"Welfare reform requires welfare recipients to move relatively quickly from dependence to independence," said Michael B. McCall, KCTCS president. "Our colleges provide the education, training and life-skills instruction that are required to succeed in the workplace."

CFC Secretary Viola Miller said the Ready to Work partnership achieves the worthiest ofwelfare reform's objectives: It equips welfare recipients for a better life.

"We don't want to merely encourage families to move from dependence to a subsistence job and then leave them stuck there," Miller said. "We want to erase the limits on how far their effort and aspiration can take them. Education is -- and always has been -- the one sure way to do that."

Ready to Work, now in its third year, serves welfare recipients enrolled at 26 of the 28 colleges in KCTCS. From fall 1999 to fall 2000, those colleges increased their enrollments of welfare recipients by 37 percent.

Ready to Work focuses in part on teaching work skills to students and keeping students in school. The number of Ready to Work students participating in work-study programs increased 96 percent from fall 1999 to fall 2000. Retention of welfare recipients who attend KCTCS campuses averaged 87 percent from the beginning to the end of the fall 2000 semester - that rate exceeded retention rates for all students.

"Having support systems in place is a key to success," McCall said. "That's why our Ready to Work coordinators cooperate closely with Cabinet for Families and Children caseworkers to ensure that welfare recipients who attend our colleges benefit from available services such as financial aid, transportation and child care."

Alesio, of the AAWCC, praised Ready to Work as a statewide program "that addresses the needs of women at various points in their lives - women who are getting back into the workforce, women who don't have the money to do certain things. It's a highly recognized program, a very successful program."

KCTCS includes 28 colleges with 50 campuses. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information on KCTCS, visit www.kctcs.edu.

Candidates for Mayo Technical College director to visit
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PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (March 22, 2001) - The public is invited to meet candidates for the position of director of Mayo Technical College.

The Big Sandy District of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System announced today that the following candidates will meet with various constituencies as part of their interviews for director of the Paintsville campus of Mayo Technical College:

• Bobby W. McCool of Van Lear will be on campus on Friday. McCool is acting director of the college and formerly served as a member of the KCTCS Board of Regents.
  
• Richard A. Margoles of Fairfield, Calif., will be on campus March 30. He is assistant dean of clinical affairs at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
  
• Scott McVittie of Brownsville, Texas, is coming to Mayo on April 2. He is acting director of Tech Prep and manager of technical training at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.

Each candidate will tour Mayo Technical College's Paintsville Campus; the Industrial Technology Center at Hager Hill; and the campus in Pikeville shared by Mayo Technical College and Prestonsburg Community College.

Candidates will meet with representatives of each campus and with members of the Mayo Advisory Board. An open reception will be held for each candidate on his respective date from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Administration Building at the Mayo Technical College main campus, 513 Third St., Paintsville. The public is invited.

The three candidates were nominated through a process that included input from a search committee and KCTCS President Michael B. McCall. A similar process is ongoing to fill the position of director of the Pikeville campus.

McCall will appoint the Mayo director.

Mayo Technical College is one of 28 institutions in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information on KCTCS, visit www.kctcs.edu

Paducah CC President O'Hara announces retirement
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PADUCAH, Ky. (March 12, 2001) - Dr. Leonard F. O'Hara has announced his retirement as president of Paducah Community College.

O'Hara informed Paducah CC faculty and staff this morning that he is leaving the college in September to take an academic sabbatical and to pursue opportunities in consulting on a national level. He declined to be more specific because the details of his career change are still being developed.

"For 10 years, serving as president of Paducah Community College has provided me with a rewarding career opportunity," O'Hara said. "It's just the right time to make a change."

Dr. Michael B. McCall, president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, recognized O'Hara's contributions to Paducah and to the statewide system of two-year colleges.

"Dr. O'Hara has served the college well, a fact that is demonstrated by the strong reviews that Paducah Community College received on its recent accreditation visit," McCall said. A team from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools completed its visit to Paducah CC last week. Community colleges receive such visits every 10 years to renew their accreditation.

Speaking of his tenure at the college, O'Hara said he is proudest that "we have created an extraordinary campus from top to bottom."

"Morale is high; our image is high," he said. "In every measure, our students are more satisfied than students in two-year colleges across the nation. Enrollment is up; we have raised millions of dollars; and we are an exceptional college in every way.

"Our community is very confident in Paducah Community College as a result of our success."

McCall will begin a search to appoint O'Hara's successor.

O'Hara came to Paducah from Florida, where he was vice president and provost of Daytona Beach Community College. He also worked at colleges in Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

O'Hara received his bachelor's degree in biology from Wake Forest University, his master's degree in biology from the University of North Carolina, and his doctorate in higher education from the University of California at Los Angeles.

KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information on KCTCS, visit www.kctcs.edu

Leadership appointed to guide KCTCS student affairs
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 7, 2001) - Michael B. McCall, president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, has announced the appointments of two administrators who will assist in providing leadership for student affairs in KCTCS.

Mary Abrams, former dean of student affairs at Jefferson Community College, has accepted the position of senior system administrator for policy and procedures. Ruth McCleese, former dean and faculty member at Central Kentucky Technical College in Lexington, is now senior system administrator for operations.

Abrams and McCleese will report directly to KCTCS' chancellors, Tony Newberry and Keith W. Bird.

"Dr. Abrams and Ms. McCleese are widely known and respected across our system, and both have performed extraordinary service on special assignment to our information technology project," McCall said. "Each will be in a position to offer leadership, support and service on a broad range of system-level issues to assist in achieving our goal of facilitating the success of students."

McCleese earned her bachelor's degree in business from Morehead State University and her master's in education from the University of Kentucky. She is working on her doctorate in educational administration at UK. The Lexington resident formerly lived in Vanceburg in Lewis County.

Abrams earned her bachelor's degree in speech and drama from Eastern Kentucky University; her master's in guidance and counseling from EKU; and her doctorate in clinical psychology from Spalding University. She is a lifelong resident of Louisville.

KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information on KCTCS, visit www.kctcs.edu KCTCS Regents approve 27 programs for students
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LONDON, Ky. (February 23, 2001) - The Board of Regents of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) on Friday approved 27 academic and technical programs that will expand educational opportunities available to students across the Commonwealth.

The new programs bring to more than 275 the number that the Board of Regents has approved in the last three years.

The regents also appointed the first two presidents of technical colleges in Kentucky, and commended KCTCS President Michael B. McCall for his "outstanding" performance during the year 2000.

The KCTCS Board of Regents conducted its regular meeting at Laurel Technical College in London. On Friday, the regents approved:

"The pace at which our colleges are proposing and the Board of Regents is approving new programs is truly exciting," President McCall said. "By offering programs that are relevant to the job market, KCTCS colleges are changing the lives of students."

"We are expecting continued excellence," said Regent Lorna Littrell of Henderson. "We know we are going to see that."

KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information on KCTCS, visit www.kctcs.edu.

KCTCS offers scholarships to high school seniors/GED recipients
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 16, 2001) - Kentucky high school seniors and GED recipients are eligible to apply for the Governor's Kentucky Technical College Scholarship.

The scholarships, which carry an estimated value of $4,000 each, are awarded based on academic achievement, character excellence and career potential. The full scholarships apply to diploma or degree programs. They cover tuition and fees; equipment such as tools; books; supplies; personal safety equipment; and uniforms.

"Success on the job requires thinking, learning and analytical skills," said Dr. Michael B. McCall, president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, which includes the state's 15 technical colleges. "Success on the job also requires specific, technical skills.

"Students who are looking for a way to change their lives can get the critical-thinking and technical skills they need through the colleges of KCTCS. The programs that we offer in more than 80 general areas - such as health care, computers, construction technology or business - can open up world of opportunities."

In the Governor's Kentucky Technical College Scholarship program, each technical college and each branch campus may offer as many as two scholarships to current high school seniors who will enter college in the 2001-02 academic year. Each main and branch campus also may offer one scholarship to a GED recipient. The scholarships run for the duration of the academic program.

Applications for the scholarships are available from high school guidance counselors or from Kentucky's technical colleges. Here are the main campuses of the technical colleges: Ashland Technical College; Bowling Green Technical College; Central Kentucky Technical College (Lexington); Cumberland Valley Technical College; Elizabethtown Technical College; Hazard Technical College; Jefferson Technical College; Laurel Technical College; Madisonville Technical College; Mayo Technical College; Northern Kentucky Technical College (Covington); Owensboro Technical College; Rowan Technical College; Somerset Technical College; West Kentucky Technical College (Paducah).

The application deadline is March 15.

KCTCS includes 28 colleges with 50 campuses. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; distance learning; and community and cultural activities. For more information visit this web site: www.kctcs.edu.

KCTCS colleges celebrate Black History Month
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 9, 2001) - Community and technical colleges across Kentucky are planning events to celebrate Black History Month, which is February.

"Diversity plays an important role in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System," said Dr. Michael B. McCall, president of KCTCS.

"One of our oldest institutions, West Kentucky Technical College, opened in 1909 as West Kentucky Industrial College for African-Americans. African-Americans are central to both the legacy and the future of KCTCS colleges."

Here is a list of events for the remainder of February that will honor Black History Month. For more information, contact your local community or technical college.

Month Long

Institution: Southeast Community College

Event: SOUL FOOD FOR THE SOUL

Institution: Hopkinsville Community College

Events: •BLACK TRIVIA BOWL PLAQUES

•BLACK POETRY READINGS

•ETHNIC LUNCHEON

February 9

Event: Black History month lecture

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Nashid Fakhrid-Deen

Time: 9 a.m.

Place: MLK Academy, Lexington

February 10

Institution: Paducah Community College

Event: RED AND WHITE BALL

Cost: $10 per couple

Time: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Place: Cherry Civic Center

February 13

Institution: Paducah Community College

Event: ALVIN AILEY DANCERS

Additional information: (270) 554-9200 ext. 6216

Cost: $15 for adults and $8 for children and students

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Place: Fine Arts Theatre

Institution: Southeast Community College

Event: LEARNING LOCK-IN

Ages: 5-18 years

February 15

Institution: Paducah Community College

Event: Black History month exchange

Place: Paducah Tilghman High School

Institution: Prestonsburg Community College

Event: PROFESSOR DOUGLAS HERMAN talks on "Don't You Be Cookin' My Head: A Northern White in a Black Southern College"

Time: 1 p.m.

Place: Prestonsburg CC Art Gallery

February 16

Institution: Somerset Community College

Event: JAZZ CONCERT featuring Ron Jones

Time: 7:30 p.m.

February 17

Institution: Paducah Community College

Event: GOSPEL CONCERT featuring "Ascension" of Louisville

Time: 6 p.m.

Place: Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 1201 S. 8th St.

February 22

Institution: West Kentucky Technical College

Event: Evening of Art and Culture

Time: 7 to 9 p.m.

Event: Black History month program

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Nashid Fakhrid-Deen of KCTCS

Time: 11 a.m.

Place: VA Hospital on UK Campus

February 25

Institution: Paducah Community College

Event: Celebrating Black History Month

Keynote Speaker: Paula McGee

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Fine Arts Theatre

February 28

Institution: Paducah Community College

Event: Portrayal of Ms. Dinnie Thompson

Cost: Free Admission

Time: 11 a.m.

Place: Fine Arts Theatre

Institution: Bowling Green Technical College

Event: Black History month lecture

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Nashid Fakhrid-Deen of KCTCS

Time: 9 a.m.

Place: Bowling Green High School

KCTCS includes 28 colleges with 50 campuses. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; distance learning; and community and cultural activities. For more information visit this web site: www.kctcs.edu

Mayo Technical College employees support KCTCS enrollment effort
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KCTCS colleges around the state are issuing news releases similar to this.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 7, 2001) - As part of a statewide effort to recruit new students and retain existing ones in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), Five representatives of Mayo Technical College and Prestonsburg Community College recently attended a workshop that focused on student retention.

KCTCS sponsored the three-day workshop, which featured such topics as promoting student success, strategies for student retention, effective teaching strategies, and best practices in student retention.

The workshop was part of a year-long partnership with the Noel-Levitz consulting firm to enhance comprehensive enrollment management strategies for the 28 colleges that compose KCTCS. Presenters included nationally known experts on retention such as John Roueche, of the University of Texas, and Vincent Tinto, of Syracuse University.

Another presenter was Gordon Davies, president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Davies highlighted the role that KCTCS is playing in helping Kentucky to raise its standard of living to the national average by the year 2020.

"For every 20 students in the 9th grade, only 14 make it through high school," Davies said. "Of these, only seven go on to some form of postsecondary education, and only three who enroll in Kentucky's public universities have graduated six years later.

"This is an enormous waste of human capital. Worse, it is a waste of individual human lives. KCTCS is taking the lead to ensure that every Kentuckian has opportunities to study and learn after high school. We can't afford to waste lives."

To date, the KCTCS effort to increase participation in postsecondary education is a success, said President Michael B. McCall. The colleges increased enrollment from less than 46,000 in fall 1999 to more than 52,000 in fall 2000.

"That tells us how well we have begun to address this issue," McCall told KCTCS faculty and staff who attended the workshop from January 30-February 1 in Lexington. "And we are not just chasing numbers - we are creating educational opportunities for the citizens of Kentucky."

The approximately 100 people who attended the workshop included Mary Suzanne White, Big Sandy District Enrollment Management Coordinator and a nursing instructor at Mayo Technical College, accompanied by Mazola Salmons, Monnette Sturgill, Joe Sutton, and Tom Vierheller from Prestonsburg Community College.

Bobby McCool, Interim Director of Mayo Technical College, commented, "I am so proud of the work done by Suzi White and her team to increase retention and enrollment on all of the Big Sandy campuses. The united efforts of all of the staff members is making a difference in the number of students who enroll in classes and stay with the program."

The student retention session was one of a series of workshops that KCTCS and Noel-Levitz have conducted over the last year. One of the outcomes is that each of the 16 districts in KCTCS has written a comprehensive enrollment management plan.

McCall praised the contributions that KCTCS faculty and staff have made to system efforts to double enrollment by the year 2020.

"You are a very valuable participant as we move forward in this campaign," McCall said. KCTCS includes 28 colleges with 50 campuses. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; distance learning; and community and cultural activities. For more information visit this web site: www.kctcs.edu

Week focuses on value of career and technical education
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FRANKFORT, Ky. (February 8, 2001) - Institutions across the Commonwealth are celebrating the value of occupational education during Career and Technical Education Week, which Governor Paul E. Patton has proclaimed as February 11-17.

The theme of Career and Technical Education Week is "Want Career Success? Get Career Skills." The event is sponsored by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the state Cabinet for Workforce Development, the state Department of Education, and the Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education.

Technical education assists Kentuckians in making the transition from school to the workplace, Patton said. "Technical education training initiatives supply the Commonwealth with a versatile, well-educated and well-trained workforce," the governor said.

KCTCS and its colleges celebrate career and technical education in a variety of ways:

• Nominations will be accepted soon for the Governor's Kentucky Technical College Scholarship, which finances students' educations at technical colleges in Kentucky. Interested high school students should see their guidance counselors for more information.
• KCTCS students will join Governor Patton on Monday for a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda that will kick off Career and Technical Education Week.
• Central Kentucky Technical College in Lexington has invited counselors to the college to expose them to the benefits of technical education.
• Somerset Technical College is bringing students to campus in a School-to-Work shadowing experience.
• Ashland Community College and Ashland Technical College are jointly hosting a career-skills open house.
• Henderson Community College sponsors a health careers job fair.
• Laurel Technical College schedules an open house.

Almost 400,000 Kentuckians - from middle school students through adults - participate in the state's career and technical education programs. They may be studying business education at a high school, learning technical skills at secondary vocational school campus, or receiving computer network instruction at a community or technical college. Programs focus on such areas as computer technology, construction technology, agriculture, automotive and machine repair, family and consumer sciences, and health services.

"Success on the job requires thinking, learning and analytical skills," Governor Patton said. "Success on the job requires the ability to adapt -- the average person will change careers five to seven times in his or her lifetime.

"Students and adults who need new skills can get the instruction and opportunities through Kentucky's network of career and technical education programs."

KCTCS includes 28 colleges with 50 campuses. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; distance learning; and community and cultural activities. For more information visit this web site: www.kctcs.edu <http://www.kctcs.edu>.

Ashland Technical College director takes new position
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ASHLAND, Ky. (February 6, 2001) - Richard Kendall, director of Ashland Technical College, is moving to a new position in the Ashland District of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

Dr. Michael B. McCall, president of KCTCS, announced Kendall's appointment on Monday during a meeting with Ashland Technical College faculty and staff. Kendall's responsibilities will include:

• Assisting Carl Barnett, interim chief executive officer of the KCTCS Ashland District, during the start-up phase of the district. The district comprises Ashland Technical College and Ashland Community College, of which Barnett is interim president.

Ultimately, a permanent CEO will lead the district. KCTCS is accepting applications for the joint position of CEO of the Ashland District/president of Ashland Community College.

"The new CEO should be on board by July 1," McCall said. "In the meantime, Mr. Kendall's role at the district level will be to assist in advancing the consolidation of functions, services and programs in the two colleges."

• Coordinating development of the ATC facility at EastPark industrial park. KCTCS is planning a $10.4 million facility that will replace and expand upon the existing technical college campus on Roberts Drive.

Kendall will be responsible for promoting collaboration among ATC, the Ashland District and the System Office on such issues as design of the facility, selection of academic and technical programs, and acquisition of instructional equipment.

• Monitoring the technical college's re-accreditation process. The college is preparing for an official visit from its accreditation agency, the Council on Occupational Education.

McCall said that the new president of ACC/CEO of the Ashland District will appoint the permanent leadership of the technical college. Until that time, Barnett will supply leadership at the technical college as well as at the community college.

Also, KCTCS Chancellor Keith W. Bird will work with Barnett to guide a team that will provide day-to-day management of the technical college.

The management team will consist of the college's deans and division chairs and will receive input from faculty and staff. "Ashland Technical College will embody the team-based leadership that KCTCS values," Bird said.

Barnett said he will maintain office space in the technical college as well as in the community college. He told technical college faculty and staff that he will be accessible to them and will work to build mutual trust and appreciation.

"I will be here on a moment's notice," he said.

Kendall, a former electricity and electronics teacher, had served as director of the technical institution for seven years. He said he was emotional about leaving the position and "such fine friends."

But, he said, "I am excited about the opportunity."

Ashland CC and TC are two of 28 colleges in KCTCS. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; distance learning; and community and cultural activities. For more information visit this web site: www.kctcs.edu.

KCTCS leads development of manufacturing skill standards Top

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 6, 2001) -- The Kentucky Community and Technical College System has partnered with employers and state agencies to develop a program that certifies skills that business and industry need from employees.

KCTCS President Michael B. McCall recently joined Kentucky Governor Paul Patton, Associated Industries of Kentucky and the Kentucky Manufacturing Skill Standards Super Consortium to launch the Kentucky Manufacturing Skill Standards certification program.

Developed by business and industry, the certification program matches employer needs with education and training to strengthen economic and workforce development in the Commonwealth.

"The standards developed by Kentucky are expected to become a national model," Governor Patton said. "But more importantly, together with business and industry, we've created a significant economic and workforce development tool that will reap benefits for years to come."

In today's rapidly changing and globally competitive business environment, all companies need workers with proven skills, said KCTCS President McCall.

"Kentucky Manufacturing Skill Standards, a business-driven effort, demonstrate that Kentucky partners with businesses to determine exactly what is needed in today's workplace," Dr. McCall said. "This puts Kentucky in the unique position of having standards developed by business and industry rather than for them."

The skill standards project was developed through a partnership among several Kentucky agencies and institutions, including KCTCS, which funded one-fourth of the development costs. KCTCS received grants from Toyota Motor Manufacturing and Bluegrass State Skills Corp. (which is attached to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development) to develop instructional materials to assist people in meeting the standards.

Adoption of the standards enhances the ability of the Cabinet for Economic Development to attract new businesses as well as to assist existing industries in retaining and expanding their workforces. The skill standards provide a benchmark to be used by KCTCS and secondary schools in developing education and training programs that lead to jobs for Kentuckians.

KCTCS is playing the lead role in development of curriculum and implementation of the standards and is responsible for testing of adults and company employees. The skill standards are a key part of the overall workforce development strategy of KCTCS.

Kentucky's education community is incorporating the manufacturing skill standards into appropriate curricula so that graduates of technical programs are ready for careers in manufacturing. As manufacturing employees receive assessments, training and curricula can be customized to target the needs of the individual.

Although initially focusing on manufacturing, nearly all of the skill standards are transferable across industry and business sectors.

KCTCS and the Kentucky Department for Technical Education intend to align their manufacturing programs to the skill standards and will encourage students to attain appropriate certifications.

KCTCS provides technical education through 28 community and technical colleges across Kentucky. The Department for Technical Education consists of 52 secondary vocational schools associated with public high schools.

The Kentucky Department of Education has distributed the standards to all 176 public school districts and has encouraged schools to incorporate the standards into existing curricula as well as to use them to develop programs.

"The development of these standards has been business-driven from the start," said Associated Industries of Kentucky Vice President Vince Senior, a former plant manager for Reynolds Metals in Kentucky and Virginia. "Look beyond the manufacturing emphasis and you'll see that these are skills any employer would like."

KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; distance learning; and community and cultural activities. For more information on KCTCS, visit www.kctcs.edu.

For more information on the skill standards, visit this web site: www.aik.org/kmss.html.

HCC and HTC employees participate in KCTCS project
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KCTCS colleges are issuing news releases similar to this.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Several representatives of Hazard Community and Technical colleges attended a meeting that launched a major effort by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) to fulfill its mission to improve the quality of life and employability of the citizens of the Commonwealth.

KCTCS President Michael B. McCall hosted the meeting, which was attended by 350 faculty and staff from across the system. The meeting focused on the system's RSVP project, which stands for Responsive Solutions through Vigorous Planning.

The RSVP project calls for teams at all levels of the system to work together to achieve the KCTCS Strategic Plan, which envisions "by the year 2020 a comprehensive community and technical college system recognized as the nation's best."

The following faculty and staff from Hazard Community and Technical colleges attended the Jan. 24 meeting, which was held in Lexington.

From HCC: G. Edward Hughes, Dr. R. Kathy Smoot, Doug Fraley, Julia B. Mitchell, Fred Landrum, Evelyn Wood, Steve Jones, Donna Combs, Vickie Combs, Carla Seals, Keila Young, Lisa Maggard, Donna Roark.

From HTC: Mike Dixon, Janice Fuller, Renee Clevenger, Harlan Davidson, William Pace, Don Castle, and Diana Walker.

"We at HCC and HTC will be participating in the system's leadership program and we will institute parts of it on our campuses. Strategic planning that involves everyone at the colleges has been part of our operations for over a decade. We have found it to be a valuable way to build consensus among employees as to the mission and goals of the colleges," noted G. Edward Hughes, HCC president and HTC's CEO.

President McCall emphasized that the RSVP project is designed to ensure that employees have opportunities to participate in making decisions about how KCTCS will serve the Commonwealth.

"I believe strongly in the team concept," McCall said, "keeping in mind that we must be accountable, and that serving students is the bottom line."

McCall said that employees at every level will have an opportunity to participate, and that training will be provided to assist employees in serving as effective team members.

KCTCS includes 28 colleges with 50 campuses. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; distance learning; and community and cultural activities. For more information on the KCTCS Strategic Plan, visit <http://www.kctcs.edu/newspublications/strategicplan.htm

Increases in assistance create opportunities for students at KCTCS colleges
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Note to editors: For more information on financial aid opportunities for students, contact the student services office at your local community or technical college.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 26, 2001) - Significant increases in federal funding will expand opportunities for students to succeed in two-year colleges, said Dr. Michael B. McCall, president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).

Congress recently approved and then-President Clinton signed the fiscal year 2001 appropriations bill that funds the U.S. Department of Education, among other programs. The legislation includes an 18 percent increase in federal funding for education.

KCTCS, which comprises 28 community and technical colleges, is in line to receive comparable funding increases in a variety of programs, such as tuition grants, assistance for low-income students, and aid for workforce training and adult education.

"In this centennial year of two-year colleges in America, it is appropriate that Congress and the president stepped up to the plate to provide funding that will assist our colleges in being even more responsive and accessible to students," McCall said.

"In KCTCS, our mission is to change the lives of students, but education occurs one student at a time. These significant funding increases give us ample opportunities to serve the needs of students."

The appropriations bill included a $450 increase in the Pell Grant, bringing the maximum to $3,750. In the last six years, the Pell Grant maximum has increased $1,410, or 60 percent.

The Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Generally, Pell grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree.

Here are other highlights of the appropriations bill that will increase opportunities for students:

• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants -- $691 million, an increase of 9.5 percent. These grants are available to students who demonstrate exceptional need and are progressing toward a degree.
  
• Work study -- $1 billion, up 8.2 percent. This program provides jobs for undergraduates and graduate students who have financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service and work related to the student's course of study.
  
• TRIO programs -- $730 million, up 13.2 percent. The TRIO programs are designed to identify promising students (Talent Search), prepare them to do college level work (Upward Bound), and provide tutoring and support services once they reach campus (Student Support Services).
  
• GEAR UP -- $295 million, up 47.5 percent. GEAR UP is aimed at encouraging schools, colleges, universities, and community-based organizations to help low-income students stay in school, develop study skills, take appropriate college-prep courses, and have high aspirations to pursue collegiate-level studies.
  
• Campus child care grants -- $25 million, up 400 percent.

For more information on financial assistance for students at KCTCS community and technical colleges, call 1-877-KCTCS-4U, ext. 1309, or contact the campus nearest you.

KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; distance learning; and community and cultural activities. For more information on KCTCS, visit www.kctcs.edu.

Workforce development entities promote assessment system
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FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 19, 2001) - Six Kentucky communities and a youth program are piloting a job profiling and employee assessment system intended to develop workplace skills in demand by employers.

The pilots are sponsored by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and the Cabinet for Workforce Development through funding from Gov. Paul Patton's EMPOWER Kentucky initiative. The pilots are using the Work Keys system, widely employed in the private sector to analyze jobs and assess employee skill levels. Work Keys is a product of ACT Inc., a nonprofit organization best known for the ACT college entrance exam.

"As employers assess what they need from employees, skill sets are becoming increasingly important. Businesses need employees who can function well in a high-performance organization, and our partnership with state government in the Work Keys project will help develop those types of employees," said Dr. Michael B. McCall, KCTCS president.

"The Cabinet for Workforce Development provides a connection between Kentuckians looking for jobs and employers who need qualified applicants," said cabinet Secretary Allen D. Rose. "Work Keys gives us an excellent tool for making these connections. It also identifies areas in which individuals need to upgrade their skills for jobs they aspire to."

The pilots are underway in Covington, Hazard, Henderson, Lexington, Richmond and

Somerset and in the Kentucky Youth Challenge program. The system works like this:

An assessment scores people's skills in one or more of eight areas (applied math and technology, listening, locating information, observation, reading, teamwork and writing).

Jobs are analyzed for the skill levels necessary to perform the work in the same eight areas. In addition to profiles of specific jobs, Work Keys provides a database of levels needed for hundreds of different types of jobs.

The employee or applicant then has targeted instruction to improve skills in particular areas.

EMPOWER Kentucky has provided $400,000 to cover the costs of assessment and instructional materials, an evaluation of the pilots and training on using the Work Keys system. The instructional materials, developed specifically to align with the Work Keys system, are being supplied by Worldwide Interactive Network (WIN) from Kingston, Tenn.

For more information about the Work Keys system, employers can contact Donna Davis of KCTCS at (859) 246-3100 or Nancy Laprade of the Cabinet for Workforce Development at (502) 564-6606.

LIST OF LOCAL AGENCIES AND CONTACTS

Covington: Northern Kentucky Technical College, Angie Taylor, (859) 292-3930

Hazard: Hazard Community College, Keila Young, (606) 436-5721 ext. 8063

Henderson: Henderson Community College, Meg Burnley, (270) 830-5304

Lexington: Bluegrass Area Development District, Suzanne Rogers, (859) 269-8021

Richmond: Eastern Kentucky University, Lucy Nelson and Richard Tussey, (859) 622-2961

Somerset: Somerset Technical College, David Wiles, (606) 677-4049; Somerset Community College, David Cazalet, (606) 679-8301; Department for Adult Education and Literacy, Billy Crabtree, (270) 746-7461 ext. 2149

Kentucky Youth Challenge: Bryce Shumate, (502) 624-3387

Postsecondary Education Key Aspect of Governor's Conference on Latin America
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 4, 2001) - Postsecondary education institutions are playing a key role in an upcoming conference designed to foster economic, education and cultural links between Kentucky and Latin America.

The Governor's Conference on Latin America is scheduled for Monday through Wednesday, Jan. 8-10, at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville. Conference hosts are Gov. Paul E. Patton and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

"We have always viewed education as the most vital component of building a successful future for the Commonwealth," Patton said. "This conference will offer opportunities for our academic community to explore existing relationships, as well as foster new connections between Kentucky and Latin America in the area of education."

Education-related topics that will be addressed include workforce training, distance learning, communication and language issues, and joint ventures between Kentucky and Latin American institutions.

The Council on Postsecondary Education, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the Kentucky Virtual University, and public and private colleges and universities are supporting the education sessions of the Conference on Latin America.

"Postsecondary education is integral to the conference at several levels," said Gordon Davies, president of the Council on Postsecondary Education.

"First, the expertise in our institutions in areas such as business, agriculture, government, and international relations directly helps Kentucky create partnerships with Latin American businesses and governments. Second, our educational programs are themselves a product we can export," Davies said.

"Also, as economic partnerships evolve, Kentuckians must be prepared to take advantage of them. The education system plays an important role in providing the communication and workplace skills needed to work effectively with Latin American partners. "

Michael B. McCall, president of KCTCS, said that's where institutions such as community and technical colleges fit into the Kentucky/Latin American partnership.

"Kentuckians will need solid workplace skills to participate in global partnerships," said McCall, a presenter at the conference. "Through economic development and higher education partnerships, KCTCS can assist in the development of that capacity."

Here are Conference on Latin America sessions on education scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 9, and Wednesday, Jan. 10:

• 9:45 a.m. Tuesday: "The Latin American Link: Strengthening Economic and Educational Ties." Speaker: Francisco Marmolejo, Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration
• 11:15 a.m. Tuesday: "Virtually Across the Americas: Kentucky Virtual University Offers a Mexican Connection." Speakers: Mary Beth Susman and Randolph Hollingsworth, Kentucky Virtual University; Carlos Cruz, Monterrey Tech, Mexico.
• 1:30 p.m. Tuesday: "Communication and Cultural Issues." Speaker: Cecile Garmon, Western Kentucky University (invited).
• 3 p.m. Tuesday: "Kentucky WINS - Responding to Business/Industry Needs for a Trained Workforce." Speakers: Michael B. McCall, president, and Keith W. Bird, chancellor, Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
• 9:30 a.m. Wednesday: "Linking by Degrees: Joint University Degree Programs between Kentucky and Latin America." Speakers: Carolyn Rude-Parkins, Bill Biles, University of Louisville; and Karen Adams, Western Kentucky University.
• 10:45 a.m. Wednesday: "Forging Ahead: Kentucky's Universities Preparing for a Latin American Future." Panel discussion: Michael Klembara, Northern Kentucky University; Curt Harvey, University of Kentucky; David Simpson, University of Louisville; Milton Grimes, Murray State University; Aris Cedeno, University of Louisville (invited).

The Governor's Conference on Latin America will feature speakers who are representatives from the manufacturing, service provider, agriculture, travel and tourism, education and local government communities. The conference will allow Kentuckians to learn about opportunities that are available in Latin America, which is the fastest-growing market for Kentucky's good and services.

For more information, visit this web site: http://www.kentucky-latinamerica.net/

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 8, 2000) - Christmas morning will dawn a little brighter for 32 children of welfare recipients because of the generosity of employees of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).

In its "William's Toys" drive this year, the KCTCS System Office in Lexington collected about 300 new toys, ranging from games to sports equipment to dolls. The second-annual drive is named in honor of William Tichenor, 15-month-old son of KCTCS employee Debbie Tichenor. William drowned in a boating accident in summer 1999.

The KCTCS System Office distributed the toys on Thursday to 18 welfare recipients who attend the Lexington, Danville and Lawrenceburg campuses of Central Kentucky Technical College, a KCTCS institution. The women came to the System Office on Ironworks Pike to select toys, which they will give to their children for Christmas.

The Central Kentucky TC students are enrolled in the Ready-to-Work program, a joint project between KCTCS and the Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children that uses education and support services to prepare welfare recipients for the world of work.

Lisa Gibson of Lexington came to KCTCS to look for toys for her sons Richard, 7, and Adrian, 3. Gibson, who went on the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program two years ago after leaving her husband, is working in a co-op position this semester in the Lexington Herald-Leader print shop as she finishes her associate degree program in printing technology.

Before Gibson heard about the "William's Toys" drive from Deborah Vantrees, the Ready-to-Work coordinator at Central Kentucky TC, Christmas promised to be lean this year.

"My oldest son, he's into wrestling," said Gibson, who picked up wrestling toys for Richard and a yellow Tonka truck for Adrian. "My baby, he thinks it's Christmas every day.

"They're going to be overwhelmed. It's going to be a beautiful Christmas."

Dr. Michael B. McCall, president of KCTCS, said the "William's Toys" drive allows the system's employees to give something to their community while recognizing "a very special young man, William Tichenor."

"Christmas is for children and families," McCall said. "While our Ready-to-Work program is moving welfare recipients and their families toward long-term self- sufficiency, the journey isn't easy. We hope that the toys donated by our employees will make Christmas a little more enjoyable along the way."

William's mother, Debbie, is computer network administrator for the KCTCS System Office, which has about 135 employees.

William's father, Carey, works for the Kentucky Department of Parks, which also is participating in the toy drive. The Tichenors live in Anderson County.

Other agencies and institutions collecting toys for distribution include Jefferson Community College, a KCTCS institution; the Governor's Office for Policy and Management; the Council on Postsecondary Education; and the Game Farm in Frankfort.

The toys at the KCTCS System Office that didn't go to families on welfare will be distributed through Toys for Tots.

KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information on KCTCS, visit www.kctcs.edu.

Community and Technical College Coordination:
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Cornerstone to Kentucky's Economic Success

By Ken Oilschlager
President, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

For people who don't play a role in Kentucky's educational system, the link between education and business success may not be readily apparent. For those of us who spend time trying to grow awareness of education's link to success at work, it's as easy as a simple math equation: inspire a life-long love of learning, add it to broad and diverse educational opportunities, and the sum will be individual and organizational success stories.

The institutions of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) are essential to this equation in Kentucky -- gateways to a more prosperous future for Kentucky citizens and key players in Kentucky's economic future.

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce supported the original design of KCTCS as the best way to help our community and technical colleges flourish. It set the stage for improved coordination and afforded the community and technical colleges opportunities to combine individual strengths. It also allowed the entire system to be a full partner in determining how best to meet Kentucky's broad spectrum of educational needs.

Today, the equation appears to be working. In every corner of the Commonwealth, thanks to KCTCS and the individual institutions that comprise it, access to education and training has been improved and with it has come the increased realization that "Education Pays." We can already tell that the whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts. The institutions that comprise the KCTCS system have demonstrated that they can:

• Provide services that match geographic and individual needs.
  
  

• Offer the flexibility that allows innovation and creativity all along the education process.
  
  

• Respond quickly to changing needs of students and businesses.

For the Chamber, among the most promising, unexpected outcomes of the new structure is the strengthened dialog that has been established between KCTCS and secondary education institutions. Additionally, KCTCS as a system now has a seat at the big table, representing the interests of each local institution in ways individual colleges cannot. The KCTCS system makes the dialog possible; the individual institutions will make it happen.

Business and industry will be the benefactors of a postsecondary education system that is broad based, integrated and coordinated. Statewide collaboration among individual institutions is truly the best way to meet the collective needs of Kentucky individuals and businesses.

The Kentucky Chamber remains committed to supporting actions that will enhance the ability of our education systems to deliver the best and brightest for work in our business community. We will know we have reached that goal when Kentucky is a recognized player in the "new economy."

When the Kentucky Chamber supported the KCTCS model, we concluded it would enhance communication between systems, grow opportunities to meet diverse educational needs, and ultimately improve service delivery. The results add up to more than we expected. KCTCS is innovative, responsive and, for the vast majority of Kentucky citizens, has opened doors they never knew existed.

The ultimate success of KCTCS will be realized when the public at large acknowledges an even playing field between four-year institutions and those that comprise KCTCS; when students can easily transfer credits between all Kentucky postsecondary institutions; and when the dialog between educational systems at every level creates the outcomes that match the changing demands of private and public sector employers. We're making extraordinary progress through KCTCS.

KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information on KCTCS, visit www.kctcs.edu.

KCTCS Regents accept financial audit, approve programs
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EDGEWOOD, Ky. (Dec. 1, 2000) - The Board of Regents of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System on Friday accepted the second consecutive "clean" financial audit of KCTCS.

The regents, meeting at Northern Kentucky Technical College-Edgewood Campus, heard a report from Deloitte & Touche, which conducted the audit of the system's financial processes for the 1999-2000 fiscal year.

"It's a clean, unqualified auditor's report," said Jim Carpenter, a partner in Deloitte & Touche.

The auditor issued a similar report after the 1998-99 fiscal year, the first year that KCTCS was audited. Deloitte & Touche praised the cooperation it received from the KCTCS financial staff.

"We are tickled that we got a clean report, and I am very happy that you found Dr. McCall (KCTCS President Michael B. McCall) and his staff to be so responsive," said Richard Bean, of Louisville, chairman of the Board of Regents' Finance, Administration and Technology Committee.

Also, at the board's regular meeting, the regents approved new associate degree programs that will be offered at four colleges, and certificate programs for five colleges:

• Associate degrees in applied technology (AAT) in automotive technology and radiography at Bowling Green Technical College.
• Associate degree in applied science (AAS) in diesel technology at Cumberland Valley Technical College.
• AAS in law enforcement technology at Laurel Technical College and Somerset Technical College (a joint program).
• Certificate program in Cisco Systems Inc. basic computer networking, Ashland Technical College.
• Certificate in Cisco basic networking at Northern Kentucky Technical College.
• Six certificate programs in computer studies at Elizabethtown Community College.
• Six certificates in computer studies at Hazard Community College.
• Certificate in culinary arts at Jefferson Community College.

"This action means that our Board of Regents has approved more than 250 certificate, diploma and degree programs since KCTCS was created three years ago," President McCall said. "The pace at which the system has created new programs is a credit to the efforts of our colleges to serve the needs of their communities."

In other action Friday, the regents:

• Endorsed the creation of 16 districts to improve the operations of the 28 colleges in KCTCS.
• Authorized McCall to develop a proposal for submission to the Council on Postsecondary Education to extend local board governance to the three college districts that include technical colleges but no community colleges - Northern Kentucky, Central Kentucky and Bowling Green. The other 13 KCTCS districts include community colleges, which already have such boards of directors.

KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information on KCTCS, visit www.kctcs.edu.

KCTCS Board of Regents to meet in Northern Kentucky on Dec. 1
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 27, 2000) - The Board of Regents of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) will meet at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Northern Kentucky Technical College-Edgewood Campus, 790 Thomas More Parkway.

Board committees will meet from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at the same location. The Board of Regents will conduct a workshop on finance at 4 p.m. on Thursday.

Here is the agenda for the full board meeting on Friday:

Call to Order and Press Notification

Roll Call
Introduction of Guests
College Presentation
Approval of September 16, 2000, Minutes
President's Report
Chair's Report

Executive Committee Report

Action: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - KCTCS Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Kentucky

Action: Naming of building

Discussion: College Districts Local Governance Authority

Information: Policy for Naming Districts and Colleges

Academic Affairs and Curriculum Committee Report

Action: Ratification of New Credit Certificate Programs

Action: New Program Proposals

AAT in Automotive Technology, Bowling Green Technical College

AAT in Radiography, Bowling Green Technical College

AAS in Diesel Technology, Cumberland Valley Technical College

AAS in Law Enforcement Technology, Joint Program, Laurel Technical College/Somerset Technical College

Action: Technical Colleges' Candidates for Degrees and Diplomas

Action: Community Colleges' Candidates for Degrees

Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Accountability Committee Report

Finance, Administration, and Technology Committee Report

Action: Ratification of Personnel Actions

Action: Financial Report

Update: Capital Construction Status Report, 1998-2002

Executive Session: KRS 61.810 (1) (c) - Proposed or Pending Litigation

KRS 61.810 (1) (f) - Individual Personnel Matters

Next Meeting - February 22-23, 2001, Laurel Technical College, London

Adjournment

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2000) - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) and its foundation have honored Cisco Systems Inc. and Ashland Inc. as "Benefactors of the Year, 2000."

Gov. Paul E. Patton and Dr. Michael B. McCall, president of the KCTCS, presented the awards at the first annual KCTCS President's Gala and Benefactors Awards Dinner.

Cisco and Ashland headlined a list of 61 individuals, corporations and organizations honored at the event. The other honorees were recognized by colleges in KCTCS.

Private-sector support is vital to the success of KCTCS, McCall said. KCTCS institutions and their respective foundations received $9.8 million in donations in fiscal year 1999-2000.

"The President's Gala and Benefactors Awards Dinner allows KCTCS to express special appreciation for the tremendous private support we receive from individuals, businesses and organizations," McCall said.

KCTCS honored Cisco Systems for donating equipment and other support to help establish academies that teach students to be computer network administrators.

The Cisco Networking Academy program is a partnership among Cisco Systems, education, business, government, and community organizations around the world. The curriculum centers on teaching students to design, build and maintain computer networks. The program prepares students for the 21st century workplace, while serving as a valuable model for electronic learning.

The KCTCS Foundation Inc. honored Ashland Inc., which pledged $200,000 to assist in establishing the KCTCS Foundation and to support a major workforce training initiative.

"Ashland Inc. and The Ashland Inc. Foundation are pleased to be able to support the formation of the new KCTCS Foundation at this important time of educational improvement in Kentucky. At Ashland, we are especially interested in workforce training issues. We know that support of our community and technical colleges schools will guarantee the continuation of educational progress in Kentucky that has captured the attention of many groups and individuals who monitor educational achievements nationwide," said Paul W. Chellgren, chairman and CEO, Ashland Inc.

These companies and organizations sponsored the President's Gala and Benefactors Awards Dinner:

• Associated Industries of Kentucky, Louisville.
• American Electric Power, Frankfort.
• Community Trust Bancorp, Pikeville.
• Deters, Benzinger & La Velle, Covington.
• East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Winchester.
• Fifth Third Bank, Lexington.
• Kentucky American Water Co., Lexington.
• Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Frankfort.
• Kentucky Utilities, Lexington.
• Lexington Herald-Leader, Lexington.
• The Clements Group, Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Georgetown.
• Verizon, Lexington

Addington to lead Owensboro District of KCTCS
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2000) - Dr. Jackie Addington, president of Owensboro Community College, has been appointed chief executive officer of Owensboro Technical College and of the Owensboro District of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).

Dr. Michael B. McCall, president of KCTCS, announced Addington's new appointments. McCall also said that Sandra Appling, who served for the last year as interim director of Owensboro Technical College, is returning to Bowling Green Technical College as the campus director of the new BGTC facility in Glasgow.

McCall said that the appointment of a single leader for the KCTCS campuses in Owensboro is a logical next step in the process of consolidating functions, services and programs of Owensboro Community College and Owensboro Technical College.

"This is a natural evolution of the consolidation, which the KCTCS Board of Regents approved in September," McCall said. "This step is similar to what we have done in the consolidation process in other communities."

McCall expressed appreciation for Appling's service in Owensboro since November 1999.

"Sandra Appling has made a valuable contribution to postsecondary education in Owensboro during this interim period," McCall said.

Before her appointment in Owensboro, Appling served as a campus director of Bowling Green Technical College, which includes campuses in Bowling Green and Glasgow.

"I am excited about the opportunities that await me in planning and opening the new regional postsecondary education center in Glasgow in concert with Western Kentucky University," Appling said.

"At the same time, I can't help but be a little sad about leaving Owensboro. The faculty, staff and students were great, and the community received me well."

Appling, a native of Bowling Green, earned her associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees from Western Kentucky University.

McCall expressed confidence in Addington's ability to lead Owensboro TC as well as Owensboro CC.

Addington began her tenure as Owensboro CC president in August 1997. Before that, she was assist