Kentucky Community and Technical colleges are celebrating a milestone: since 2020, incarcerated individuals have earned more than 4,400 GEDs through the system.
Fourteen KCTCS colleges offer education through Kentucky Adult Education, the state agency that administers GED programs. Classes are held in county jails and prisons. In total, more than 14,400 people enrolled in GED preparation programs, with 4,460 inmates earning their GED.
“Many people who are incarcerated will be released one day, and they will be our neighbors,” said Maggie Price, director of student success at Maysville Community and Technical College. “We want our neighbors to be educated and involved in improving our communities. Research also supports these reasons. We see more and more studies being published showing that people are less likely to reoffend if they participate in educational programs while incarcerated.”
Research shows that inmates who work toward certificates have lower rates of recidivism when released, Price said.
“When we say KCTCS is education for everyone, that is exactly what we mean. Supporting those who do not have a high school diploma is a top priority for our state and our workforce,” said System President Ryan Quarles.
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KCTCS and KSU Announce Transfer Scholarship
A new program was announced that would provide students at KCTCS colleges with free tuition at Kentucky State University.
Scholarship applications for the Kentuckians Pathway Scholarship close on November 15. Pell-eligible KCTCS students who earn their associate’s degree through KCTCS and transfer to KSU are eligible to earn their bachelor’s degree, with the scholarship covering fall and spring tuition.
“KSU is committed to removing barriers and expanding opportunities in higher education and we see this grant has the potential to positively change the lives of students,” said KSU President Koffi Akakpo. “We view our partnership with KCTCS and this grant as a necessary investment in our future leaders and world changers by ensuring Kentuckians have access to an affordable post-secondary education.”
According to KCTCS data, 63% of associate degree earners received a Pell grant during the 2022-2023 academic year and could be eligible for the grant.
“We know that education opens doors to opportunities that change lives forever. We also know that we must do everything we can to make higher education affordable for Kentuckians,” Quarles said. “While not every student needs to attend a four-year institution to be successful, many of our students will continue their education after earning their associate degree.
Barnstable Brown Gala raises $1 million for Britain
The Barnstable Brown Gala donated $1 million to the UK Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center starting in 2024. In total, more than $21 million has been donated to Britain for diabetes treatment and research since 2008.
The gala is held every year around the Kentucky Derby and attracts many celebrity guests. The Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center in Great Britain provides treatments for patients and focuses its research on the treatment and care of diabetes.
“This $1 million donation from the Barnstable Brown Brown Gala is another transformative donation for the Center and the fight against diabetes,” said Dr. Simon Fisher, director of the University of Kentucky Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center. “The Barnstable Brown family’s longstanding support has had a tremendous impact on the care we provide here in Kentucky and the research we do to advance diabetes care around the world.”
