K-State Salina's Aerospace Program Continues Unique Partnership with Great Plains Manufacturing for Scholarships and Industry Experience

Eight Exceptional Students Awarded Great Plains Scholars Program for On-the-Job Training and Scholarship Benefits

Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus is extending its distinctive scholarship initiative, enabling students to pursue a bachelor's degree while gaining invaluable on-the-job experience through part-time employment with Salina manufacturing company, Great Plains Manufacturing.

This year, eight students from K-State Salina, all dedicated to engineering technology degrees, have been selected as recipients of the Great Plains Scholars Program. These students, working 20 hours per week at Great Plains Manufacturing, are actively acquiring crucial skills in specialized industry technology, including line assembly and robotic weld automation centers.

Each student in the program receives a scholarship covering a significant portion of their educational expenses, alongside wages earned from their employment at Great Plains Manufacturing. Additionally, participants benefit from accelerated graduation timelines by taking year-round classes as part of the scholarship program. Students commencing the program in their freshman year can potentially graduate in as few as three years.

This marks the second year of collaboration between K-State Salina and Great Plains Manufacturing, aligning with industry demands and providing students with practical manufacturing experience to enhance their career prospects upon graduation. Looking ahead, Great Plains Manufacturing plans to expand the program, welcoming 20 students in 2024-2025 and potentially accommodating up to 36 students in 2025-2026.

The recipients of the 2023-2024 Great Plains Manufacturing Scholars Program at K-State Salina are:

1. Zach Gurka, freshman in mechanical engineering technology, Esbon
2. Ethan Unruh, freshman in electronic and computer engineering technology, Galva
3. Jacob Koop, senior in mechanical engineering technology, Inman
4. Dylan Ford, freshman in mechanical engineering technology, McPherson
5. Scott Person, sophomore in electronic and computer engineering technology, Minneapolis
6. Jeffrey Maiden, senior in mechanical engineering technology, Salina
7. Josiah Reilly, junior in mechanical engineering technology, Salina
8. Roman Bustillos, junior in mechanical engineering technology, Syracuse

K-State Salina is currently accepting early applications for the Great Plains Scholars Program from incoming freshmen students interested in starting in the fall 2024 semester. For more information and to apply, visit the Great Plains Scholars Program website.