If you think summer is a down time for higher education, think again.
Flint Hills Technical College President Caron Daugherty detailed an extremely busy summer on KVOE’s monthly Tech Talk this week. Daugherty says an increased budget — nearly $1.7 million higher than last year — bodes well for a lot of ventures, starting with a 7-percent pay raise for staff.
Following the college’s Board of Trustees meeting Monday, Daugherty says the college is now considering a brand-new advanced manufacturing facility. The board will have more conversations next month, with a request for qualifications being developed at this time.
Daugherty thanked local lawmakers for supporting a base grant of $1.5 million that the college can use for operations. The budget also includes a capital outlay increase, a new $250,000 line item for cybersecurity and a new $180,000 line item for apprenticeships.
Besides the budget, Daugherty also says the ongoing effort to bring a major semiconductor production plant to Coffey County is becoming “transformational” for the college, which is serving as the higher education technical advisor for the project. Besides the new facility, Daugherty says the college could see enhancements in numerous programs.
On top of that, Daugherty says the college will celebrate its 60th anniversary later this year, in part by renaming its main, technology and construction facilities in honor of past presidents who led the college for at least 10 years, including Richard Metcalf, Keith Stover and, most recently, Dean Hollenbeck as part of an idea suggested by staff.
