UK partners with KCTCS to expand opportunities for Kentucky college students – Lane Report

Versailles, Ky.— Campus leaders from the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) today announced a new partnership aimed at ensuring a seamless transfer for Kentucky community college students seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree at UK.

The new transfer agreement will provide students on KCTCS’s two-year degree programs with clear and efficient pathways to access four-year degree programs in the UK, maximizing credit transfer and reducing the time and cost of completing their studies.

The agreement was formalized today at a signing ceremony on the UK campus attended by officials from both institutions. The agreement reflects UK’s commitment to advancing Kentucky by making higher education more accessible and affordable, which will ultimately help create a more educated and successful workforce in the commonwealth.

“Today’s agreement on the development path between the UK and KCTCS is a key step towards building a more skilled workforce to meet the needs of our Commonwealth,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “This important partnership expands access to higher education for all Kentuckians, especially those who may not have considered pursuing a bachelor’s degree. By working together, we can achieve more for our state and fulfill our promise to graduate more students and strengthen our communities.”

KCTCS consists of 16 colleges with over 70 campuses strategically located throughout the Commonwealth where students can earn certificates, diplomas and degrees. The new global transfer agreement will provide students from all KCTCS schools with the access, resources and support services needed to transfer to a four-year program in the UK.

“Expanding access to four-year degrees will prepare more of our students for employment and career success,” said Ryan Quarles, president of KCTCS. “Creating seamless transfer pathways with partners like the University of Kentucky ensures that KCTCS will do what it can to improve the employment opportunities and quality of life of Commonwealth citizens and strengthen the state’s workforce.”

Greg Feeney, president of Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC), says these transfer partnerships are an integral part of their efforts to support students.

“BCTC values ​​its long-standing alliance with the UK, strengthening the commonwealth,” Feeney said. “Expanding this collaboration to all KCTCS will strengthen our collective impact.”

Some of the highlights of the partnership include:

• Refining and establishing new UK transfer pathways to maximize accepted credit hours, detailing admission requirements, course equivalencies and other key information for specific academic programs.
• Increasing affordability by waiving the UK application fee for KCTCS students through the Transfer Tuesday program.
• Providing access to UK transfer advisors and inviting KCTCS students to special UK events to support their transfer process.

The strategic collaboration underscores the commitment of both UK and KCTCS to improving educational outcomes and supporting the academic and career success of students throughout Kentucky.

This initiative recognizes the potential of Kentucky community college students and provides them with the tools and resources necessary to achieve their academic and career goals.

Alexandra Martin, a Maysville Community and Technical College (MCTC) student, will be moving to the UK this fall and has benefited from these resources and services while at MCTC.

“Maysville Community and Technical College was instrumental in my successful transition to the UK,” she said. “MCTC provided challenging courses that created a solid educational foundation for my Bachelor of Business degree in the UK. From day one, dedicated advisors helped create a personalized transfer plan, allowing the transfer process to run smoothly. They offered both technical support and motivation when I needed it most.

By supporting transfer students like Martin on their educational journeys, UK and KCTCS are investing in Kentucky’s future leaders and innovators, contributing to the state’s growth.

For more information about the transfer pathways and benefits available to students, please visit the UK Transfer Admissions website or KCTCS Transfer Information. Students can also use e-mail (email protected) for more information about moving to the UK. The deadline for transfer students to apply for the Fall 2024 semester at UK is July 1.

More information about moving to the UK and the benefits available to students can be found on the KCTCS/UK website.