College of Technology

Nationally recognized programs


Over 15 program areas offered to students pursuing an undergraduate or master's degree.

Unique hands-on learning environment at the Kansas Technology Center, experienced and dedicated faculty, and extensive partnerships with industry are just some of the advantages that sets us apart.

  • Nationally recognized programs
  • Unique hands-on learning environment at the Kansas Technology Center
  • Experienced, dedicated faculty
  • Extensive partnerships with industry

The College of Technology offers a variety of organizations for students to join to gain experience and build relationships within their field of study. Many students also compete in national technology competitions.

Graduates from the College of Technology are respected and sought after by top regional, national, and international companies.

Download an interior map of the Kansas Technology Center

Features


Caterpillar ThinkBigger Graduate Juan Cavero

Automotive Technology graduate Juan Cavero

Company Days 2021

Company Days - click on the arrow for details!

Kaylea Robertson Graphics Communication Major

Graphic Communications graduate Kaylea Robertson

About College of Technology


  • Dean's Welcome
  • Kansas Technology Center
  • Mission & Vision

Dr. Judy Smetana, Interim Dean

judy-smetanaDr. Judy Smetana was named Interim Dean of the College of Technology, effective June 11, 2023. Dr. Smetana succeeds Dr. Robert Frisbee, who returned to teaching in Automotive Technology.

Dr. Smetana previously served as Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator for Human Resource Development in the School of Technology and Workforce Learning.

I have always admired the College of Technology because it offers incredible programs. Students have the opportunity to learn skills that are highly sought after and usually have jobs waiting for them upon graduating.

Additionally, our faculty and staff are dedicated and enjoy what they do. I look forward to working with them in exploring areas of development. With our new President and Vice President of Student Affairs, there will be exciting changes coming.

How we approach the future and secure our program offerings by being competitive will be a focus area for our college. Thankfully, our faculty have a high level of expertise in their respective fields. I look forward to working together to ensure we offer cutting-edge programs that graduate students who in turn help drive economic development.

Our college has the opportunity to be at the forefront of some unique collaborative projects. I look forward to us leading these efforts into the future.  

Kansas Technology Center

The Kansas Technology Center provides students with an unparalleled opportunity for hands-on learning and to gain experience in the field of their choice.  This unique learning environment offers thirteen computer labs with approximately 260 workstations and close to 70 technical laboratories for student learning.

KTC courtyard

The labs throughout the facility feature up-to-date equipment, much of it provided by industry and corporate partners of Pittsburg State University. Approximately $26 million dollars worth of equipment has been secured through donation, equipment loan or purchase.

Schedule a tour

Phone: 620-235-4365

History

From Construction to Present Day

The construction of the Kansas Technology Center (KTC) in 1997 was the realization of dreams more than a decade in the making. Construction began in 1994 and was completed in time for the opening of classes in 1997. With a gross floor of 278,700 square feet, the building is approximately 2 football fields long and 1.5 football fields wide.

 

Support and contributions from industries have played an important role in making the College of Technology one of the most prestigious technology schools in the nation. Currently, approximately $16 million dollars worth of equipment is placed in the KTC for students to use.

The KTC is designed with three key planning elements: flexibility, transformability, and ease of movement of materials and equipment throughout the facility. Flexibility is critical to the KTC because of the dynamics of technology which are constantly changing. Therefore, the layout of utility systems and room arrangement is designed to be flexible and transformable to address ever changing technological development. Specially designed spaces can also be transferred without compromising the structural integrity of the building. A 10 x 10 utility tunnel runs below the building's hallways. The interior walls in KTC are designed for transformability. The walls separating individual rooms located between hallways can be removed easily when needed.

Ease of movement of materials and equipment design allow the movement of materials and equipment in a fast and efficient way and the floors are designed to accommodate the weight of a fully-loaded forklift. A freight elevator can carry the same quantity to the second floor. Room S102 has an automatic overhead door which can allow a 10-wheeler tractor to be brought into the classroom.

The entire building is a lab for teaching about utility systems, construction, and other technologies. Gridded ceiling panels provide easy access for studying utility systems and large windows allow individuals to observe technology systems from the safety of a hallway.

Having the most updated equipment for students is a critical issue in order to maintain the quality of education. The College of Technology placed 341 online computers in its classrooms. It has false-floor computer labs and 16 labs with computer furniture. Students of the College of Technology can access the internet, complete their assignments, and conduct their research with the most current computers and software. The campus wireless network is available inside the building.

The Mission of the College of Technology

The mission of the College of Technology is to be the center for excellence in technology for the state of Kansas.  The College of Technology assumes this leadership role through programs in five departments: Automotive Technology; Engineering Technology; Graphics and Imaging Technologies; School of Construction; and Technology Management and Technology Studies.  The college meets its regional and national responsibility by giving particular attention to supporting economic development. 

Academic majors in the five departments lead to technical certificates, associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees with majors in automotive technology, engineering technology, graphics and imaging technologies, technology management and technology studies.  Graduate programs include Master of Engineering Technology and Master of Science degrees with majors in human resource development, technical teacher education, technology, technology education.  A Specialist in Education degree with a major in Industrial Education is also offered.

Five Areas of Responsibility

To accomplish its mission, the college recognizes the following five areas of responsibility:

  • The college supports excellence in education through its degree and certificate programs, and through its leadership in industrial technical training for the state of Kansas and the nation.
  • The college promotes scholarship and creativity in the application of advanced technology by providing a resource for applied research and consultation to support industry.
  • The college maintains strong industrial relationships through cooperative education, student placement, resource generation, and curricular review and development.
  • The college meets its mandate to provide statewide leadership in technical teacher education.
  • The college provides an educational environment which utilizes experiential and academic processes to prepare students for technical and professional careers and in their professional lives.

Commitment to Industry and Education

The College of Technology fulfills the university's commitment to assist American industry in the era of high technology growth by providing qualified graduates in the entire technological spectrum from the technician to the professional manager and applied designer/researcher.  The college fulfills its teacher education mission by providing highly competitive teachers of technology for public schools from middle school through the university, for technical and vocational schools and institutions and for industrial trainers-teachers in industry world wide.

The close industrial ties lead to outstanding opportunities for Co-Op work while students are enrolled and an exceptional placement record for graduates.