Wichita, KS – March 6, 2026 – Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) has recorded the largest spring enrollment in the college’s history in both total credit hours and overall headcount. Building on a record-breaking Fall 2025 semester, Spring 2026 enrollment increased by 7.6% in credit hours and 6.6% in overall headcount, an additional 432 students, bringing total enrollment to 6,935 students.

This growth underscores WSU Tech’s continued focus on workforce development and expanding access to education across Kansas. The Spring 2026 semester represents a defining moment for the college, setting new benchmarks across multiple student populations:

  • The largest spring semester in WSU Tech’s history in both total credit hours and overall headcount.
  • The largest high school semester on record in credit hours and headcount, driven by increased participation in FutureReady Centers and technical courses funded by Excel in CTE.
  • The largest adult spring semester in credit hours and headcount, reflecting growing demand from adult learners pursuing career-focused education.

“This enrollment growth reflects steady progress in expanding access to technical education across Kansas,” said Dr. Sheree Utash, President of WSU Tech. “We are seeing strong participation from both high school students taking advantage of technical courses funded by Excel in CTE and adult learners seeking career-focused training. Our focus remains on aligning programs with industry needs and ensuring students can move efficiently into high-demand careers.”

High School Partnerships Drive Record Enrollment Growth

WSU Tech is seeing record participation from high school students across the region, with students from nearly twenty high schools earning WSU Tech technical education credits and dual-credit general education courses. Strong partnerships with districts such as Derby, Valley Center, Maize, Renwick, Goddard, and Wichita Public Schools continue to expand access to hands-on, career-focused training while allowing students to begin building college credit before graduation.

A key example of these partnerships is with Wichita Public Schools and the FutureReady Center model, which provides high school students with direct access to career-focused technical education pathways. Supported in part by the state’s Excel in CTE funding, these programs allow students to explore high-demand careers while earning tuition-free college credit.

Enrollment across FutureReady Centers has grown to 540 students, nearly doubling from 263 students in 2023. Healthcare enrollment has increased from 127 to 302 students during that time, while manufacturing programs have grown from 136 to 238 students.

In October 2025, WSU Tech and Wichita Public Schools also announced the opening of the Information Technology FutureReady Center at WSU Tech’s South Campus, expanding opportunities for students interested in careers in the growing IT sector. The program is already gaining momentum, with nearly 20 students currently enrolled.

“We are seeing more high school students across the region take advantage of opportunities to begin their college journey early,” said Jena Roth, Dean of High School Partnerships. “Through strong partnerships with school districts and the continued support of the State of Kansas through Excel in CTE, students are able to earn college credit, explore career pathways, and gain valuable industry exposure while still in high school. These opportunities are helping more students graduate with a clearer path toward high-demand careers.”

WSU Tech also recently expanded its high school footprint into Southeast Kansas through a partnership with the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) of Crawford County in Pittsburg, where approximately 200 students enrolled in the first two semesters.

Kansas Promise Expands Access to Career Training for Adult Learners

Adult enrollment continues to be strengthened by programs that remove financial barriers and open doors to high-demand careers. One of the most impactful has been the Kansas Promise Scholarship, a State of Kansas initiative that provides tuition assistance for residents pursuing training in fields such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and other critical workforce areas. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and required materials for eligible students attending Kansas technical and community colleges. Through the program’s requirement that graduates live and work in Kansas after completing their training, the scholarship helps ensure that skilled talent remains in the state to meet workforce needs.

Since launching in 2021, Kansas Promise has supported more than 1,600 WSU Tech students, providing over $10 million in scholarships to help Kansans pursue career-focused education and training.

Participation has grown significantly since the program’s early years. In its first year at WSU Tech, roughly 150 students received Promise funding totaling just over $500,000. Today, over 600 students annually benefit from the program, representing nearly $3 million in scholarship support.

This continued growth reflects the increasing demand for accessible workforce training across Kansas and the important role Promise plays in helping residents enter or advance in high-demand careers.

“Each student who enrolls at WSU Tech is making a deliberate investment in their future,” said Dr. Justin Pfeifer, Vice President of Student Success at WSU Tech. “Kansas Promise has made it possible for more students to pursue career training without the financial barriers that often stand in the way. We are seeing students accelerate into career pathways earlier and adults transition into new industries with the support they need to succeed.”

Looking Ahead

With record-breaking enrollment and continued alignment with industry needs, WSU Tech remains focused on expanding access to high-quality technical education across Kansas. The college is committed to strengthening partnerships, maintaining program excellence, and preparing students to meet the workforce demands of today and tomorrow.

This progress is made possible by private and public support and through ongoing investment in technical education to ensure that students across the state can access affordable, career-focused training that directly supports Kansas employers and regional economic growth.

“Programs such as Excel in CTE and Kansas Promise have expanded access and created meaningful opportunities for students across Kansas,” said Utash. “Continued investment in these initiatives is essential to maintaining Kansas’s competitiveness and ensuring that students, employers, and communities continue to benefit from a strong technical education system.”

 

About WSU Tech

As Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, WSU Tech stands at the forefront of modern technical education in Kansas, offering over 100 degree and certificate options. These programs cover critical fields such as aviation, health care, manufacturing, design, information technology, police science, culinary arts, business, and more. WSU Tech operates four campuses and serves as the managing partner of the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) in Wichita, KS—a city known for its high concentration of STEM jobs.

In 2018, Wichita State University, Kansas’ urban public research university, affiliated with WSU Tech, enhancing the institution’s student-centered focus and aligning with Wichita State’s dedication to innovation and applied learning. This partnership has created a comprehensive educational environment that supports student achievement and meets the evolving needs of industries in the urban heart of Kansas and beyond.

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and as a Kansas Board of Regents institution, WSU Tech upholds high academic standards and equips students with the skills necessary for lifelong success and career readiness.

For more information on how WSU Tech shapes the future of technical education and contributes to the workforce in Kansas and beyond, please visit www.WSUTECH.edu.

Follow WSU Tech on social media: Facebook| LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | X (Twitter) | TikTok