National CTE Signing Day at Cowley

Alongside dozens of other NC3 Leadership Schools, Cowley College hosted its third NC3 National Letter of Intent Signing Day on April 18, 2024. This event took place on stage in the Brown Center Theater. The event was also live-streamed on Cowley‘s YouTube channel, which tied together with the dozens of other institutions hosting signing day ceremonies by live, nationwide simulcasts. A list of participating schools are available at https://www.nc3.net/leadership-schools/.

20 Childcare and Development, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Nondestructive Testing, Paramedic, and Welding students who have enrolled at Cowley for the 2024-25 school year came to the signing ceremony, similar to an athletic signing. Participating students signed letters of intent that saved their spot in the CTE program of their choice for the fall semester. 

In addition, Kaylee Nacarrette won the Grand Prize, a books & tuition scholarship valued at approximately $2300.00. This national event, sponsored by the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), mirrors the NCAA’s National Signing Day for athletes who commit to playing sports in college. It honors students who enter a technical education field. 

“By signing our incoming students to Letters of Intent, we’re telling them that we’ve reserved a place for them, and we want them. Technical education will prepare them for a strong career,” said Joe Clasen, Technical Education Workforce Liaison. “Industry leaders are excited about this opportunity because it validates the student’s aspirations and provides an opportunity for industry representatives to meet these future workers.”

NC3’s global industry partners, local area businesses, community leaders, and Cowley’s corporate partners participated in this exciting event to show support and provide information to students and their families. Students and family members interacted with potential future employers and learned more about high-demand jobs in dynamic industries.

Cowley proudly offers technical programs in Welding, Nondestructive Testing, Cosmetology, and Wind Energy Technology just to name a few. In addition, Cowley College is currently expanding its campus to include a new home for all Technical Education students. This new construction is slated to conclude before the start of the Fall semester.

ABOUT COWLEY COLLEGE 

The Arkansas City Junior College was established in 1922. For 30 years, the college had facilities in the basement of the Arkansas City High School. Because the “basement university” experienced incredible growth, the creation of a college campus began with the construction of Galle-Johnson Hall in 1950. In 1965 we changed our name to Cowley County Community College and Vocational-Technical School to reflect our position as the community college for Cowley County.

Today, Cowley College has campuses and educational centers throughout south central Kansas in Arkansas City, Mulvane, Wellington, Wichita, and Winfield.

Visit cowley.edu to learn more. 

ABOUT NC3 

NC3 was established to help build a workforce prepared to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s industries by connecting employers and educational institutions in synergistic partnerships that foster effective training, elevation of skilled careers, and employment opportunities. In fulfilling its mission, NC3 builds deep industry-educational partnerships and develops, implements and sustains industry-recognized portable certifications built on national skills standards. We envision an industrial labor market where all workers have jobs they need to thrive and all companies have well-trained employees they need to operate and grow. Learn more at www.nc3.net.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu