KBOR committee approves AAS in food and feed manufacturing with Cowley College articulation talks

The Board Academic and Student Committee approved a proposal to add an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in food and feed manufacturing and discussed a developing articulation agreement with Cowley College meant to allow certificate‑holders to apply credits toward the AAS.

Dean Mosher told the committee that staff and Cowley College had met since the last BASC meeting to develop an articulation that would allow Cowley certificates to transfer into the AAS. “We have developed an articulation agreement, and sent that to Cowley for their review,” Mosher said, adding that the agreement would allow students who complete Cowley’s certificates to apply those credits, including general education core, toward the 60‑credit associate degree.

President Michelle Schoen, who said she participated in conversations with Kansas State and Cowley, noted structural differences in course design that limited straight course‑by‑course transfers: “A lot of our things transferred over on their articulation as electives. Where I guess we would like to have seen more course‑to‑course articulation…their program wasn’t designed with that in mind.” Schoen said about 17 technical credits from Cowley transferred; remaining credits tended to be general education.

Regent Mendoza thanked both institutions for collaboration. Regent Johnston moved that the item be placed on the full board’s discussion agenda rather than the consent agenda because the request — a university asking for an AAS — is relatively unusual. Regent Johnston’s motion to approve the AAS while recommending discussion placement on the full board agenda passed on a voice vote.

Committee members emphasized the program’s workforce focus and cross‑sector collaboration. Mosher and Kansas State staff told the committee the intention is a “1+1” pathway — students completing one year at Cowley and a second year at Kansas State to earn the AAS — and that some technical course adjustments remained under negotiation.

The committee approved the program and will forward the proposal, along with the articulation work, to the full board for discussion.