Coronavirus has caused a lot of adjustments for everybody the past eight months, but a lot of business or education leaders have done their best to move forward.
A case in point is Flint Hills Technical College, which has been in the process of several significant facility upgrades as President Dean Hollenbeck mentioned on KVOE’s Tech Talk on Tuesday.
Hollenbeck and Vice President of Advancement Mike Crouch had updates throughout the program. The machine tool program got a “huge advancement” with a new five-axis milling machine. This lets students start and finish a much wider range of projects than the current three-axis machines also on campus.
Crouch and Hollenbeck say the college also installed up to $150,000 worth of air handling units in the Welding Technology Center to help the air quality at that facility as well as new air conditioners for Dental Hygiene, R-TEC and Network Technology programs.
On top of those adjustments, construction is well underway for the Inspiring Wranglers campaign to renovate the Culinary Arts and Hospitality space. Phase 1, including the so-called senior kitchen, new demonstration space, new chemistry lab and renovated commons, will be done by the end of the year. Phase 2, including the larger kitchen, could be done by April. The overall project brings new baking, kitchen, and classroom space to the program to become accredited by the American Culinary Federation and allow students to achieve chef status upon completion of their associates degrees.
