Patterson Family Foundation seeks to strengthen rural economy with this generous investment.
Manhattan, KS – Manhattan Area Technical College has been awarded a $668,000 grant by the Patterson Family Foundation. The school said the grant focus on students in grades 6-12 and aims to grow and sustain the talent pool in rural communities.
The initiative strengthens key industries identified by the Patterson Family Foundation as "the backbone of America's economy and vital to the health and well-being of rural communities." Manhattan Tech has long been a leader in these professions, including Welding, Construction/Carpentry, HVAC-R, Electrical, Automotive Services, and Industrial Machinery Mechanics. The grant will benefit rural-identified counties, including Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Marshall, Morris, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, and Waubansee.
"As part of this initiative, students have the opportunity to earn credentials and college credit at little to no cost," states Manhattan Tech President Jim Genandt. "With the generosity of the Patterson Family Foundation, we are building an educational pathway that can lead to certificates and degrees at Manhattan Tech and ultimately an in-demand profession in a rural critical field."
A portion of the funding will go toward creating a Mobile Technology Lab equipped with virtual and augmented reality tools that can be brought directly to these communities.
Junior and senior high school teachers will also benefit through access to training, equipment, and ongoing mentoring provided by Manhattan Tech to effectively teach hands-on and technology-enabled lessons in these fields.
Additionally, efforts made possible by this grant will foster community engagement by enabling parents, counselors, and community workforce specialists to participate in virtual and hands-on experiences, thereby enhancing their understanding and promotion of these occupations to area youth.
For more information on how to participate, please contact:
David Umanzor, Outreach Coordinator, [email protected]