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The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program today named Northwest Kansas Technical College as one of 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges. Based on strong and improving in student outcomes—including in learning, completion rates, employment rates and earnings, and equity—15 percent of community colleges nationwide have been invited to apply for the Aspen Prize.

"We continue to be honored to be recognized by the Aspen Institute for the great work our faculty and staff do each day," said Northwest Tech President Ben Schears. "The cohort model, contact time with faculty, and small campus environment are incredible assets to helping our students succeed."

The 150 community colleges named today as eligible to compete for the 2021 Aspen Prize were selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 public two-year colleges nationwide using publicly available data on student outcomes. Located in 39 states in urban, rural, and suburban areas, serving as few as 500 students and as many as 75,000 students, these colleges represent the diversity and depth of the community college sector.

Data show that over the last two years, student retention, graduation rates, and degree completion have improved at the top tier of 150 Aspen Prize-eligible colleges.

“Community colleges play a vital role in developing talent and enabling social mobility across the country, and it’s critical for them to get better at what they do,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “We’re pleased to see evidence that these institutions are improving, that more are delivering on their promise. We’re also pleased to play a role in honoring outstanding community colleges and sharing what works to ensure great outcomes for students—through graduation and beyond.”

The top ten finalists for the 2021 Aspen Prize will be named in May 2020. The Aspen Institute will then conduct site visits to each of the finalists and collect additional quantitative data, including employment and earnings data. A distinguished jury will make award decisions in spring 2021.

Northwest Tech continues to be one of the top-performing 2-year colleges in the nation for the categories analyzed by the Aspen Institute. Strong connections with business and industry in each program ensure there are numerous opportunities for employment waiting for graduates. "Our role is to serve as a pipeline to the workforce," said Schears. "The connections our teams build with future employers have resulted in high-wage and in-demand jobs for our students - and you simply can't ask for more."

Previous winners of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence are: Miami Dade College (FL) and Indian River State College (FL), 2019; Lake Area Technical College (SD), 2017; Santa Fe College (FL), 2015; Santa Barbara City College (CA) and Walla Walla Community College (WA), 2013; Valencia College (FL), 2011.

For a full list of the top 150 eligible institutions and to read more on the selection process, visit www.highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize.

Nominations for the 2020 Outstanding Alumni are Now Open!

Goodland, KS. (01/13/2020)  – This year will mark the 3^rd annual Outstanding Maverick Alumnus award ceremony at Northwest Kansas Technical College. The award is presented to a Northwest Tech graduate that has achieved significant recognition or accomplishment in their chosen field.

Northwest Tech takes pride in honoring our alumni, many of whom create benefits for our current students. Throughout the academic year, many alumni donate their time to offer career support to students of their field and several serve as members of our Program Advisory Committees. This structure enhances students’ experience and gives them a competitive edge as they enter the workforce. A supportive alumni network is crucial to our success at Northwest Tech and we strive to continue our students as they begin their careers and beyond. As we say at Northwest Tech, once a Maverick, always a Maverick!

The Endowment Association is asking for nominations of individuals to receive the 2020 Outstanding Maverick Alumnus award. Nominations can be proposed via https://nwktc.wufoo.com/forms/outstanding-alumni-nomination/. Please contact Kelly James, Endowment Director, if you have any questions. The deadline to submit a nomination is March 15, 2020. Eligible nominations are reviewed and award selection will be made in early April. The award recipient will be made public after individual has agreed to accept the award. There are no speaking requirements of the alumnus we honor, but we will recognize them at the commencement ceremony on May 8^th, 2020.

Again, please visit https://nwktc.wufoo.com/forms/outstanding-alumni-nomination/ or contact Kelly James to nominate an outstanding Maverick Alumnus and help us recognize their achievements.

Kelly James

Endowment Director

Kelly.James@nwktc.edu

(785) 890-1529

Northwest Tech has recently welcomed a new Head Wrestling Coach, Chris Guillot. He is coming to Goodland already having a fondness and familiarity for the area, having served as the head coach for Goodland High School from 1999-2001. During his time at the district, he developed state championship and a top five team.

“I am excited to be back in Goodland, and I am ready to put together a competitive program that helps mold young men in a positive way,” said Guillot, “Goodland is a supportive community, and I will strive to build a program they will be proud to stand behind.”

Guillot graduated with his degree in Physical Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he wrestled and earned distinction as an NCAA Division II All-American. Before his time at the university, he spent two years wrestling under well-known area coach Steve Lampe while at Colby Community College, also earning honors as an NJCAA Wrestling All-American. Throughout his years of coaching and competing, he has built an extensive network of wrestling advocates, including former wrestling champions such as Ramico Blackmon, Willie Gadson, and Nate Carr.

Beyond his wrestling achievements, Guillot has been a successful business owner, husband, and father of two (son and daughter). His son, Hayes, returned to the Goodland area last semester when he enrolled as a Precision Agriculture student at Northwest Tech. Guillot’s return to the area fulfills one of his life’s goals; to coach college wrestling. “After talking to my family about the opportunity, I’m thrilled to be able to come to Northwest Tech to pursue my dream,” said Guillot. “I want to carry the torch and one day pass it on, as did all the great coaches that took the time to help me accomplish my dreams.”

Athletic Director Rory Kling was proud to bring Guillot in as the next wrestling coach. “We have built a program over the last decade that proves we can be successful against some of the best talent in the country," said Kling. "Guillot’s dedication to developing student-athletes both on and off the mat will serve him well as the leader of our Mavericks.”

The selection of Guillot as the new wrestling coach comes mid-season following a recent vacancy in the head coaching position. Northwest Tech President Ben Schears said he has enjoyed getting to know Guillot and the path that brought him back to Goodland. “We needed someone with maturity, life-experiences beyond the mat, and a passion for growing and developing our wrestlers as competitors and men” said Schears. “We spent a lot of time talking after the position opened up, and I feel like we have found the right guy to write the next chapter in Northwest Tech Wrestling.”

The Goodland community is invited to an open invitation meet-and-greet on January 15th at 6:30 PM MT in the Guy E. Mills Athletic Building. Community members will have a chance to meet Coach Guillot and learn more about Northwest Tech’s wrestling program. Northwest Tech is happy to welcome Coach Guillot to campus and eager to see what the Maverick Wrestling team will achieve this season.

Goodland, KS. (10/15/2019)  – Northwest Kansas Technical College Athletic Director Rory Kling announced last week that Melvin Crow will lead the Shooting Sports program as head coach.

Northwest Tech is moving up the national graduation rate rankings according to a recent report published by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The Almanac, an annual publication produced by The Chronicle of Higher Education, provides national insights on data and trends throughout higher education. While the college has had steady success with graduation rates, this year Northwest Tech was ranked as #9 among 876 two-year publicly-funded colleges in the United States. The new ranking places the college on the verge of breaking into the top 1% of colleges nationwide. It also reflects a 10 position jump from the prior year.