitude of details and formal approval by the Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas Legislature and the Higher Learning Commission, which is the national accrediting agency for both institutions.
"WATC and WSU are already working well together," said Lyndon Wells, WATC board chairman. "We believe students, industry and the community will benefit from a merger that combines resources to meet the workforce and educational needs of south central Kansas. For WATC students this strategic alliance broadens educational, career and college life opportunities."
Wells said the merger has the potential to benefit community and industry by building upon the coordinated efforts of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT), the Innovation Campus and Blueprint for Regional Economic Growth (BREG).
The merger, he said, would provide opportunities for enrollment growth and job placement by leveraging existing partnerships with area industries through applied learning experiences.
Sheree Utash, president of WATC, said a merger could significantly increase the ability of both institutions to provide highly skilled employees for the Kansas workforce.
"Combining our assets would offer this region and state an even greater catalyst for economic growth," Utash said. "We are enthused about the possibilities of creating an open-access college within the university that is dedicated to career and technical education and providing rapid responses to the evolving needs of industry."
WSU President John Bardo said the two institutions are already strong partners in the National Center for Aviation Training and in the new Shocker Pathway program.
"Around the country, we see colleges similar to WATC merging with nearby research universities to bring the best of both institutions together, providing a continuum of education from GED to Ph.D.," Bardo said. "This alliance would benefit WSU students by combining the energies of higher education, technical training, innovation, research and internship opportunities."
Tony Vizzini, WSU's provost and senior vice president, said the potential merger is consistent with WSU's strategic vision of becoming a model of applied learning and research and would bring new resources to fulfilling its strategic goal of guaranteeing an applied learning or research experience for every student.
Utash and Vizzini will lead continuing discussions of the merger. Those discussions will include sessions with faculty, staff, students, industry partners, public officials and supporters of each institution to arrive at a plan that is beneficial to all parties.
Working through the details of the merger and gaining necessary approvals is expected to take up to two years.