TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Dean of Washburn Tech Scott Smathers joined the 27 News morning show to talk about the new Washburn Tech North facility that is now under construction.
There was a great turnout for the groundbreaking ceremony that took place on Aug. 26.
Dean Smathers talked about the plans for the Washburn Tech North building.
“We’re looking at putting in three different programs right off the bat for sure,” Smathers said. “We’re going to do our industrial maintenance program. We’re going to put in our cosmetology program. We’re going to move our business and industry group, where we’re building a manufacturing training center in there as well for business and industry to use. So a lot going on.”
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27 News asked Dean Smathers about the reaction from the north Topeka community.
“Well, North Topeka community’s been great,” Dean Smathers said. “They’ve been very supportive, very excited about it. I think that building sat empty for almost ten years. What’s been funny is it’s not just been the North Topeka community, it’s really been the community throughout has been excited because I think people realize by us moving up north, besides it being good for that area, it’s going to open up space at our other campuses on the east side and at Huntoon, which will give us an opportunity then to go ahead and expand our programs in those areas as well.”
27 News asked Dean Smathers why they chose the location.
“We kind of lucked into it,” Smathers said. “I mean, I’d like to tell you, it was the first place we wanted. You know, it’s great to be up north. And of course, we wanted to look in that area, but we were also looking at the possibility of building on our existing campus and this building came available to us. That opportunity was too good. We were able to basically build or get twice the space that we would have by building new and for less money. So by being able to do both those things, it was just a win win all the way around.”
He also spoke about fall enrollment.
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“It’s looking really good,” Smathers said. “I expect Washburn Tech to have record enrollment this year. It’s been a big deal.”
He told us that the facility is projected to open in early summer 2026, with students starting in fall 2026.
To hear more about what Dean Smathers had to say, you can watch the interview above.
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