MHK Pathways

Manhattan Tech and Kansas State University Launch MHK Pathway to Expand Access and Opportunity for Kansas Students 

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Manhattan Area Technical College and Kansas State University have signed a new agreement creating the MHK Pathway program, a partnership designed to open more doors for Kansas learners while strengthening educational opportunities across the state and local area. 

Under the MHK Pathway program, eligible students who do not meet K-State’s academic requirements for admission as degree-seeking freshmen can live in a K-State residence hall, join university programming, and experience K-State student life during their first year, while completing courses concurrently at Manhattan Tech. The program removes barriers for students who might not otherwise have direct access to a four-year university as they build skills that lead to long-term success. 

“This partnership is about access and confidence,” said Dr. James Genandt, President and CEO of Manhattan Tech. “It gives students a chance to start strong, stay supported, and build a future they can be proud of. Together, Manhattan Tech and K-State are creating new ways for Kansans to learn, work, and contribute to their communities.” 

For Manhattan Tech, the partnership is another example of how the college’s hands-on, career-driven approach helps students build better lives through education. The college’s programs in Industrial Maintenance, Nursing, Plumbing, Construction Technology, and other high-demand fields directly serve workforce needs across Kansas by training the essential workers who keep communities running. With the opening of the 47,000-square-foot Advanced Technology Center in 2024, Manhattan Tech doubled its capacity in key technical areas to meet growing industry demand. 

Manhattan Tech has ranked among the top five community colleges in the nation on WalletHub’s Best and Worst Community Colleges list for five consecutive years. In 2024, the college earned recognition as the #2 Best Two-Year College in the United States. According to WalletHub, more than 77% of former Manhattan Tech students earn higher incomes than the average for 25–34-year-olds with only a high school diploma. Graduates have a median salary of nearly $52,000, placing Manhattan Tech 12th among all colleges included in the study. 

Manhattan Tech also ranks among the top two-year colleges in the nation for student outcomes, with the lowest student loan default rate, the fifth-highest graduation rate, and the ninth-best first-to-second-year retention rate. The college’s employment services team continues to work one-on-one with graduates to connect them with in-demand jobs, supporting both those who complete credit-based academic programs and those who advance through non-credit pathways such as GED preparation and English language learning.  

The work we do at Manhattan Tech truly matters,” said President Genandt. “Every graduate who leaves our classrooms prepared for the workforce strengthens their family, their community, and our state. We’re not just helping them start a career—we’re helping them build a future filled with opportunity.” 

The first cohort of MHK Pathway students will begin in Spring 2026. 

For more information about Manhattan Tech and its programs, visit manhattantech.edu.