KCTCS

Happy Birthday to our favorite explorer, Pathfinder! 🎈🎂 From cheering on students to helping them blaze their own trail, Pathfinder brings big energy, even bigger heart, and some serious school spirit to our colleges. 💙🐾

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Samuel Todd Brand on being named president of Big Sandy Community and Technical College, effective August 1! 🎉 Dr. Brand brings more than 20 years of experience in community colleges and is deeply committed to student success and workforce development. He has a proven track record of leadership and innovation — from launching new career-focused programs to supporting regional economic growth. We’re excited for what’s ahead! 💙 https://bit.ly/4ooPlhV

We’re honored to share that KCTCS has been named a 2025 Visionary Award winner by Anthology Inc! 🏆 This top recognition celebrates our innovative spirit, authentic collaboration, and unwavering commitment to student success and community engagement. We’re focused on transforming the student journey and building a stronger, more connected Kentucky. A huge thank you to Anthology Inc. for this incredible honor! #KCTCS #VisionaryAward #HigherEd #StudentSuccess #CommunityEngagement #AnthologyTogether

KCTCS is proud to announce the launch of our first-ever Strategic Mental Health Strategy, a systemwide initiative to support the well-being of over 110,000 students. This milestone is the result of strategic collaboration with the The Jed Foundation (JED), Healthy Minds Network , and the Council on Postsecondary Education - and it positions KCTCS as a leader in holistic student success among community colleges. 📊 With 68% of students experiencing symptoms of depression and 86% reporting financial stress, our goal is clear: integrate evidence-based resources, improve access, and foster environments where every student can thrive. "When we prioritize mental health, we pave the way for brighter futures, stronger communities and boundless opportunities," says Ryan Quarles, KCTCS President. This new framework aligns with Kentucky’s broader public health and education goals — and serves as a national model for how community colleges can lead in mental health strategy. 🔗 Learn more about the plan and its impact: https://bit.ly/3H2zDYG

🎉 Meet Kentucky’s 2025 Pathfinder of the Year! 🎉 Doug Wainscott, guidance counselor at Owen County High School, has been honored with the top statewide award from KCTCS for his incredible dedication to student success. 💙🎓 From one-on-one support to opening doors through dual credit opportunities, Doug has been a guiding light for students and a true bridge-builder between high school and college. His partnership with Jefferson Community & Technical College helped students move forward faster—and with confidence. As Doug wraps up his career, this honor celebrates the legacy he leaves behind: generations of students with clearer paths, stronger support, and a belief in their future. 🛤️💫 Congratulations, Doug! 👏 https://bit.ly/46HLxBI #PathfinderOfTheYear #KCTCS #StudentSuccess #OwenCountyHigh #EducationMatters #ThankYouCounselors

Love seeing this kind of investment in workforce development! 👏 Hopkinsville Community College was recently awarded more than $250,000 from the Delta Regional Authority’s Delta Workforce Grant Program to boost hands-on training in electrical, construction, and HVAC technologies. This funding will support students, strengthen the local workforce, and make a real difference in the region. Way to go, HCC! ⚡🛠️❄️ #WorkforceDevelopment #SkilledTrades #CommunityColleges #HCCProud

The KCTCS family is devastated to learn of the loss of one of our own to an act of senseless violence this weekend. Christina was a dedicated student with a passion for helping others. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends as well as with our BCTC community. KCTCS will provide resources to our grieving families and students in the days to come.

What an incredible morning at KCTCS as we stood alongside the Kentucky Public Service Commission to announce the launch of the PSC 811 Damage Prevention Scholarship — a $66,000 annual investment in student success, workforce development, and public safety. 🎉 On behalf of our 16 community and technical colleges, we extend a heartfelt THANK YOU the entire PSC team for their vision, leadership, and generosity. This scholarship isn't just about dollars — it's about opportunity. It helps students gain the hands-on training they need to safely locate underground utility lines, filling vital roles across Kentucky and strengthening communities from the ground up. 💪🏽 As President Ryan Quarles said: “This partnership goes beyond scholarships — it's about strengthening Kentucky’s workforce and investing in our local communities.” From reducing pipeline strikes to building job-ready graduates, this is a shining example of how public agencies and higher education can work together for a safer, stronger Kentucky. 👏 Huge thanks to Hazard Community and Technical College, Boyd CAT, and all who helped make the day memorable — especially our amazing students, the reason we do what we do! 💡 And remember… Call Before You Dig — and come to KCTCS to learn how to dig safely. 😉 #811Scholarship #CallBeforeYouDig #KCTCS #WorkforceReady #PSC #SkilledTrades #PartnershipInAction #KentuckyStrong #FutureOfWork

🏠 History was made last week at Somerset Community College! Kentucky’s first-ever concrete 3D-printed home is now a reality — and it’s changing the game for construction across the U.S. Designed to withstand floods and tornadoes and built at less than half the cost of traditional homes, this innovative house was printed on-site using cutting-edge additive manufacturing — and our students were part of it all! Led by Eric Wooldridge and powered by partnerships with Progress Appalachia, Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County, KY, and RIC, this live event drew a crowd eager to witness the future of homebuilding in action. ���️ Disaster-resilient 💰 Budget-friendly 🔧 Fueled by innovation and hands-on skills SCC and colleges across KCTCS are proud to lead the charge in shaping Kentucky’s future — one printed layer at a time. 👏 Huge thanks to everyone who brought this vision to life. And trust us... this is only the beginning. https://bit.ly/4keaWpP #KCTCS #SCCProud #3DPrintedHome #AdditiveManufacturing #FutureOfConstruction #InnovationStartsHere #KentuckyForward #InnovationInAction

🎓 KCTCS Makes History! 🎉 We’re thrilled to announce an all-time high in graduates and credentials for the 2024-25 academic year — the biggest numbers since our founding in 1997! 👏 24,263 graduates 🎯 44,402 credentials (degrees, diplomas, and certificates) 📈 Record-breaking spring semester with 13,468 grads and 23,313 credentials! These milestones are more than just numbers — they represent hard work, life-changing opportunity, and a brighter future for Kentucky. 💪💙 To our students, faculty, and staff: THANK YOU for making this year unforgettable. Let’s keep building a stronger, smarter, more skilled Kentucky! 🛠️📚 https://bit.ly/3HTSKo4 #KCTCS #GraduateGoals #WorkforceReady #HigherEdWins #KentuckyStrong #FutureReady