Cowley College says National Community College Month concluded in a grandiose fashion today with the signing of the Educate the State Partnership by college Presidents from Friends University, Newman University, Southwestern College, Butler Community College and Cowley. This partnership allows for stronger and more affordable opportunities to secondary education degree seekers; specifically addressing the teacher shortage in Kansas. Like many rural areas, Kansas faces challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified teachers, particularly in remote and underserved areas. The shortage of teachers is often more acute in rural regions due to factors such as lower salaries, limited professional development opportunities, and geographic isolation.