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Students benefit from new articulation agreement between ESU, Kansas Association of Community Colleges

by Gwendolynne Larson

Emporia, KS (11/20/2025) — Emporia State University and the Kansas Association of Community Colleges made history today (Thursday, Nov. 20) with a new partnership to benefit higher education students in Kansas. The partnership is an articulation agreement between ESU and all 19 Kansas community colleges.

"We now have a seamless transfer pathway for those who graduate with an associate's degree from any Kansas community college who want to move on to a designated major or a bachelor's degree from Emporia State," explained Greg Schneider, ESU assistant vice president of academic strategies and government relations.

Added Heather Morgan, KACC executive director, "This partnership is the first of its kind in Kansas."

The new agreement was signed at the conclusion of a joint program on the ESU campus featuring Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft, ESU President and CEO Ken Hush and Kansas Deputy Secretary of Commerce Mike Beene.

"Today is representative of the approach we now take here at ESU," said Hush. "We build relationships and measurable partnerships in pursuit of greater efficiencies in higher education that can provide savings to students, their families and Kansas taxpayers."

This partnership is the most recent step taken by Emporia State University since 2022 to reinvent higher education to meet the needs of STUDENTS-STUDENTS-STUDENTS. Other notable changes that are culminating in the current Year of Celebration at ESU include:

  • NO increase in tuition & fees for two consecutive years resulting in millions in savings for ESU students and families.
  • Decreased student fees for fall 2024.
  • Highest investment in student employee opportunities in history
    • Increased student minimum wage by $2.50 / hour, adding approximately $1 million into students' pockets during their time on campus.
    • Reinstated 300 student jobs (previously eliminated).
    • Reinstated 50 graduate assistantships (previously eliminated).
  • Eliminated campus parking fees for all students & employees.
  • 141% more student scholarships awarded; 70% of ESU students now receive one or more scholarships.
  • Launched new $21 per credit hour courses for area high school students with an increased scholarship to cover 80% of original cost, resulting in increased enrollment by 155%.
  • Expanded in-state tuition to lower 48 U.S. states resulting in increased out of state student recruitment efforts.
  • Rebuilt and re-invested in new student enrollment and recruiting (funding previously decreased). Return on investment demonstrated through new student enrollment increases.

About Emporia State University

Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its institute and seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Library and Information Management & Library and Archives, Science & Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.

ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.

For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.

Media Attachments

Presidents and representatives of the 19 Kansas community colleges along with Kansas lawmakers and leaders of Emporia State University gather to celebrate the signing of an articulation agreement between ESU and the community colleges, the first such blanket agreement in Kansas.

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