McPHERSON, Kan. (March 26, 2026) — As Kansas faces growing demand for skilled professionals in advanced manufacturing, Central Christian College of Kansas (CCCK) is launching a new Manufacturing Technology degree pathway designed to strengthen the state’s workforce while developing graduates who combine technical competence with professional character and leadership capacity.
The program will be housed within CCCK’s Bradbury School of Manufacturing & Innovation (BSMI), an academic enterprise established in partnership with the Bradbury Family Foundation. The BSMI serves as the College’s hub for manufacturing and technology education, aligning academic programs with industry needs and CCCK’s mission of providing a Christ-centered education for character.
“We have always believed that strong communities are built not just by industry, but by people of character,” said Diana Bradbury, Chair of the Bradbury Family Foundation. “This initiative creates opportunities for students to gain valuable skills while developing the values and resilience needed to thrive in life and work. We are honored to support a vision that continues the Bradbury tradition of innovation and community investment.”
College leadership emphasized the partnership as a strategic alignment of philanthropy, education, and workforce development. “This partnership reflects a shared commitment to connecting values-based education with real workforce needs,” said Dr. Lenny Favara, President of Central Christian College of Kansas. “Manufacturers across our region are looking for highly trained professionals prepared for modern production environments. This initiative is designed to meet that need. We are grateful to the Bradbury Family Foundation for helping make it possible.”
Regional leaders also underscored the importance of the initiative.
“McPherson County has long been a manufacturing leader in Kansas, and the creation of the Bradbury School of Manufacturing & Innovation is a significant step forward,” said Dawn Loving, Board President of the McPherson Industrial Development Company. “Aligning credentials and degrees with employer needs strengthens the workforce pipeline and supports long-term growth across Central Kansas. This is the kind of collaboration that drives meaningful economic development.”
Complementing the academic program, work will soon begin on the Manufacturing Education Center of Kansas (MECH Center), a facility designed to support both credit and workforce training. The Center will include advanced labs for machining, automation, design, and hands-on technical training. Together, BSMI and the MECH Center form a coordinated system connecting education, industry, and workforce development.
The Manufacturing Technology pathway responds directly to workforce needs in automation, production systems, precision machining, and process optimization, while also developing essential professional skills such as reliability, communication, and problem-solving. Designed with multiple entry points, the program allows students to begin with industry-recognized certifications and progress through stackable credentials to an associate degree and ultimately a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Technology, gaining hands-on experience aligned with employer expectations and regional workforce demand at each stage.
More information about the Manufacturing Technology degree and the Bradbury School of Manufacturing & Innovation is available at www.centralchristian.edu/academics/manufacturing/
