Board of Regents committee approves Cali Community College electrical-technology certificates and associate program

A committee of the Board of Regents voted to approve Cali Community College’s proposal to create Electrical Technology Cert B, Cert C and an Associate of Applied Science program and placed the program, its student fee schedule and its Promise Act eligibility on the consent agenda.

The committee approved the program after staff presented labor-market data, program design and letters of industry support and after college representatives and local employers described the program’s curriculum, expected enrollments and startup costs.

Cali Community College told the committee the program will prepare students for OSHA and NCCER certifications and to sit for the journeyman electrician exam. The college estimated initial enrollment at about 10 students in year one and 20 in year two. Staff said the college anticipates initial startup costs of just under $200,000, including about $138,000 for equipment, tools and instructional supplies, roughly $58,000 for a new full‑time faculty position and $2,000 for technology.

"So we're we're very glad that we're finally able to bring it forward and ask for approval of that program for our students and for our community," said Dr. Rachel Bates, vice president of academic affairs at Cali Community College.

Committee staff summarized Kansas Department of Labor long‑term occupational projections showing electricians with a projected 0.9% annual employment change and a median annual wage of $59,880. The staff packet cited Lightcast job‑posting data (Dec. 2023–Dec. 2024) showing 616 total postings statewide (270 unique) with an annual median advertised salary of $64,900; when postings that omitted education were removed, 84% of postings listed a high‑school diploma or equivalent for entry.

College and industry representatives described local employer support. The proposal included three letters of industry support and commitments such as interviewing program graduates, donating materials and hosting apprenticeships. Mitch Petousek, an industry partner, said his supplier in Wichita had indicated a willingness to donate parts and possibly tools: "They really liked the idea of the school coming in down here, and they seemed, you know, very willing to work with with the school and or maybe through me to help out however possible." The supplier named in the presentation was American Electric in Wichita.

Committee members asked about instructor recruitment and student completion. Member Hess noted other institutions had received equipment donations from manufacturers such as Greenlee and asked whether the college had pursued similar partnerships. Dr. Bates said the college would seek a candidate with journeyman or master electrician credentials and planned to post the position promptly if approved so hiring could proceed before the next academic term.

Ray, a committee member, asked about the large gap between program concentrators and graduates shown in the KTIP data and where students went after leaving programs. Staff clarified that the wage reporting on the chart reflected students’ second quarter after exit and that some students leave programs early because employers recruit them before graduation.

The committee also considered the proposed course fees. Staff reported a total student cost of $1,286.90 for the electrical‑technology program, broken into roughly $650 for textbooks, $160 for industry certifications, $125 for work boots and about $350 for tools; the presentation noted some of these are typical out‑of‑pocket costs rather than a college charge.

Committee members voted to place the program approval, the fee schedule and Promise Act eligibility for the electrical‑technology program on the consent agenda. The motions carried by voice vote during the committee meeting.

The college said the program will be offered in the new Tyler Technical Education building in Arc City and that program leadership will include Dr. Rachel Bates and Daniel Brooks, the college's CTE department chair. The college also reported collaboration on curriculum and resources with Highland Community College, Dodge City Community College and Salina Area Technical College and support letters from Winfield USD 470.

The committee chair closed the item by congratulating the college and its industry partners and reminding members the full TA board will meet Jan. 30 at the Board of Regents in Topeka and that the next committee meeting is Feb. 13.