Cowley College Construction Trades Students Partner with Habitat for Humanity on Local Home Build

Cowley College’s Construction Trades program is taking classroom learning to the next level by partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Arkansas City to help build a home for a local family.

The project, which broke ground on September 18th, will provide a forever home for the Knight family. Habitat for Humanity, a Christian organization dedicated to building affordable housing, is leading the effort with support from community partners including Cowley College students.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience while giving back to the community,” said Zack Rozell, Cowley College Construction Trades instructor and newly elected Vice President of Habitat for Humanity of Ark City. “We don’t just want to build birdhouses—we want to build real houses. Projects like this allow our students to see the real-world impact of their skills.”

Cowley’s Construction Trades students, totaling 20–25 across morning and afternoon classes, will begin by building the rough openings for all doors and windows in the program’s shop before transporting them to the build site. Depending on scheduling, students may also assist with forming and pouring the home’s foundation. Once the pad is in place, the team will move quickly toward framing, with the goal of having the home “dried in” before winter break.

In addition to construction experience, students will gain valuable lessons about service and community impact. “It’s important for them to see how beneficial and fulfilling it is to help others,” Rozell said.

The Knight family will soon have a safe, stable place to call home thanks to the combined efforts of Habitat for Humanity, local businesses, and Cowley College students.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu