Washburn Tech celebrates the grand opening of its North Topeka campus

Topeka, Kan. - Washburn University Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech) officially opened its new facility in North Topeka during a special celebration on Monday, August 10. Located at 2240 NW Tyler, the campus features a new manufacturing training center to expand educational opportunities that power some of the state's fastest growing industries.

"Meeting the workforce training needs of our city, region and state is mission critical," said Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, president, Washburn University. "Thanks to a shared vision and tremendous support, this state-of-the-art facility will prepare the highly skilled workforce our manufacturing industry needs to continue growing and strengthening the Kansas economy."

Washburn purchased the former Kmart building in North Topeka in December 2024 with plans to transform a portion of the 90,000-square-foot building into a modern training hub for advanced manufacturing programs. Renovations, which began in Spring 2025, were partially funded by $6.25 million from the State of Kansas, including appropriations funding and a grant funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Training equipment for these programs is being purchased with $1.6 million in federal funding.

"Washburn is incredibly grateful for the partnership and commitment of our state and federal lawmakers, who secured funding to make this project possible," said Mazachek. "Their investment of public dollars, combined with generous private support, has created new educational opportunities for students across Northeast Kansas. Together, these investments strengthen our region by providing business and industry with the skilled workforce they need while preparing students for in-demand, high-paying careers that support families and the communities they call home."

In addition to manufacturing programs such as Industrial Machine/Maintenance Technology and FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing) program, Washburn Tech North will house other programs including Electrical Technology and Cosmetology as well as the Washburn Tech Business and Industry Center. In addition, the new facility will help to address student wait lists created by growing enrollment and increasing interest in technical careers. It also creates a Washburn presence in the northern part of our community.

"The North Topeka community has warmly welcomed us to this vibrant part of the city and we are honored to be a part of it," said Scott Smathers, dean, Washburn Tech. "By consolidating multiple programs to one centralized location, we are able to serve students in a more convenient, cost-effective way. Refurbishing this vacant building allowed us to have more finished space at a lower cost than new construction while giving us more than 20,000 square-feet of additional space for further expansion should the need arise."

Washburn Tech will begin delivering classes at the North Topeka location August 12. The Washburn Tech Academy of Cosmetology opened at the North location in mid-June. Washburn Tech will continue to serve students and deliver programs at the Washburn Tech McPherson Campus, 5724 SW Huntoon, and its East Topeka location at 2014 SE Washington St.

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For further information, contact:
Landon Hall
Assistant Director of Marketing and Community Relations
Telephone: 785-670-2199
Email: [email protected]