Pillar #4 Forever Washburn | Real-World Learning and Services
By KIM GRONNIGER
Whether it’s a person seeking a technical education or a company looking for training expertise to keep employee skills sharp, Washburn Tech is pivotal in shaping workforce development in Shawnee County.
Scott Smathers, dean of Washburn Tech, said the Forever Washburn campaign will assist the school’s efforts in three significant ways: provide scholarships that make it possible for more students of all ages to enroll in its programs; expand lab spaces to enhance learning environments and introduce new offerings; and allocate additional funding to recruit and retain experienced instructors.
BUILDING A SKILLED WORKFORCE
Technical education has undergone a renaissance in recent years. Many people now recognize hands-on learning as an excellent career entry point — not only for high school students but also for individuals who want to enhance their skills or switch industries.
“In some of our programs, students often make $50,000 after graduating with the potential to earn six-figure salaries as they progress in their careers,” Smathers said. “If they decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a later day, they are well-positioned to do that through Washburn University, where they can qualify for financial aid or seek reimbursement from employers who offer tuition assistance programs.”
Smathers said experimenting with technical education helps students determine whether a career is right for them before investing time and money into an occupation they won’t enjoy.
In June 2019, Washburn Tech opened an east campus to increase access to its programs and is finishing the construction of the facility’s second floor.
East campus participation in GED and English as a second language (ESL) classes has increased, in part because of Ukrainian students who relocated to Topeka to escape the war with Russia.
“We have about 85 students enrolled in our ESL program and maintain a waiting list,” Smathers said.
Washburn University announced in December that it would further expand educational opportunities by converting a former Kmart in North Topeka into its new manufacturing institute.
Washburn Tech’s Business and Industry Advisory Committee, comprising representatives from many Topeka companies, is a critical component for developing a highly qualified workforce in the capital city.
“We work hand in hand with our company partners to customize our curriculum to address their evolving needs, especially as technology changes,” Smathers said. “They know that they’ll be able to recruit employees who are ready to go on day one.”
Smathers said Forever Washburn will assist Washburn Tech in cultivating and retaining experienced staff.
“We’re blessed to have really good instructors, and Forever Washburn will help us continue to invest in their growth, as well as our students’ growth,” he said.
CULTIVATING LIFELONG CAMPUS RELATIONSHIPS
James Barraclough, director of Washburn University’s Career Engagement Office, is striving to solidify lifelong connections to the university for students and company partners.
Barraclough said experiential learning is a new focal point for his office. It complements other student immersion opportunities, such as the honors program, the study abroad program and the Aleshire Center for Leadership and Community Engagement. The development of local internship programs will provide additional opportunities for applied practical learning.
“We’re trying to connect with students and employers earlier than in the past,” he said. “From the beginning, we want to be more proactive in letting students know that they have opportunities for internships and then post-graduate employment here in Topeka.”
Barraclough visits with employers to determine their needs. He also works to bridge the gap between businesses while aligning with the university’s strategic framework and priorities to accelerate collaborative partnerships in the community.
Career engagement team members partner with the First Year Experience program to present information about the office’s resources and encourage participation in fall and spring career fairs. They also help students reflect on their majors and aspirations as they progress through their courses.
“If students are majoring in English or history or any field of study, we ask them what they want to do with their degree,” he said. “We’re planting seeds earlier so they can envision a path that will help them later in their search for a job or a graduate school.”
Additionally, Barraclough said he and his team work with students to develop workplace competencies around technology platforms and communication strategies that will complement the knowledge Washburn graduates bring to their future employers.
Although Barraclough began his new role as director in early 2024, he has already implemented drop-in hours for students. He has also created an ambassador program to handle routine inquiries about resumes and Handshake, an online platform that connects students with internships and jobs.
“Our student ambassadors provide immediate support and schedule appointments for questions that require more discussion,” he said. “They’ve been a great resource for sharing who we are and how we can help.”
The Career Engagement Office also collaborates with the Greater Topeka Partnership to promote local opportunities with its members through the Handshake platform. A recent Hire Local campaign details how employers can use the system to assist with their recruitment needs.
“We’ve adopted a holistic approach to partner with students from when they first arrive on campus and then through graduation and beyond,” Barraclough said. “Creating campus and community relationships and opportunities that connect students to Topeka serves both the university and the city well.”
CREATING AN AFFINITY FOR THE CAPITAL CITY
Rhett Flood, executive director of Forge Young Talent, works closely with Washburn University to introduce each year’s influx of new students to the capital city’s attributes.
“Our Forge members put their best foot forward to share opportunities for employment and entertainment, beyond the campus, to integrate students into the community so they might consider staying in Topeka after graduation,” Flood said.
At the end of the university’s Welcome Week festivities, Forge hosts an annual Forge Fest concert to introduce students to downtown nightlife.
In collaboration with the Career Engagement Office, Forge young professionals help acclimate students to potential opportunities at fall and spring career fairs by “coaching them on how to introduce themselves and interact with employers,” Flood said.
Forge also works with the Career Engagement Office on a Hire Local partnership that connects students with companies offering employment and internship opportunities.
Flood believes Forge’s interaction with Washburn University students will persuade many to pursue careers in the capital city after graduation, growing Topeka’s population.
“Once people get plugged into Forge’s network of young professionals, they get to do neat things, make some cool friends and potentially meet their future partners,” Flood said.
He knows the pull of the network firsthand. A native of Independence, he attended a tourism conference that led to a Visit Topeka internship. He lived on his brother’s couch for a time while he worked for the organization and familiarized himself with the city’s offerings.
“I initially came for the opportunity and because my brother lived here, but I got involved and now I’ve been a Topeka transplant for eight years,” he said. “I love everything that’s going on in Topeka and this is home now.”
COLLABORATING FOR HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH CARE
Stormont Vail Health requires top talent to maintain its Magnet designation, an achievement that recognizes excellence in nursing and high-quality patient care.
Although Amy Kincade, chief nursing officer for Stormont Vail Health, focuses predominantly on nursing excellence in her role, she said caring for patients and ensuring safe, high-quality care requires a strong interdisciplinary team striving for excellence in all they do.
“In addition to nurses, we rely heavily on allied health professionals, social workers, physical and occupational therapy assistants and other professionals, many of whom have certifications or degrees from Washburn,” she said. “We’re excited to hear that Washburn’s freshman class grew by 27% this year because many of those students will go into health care fields, stay local and come work for us when they graduate.”
Collaborating with Washburn University’s nursing program is imperative as aging baby boomers translate to a higher demand for health care services, Kincade said. She noted that the nursing workforce has not rebounded completely from the pandemic.
She said this shift is occurring as enrollment across the state’s nursing programs has dropped about 38%.
“Nurses are retiring at a rate faster than we can fill their positions, so with fewer people entering the field it’s extremely important and valuable to be at the table with Jane Carpenter [dean of Washburn University’s School of Nursing],” Kincade said. “I can share my real-world lens and she can share what’s happening on the academic side to prepare nurses. We’re not just working together on paper but face to face to help all students, from licensed practical nurses to nurse practitioners, to help support all areas of nursing.”
Acknowledging that one-on-one relationships between hospitals and universities aren’t really the norm, Kincade said, “We’re grateful that in Topeka we can share with one another what students are experiencing and how we can provide mentorship and clinical opportunities to complement their academic work.”
Kincade said that although the pandemic precipitated a nursing shortage, it has also spurred discussions about how the hospital can be more flexible with its care model, especially with students requiring clinical experience who may not be able to undertake a typical 12-hour nursing shift.
“We’re looking for ways to better accommodate students, even high school students, who may be curious about nursing as a profession,” Kincade said. “We’d like to see every nursing school seat across the state be filled.”
The impact of the Forever Washburn campaign is already being felt across the university and beyond. From expanded scholarships to cutting-edge facilities, the campaign ensures that every gift, no matter its size, contributes to the success of Washburn’s students and community. Washburn’s commitment to innovation, inclusion and excellence is stronger than ever, ensuring it continues to serve as a source of success and inspiration for its students and the broader community.
