By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Last week, Barton Community College President Dr. Marcus Garstecki was able to present a plaque to Vice President of Instruction Elaine Simmons for celebrating 40 years of working at the college in Great Bend. It worked out that Simmons would receive another award last week as Kansas State University presented her with the Transfer Partner Award.
"Simmons spearheaded the development of the first-ever articulation agreement between Barton's dietary manager program and K-State's program," said Garstecki. "That laid the foundation for many other transfer pathways that have been developed since then."
K-State’s Transfer Partner Award recognizes a community college advisor, faculty, staff or administration member who has supported transfer students and has been an advocate for K-State.
Since 2008, Simmons has seen more than 1,000 Barton students transfer to K-State to pursue online-degree programs.
"While I was the fortunate person to receive the plaque, that is truly a college award," said Simmons. "There is much yet to be done as we try to smooth out the two-plus-two opportunities for students."
The 2+2 programs allow students to earn an Associates degree at Barton, and to transfer many of those credits to K-State towards the completion of a Bachelors degree.
As part of the award, Simmons receives funding to attend a K-State transfer summit in October 2025. Barton Community College will also receive a $1,000 Educator’s Choice Award to be given as a scholarship to an incoming transfer student to K-State in the fall 2025.