March 7, 2012
New continuing education program promotes degree completion for Kansas residents
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
This month the Division of Continuing Education launched a new educational campaign, the K-State Way.
The campaign promotes degree completion through eight online bachelor's degree programs. It reaches out to the 65,000 Kansas residents ages 25 to 45 who have some college but have not completed a degree.
These 65,000 Kansans will receive a postcard about how the K-State Way can help them complete their bachelor's degree. The campaign also includes locally-run TV, radio and online advertisements about the program. K-State recruiters throughout the state will also promote the K-State Way on location.
According to David Stewart, associate dean of the Division of Continuing Education, the program is a response from K-State to meet the needs of Kansans as well as the state.
"This program is a valuable economic development strategy for the state of Kansas," Stewart said. "Research shows that in states where the population has a higher level of education, there are corresponding economic benefits."
Following the launch's first weekend, response to the website – http://www.k-state.edu/finish – from online visitors has been very encouraging, Stewart said.
The K-State Way program follows the development of the 2+2 partnership agreements that were signed between K-State and all 19 community colleges in Kansas in fall 2011. Through these 2+2s, students enrolled in any Kansas community college can complete a bachelor's degree in general business from K-State via distance education. Plans for signed agreements to complete a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary social science through the university with all Kansas community college are moving forward. Other 2+2 partnerships with Kansas community colleges include animal sciences, dietetics, early childhood education, family studies and human services, food science and technology management.
Learn more about the K-State Way to completing a bachelor's degree at http://www.k-state.edu/finish.