Why did the Kentucky General Assembly create the Kentucky Community and Technical College System?

By combining the state's two-year colleges into one seamless system in 1997, the General Assembly took a major step forward in its efforts to reform higher education. Today, KCTCS is the Commonwealth's primary catalyst for economic development, community growth and enhanced educational attainment for our citizens.

As a state-assisted institution, why does KCTCS need additional support from the private sector?

While the state can provide for basic operations, the types of academic opportunities and enhancements that make KCTCS colleges truly exceptional must come from private resources. These additional funds enable KCTCS to react with creativity and innovation when responding to the training needs of business and industry and the emerging technology of the workplace, today and in the future.

Have state appropriations kept pace with KCTCS growth?

State funding continues to lag behind KCTCS benchmark states with an approximate funding gap of $39 million in this biennium.

The state budget crisis has significantly impacted funding for KCTCS colleges with the System sustaining four budget cuts in three years totaling $18 million.

How has KCTCS addressed the state's workforce and economic development needs?

The centerpiece of KCTCS economic development efforts is the Kentucky WINS (Workforce Investment Network System) program. KYWINS works with employers to develop high-performance work organizations. KCTCS has also been instrumental in developing the Kentucky Manufacturing Skills Standards certification and the Kentucky Employability Certificate, both designed to improve basic skill needs.

Is KCTCS meeting the expectations set by the 1997 legislation?

According to Measuring Up 2004: The State Report Card on Higher Education, Kentucky education reforms are starting to show results, especially at the two-year level. Kentucky is among the fastest growing states in the proportion of students completing certificates and degrees relative to the number enrolled and has a higher than average number of students taking and passing licensure examinations. In addition, the gap in college participation between low and high income families has narrowed substantially.

What does KCTCS plan to accomplish through the Fulfilling the Promise Campaign?

Through its first major gift campaign, KCTCS is striving to secure much-needed funds from the private sector that will:

Increase the Workplace Competency of Kentucky workers

Enhance and expand Adult Literacy programs

Provide training and services to address the challenges of an Aging Workforce

Provide opportunities for Kentucky to prosper from the Globilization of our economy

Improve Access to Education for all Kentuckians

How will gifts made at the system-level benefit KCTCS colleges?

The four funding priorities - The Student Success Fund, The New Economy Fund, The New Opportunities Fund and The KCTCS Building Fund - are focused on initiatives that impact multi-campuses, programs and services offered across the state. The statewide campaign also provides a process for colleges to collaborate and maximize gift requests to business and industries that serve all or large areas of the state.