BSCTC HOSTS SHOWCASE DAY AT CAPITOL
Big things are happening at Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC), and
lawmakers and constitutional office holders got a glimpse of why the college is the
first choice for higher education in eastern Kentucky during a Showcase Day held at
the Capitol on Tuesday, March 22.
We want our legislators and constitutional office holders to know we are not talking,
we are doing, said BSCTC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. Our institution is working
collaboratively with partners to create new and relevant programs, expand capacity
and transform our region one student, one opportunity at a time.
Dr. Stephenson met with the entire legislative delegation from the Big Sandy region
(Senate Minority Floor Leader Ray S. Jones, Sen. Johnny Ray Turner, Sen. Brandon Smith,
Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo, Rep. Hubert Collins, Rep. Chris Harris, Rep. John
Short and Rep. Leslie Combs).
Our legislators understand and value the importance of higher education and workforce
training in eastern Kentucky, said Dr. Stephenson. In order to attract quality companies
to invest in the region, we must have a highly-skilled workforce and a community and
technical college that is responsive, proactive and ready to move at the speed of
business.
Allison Ball, a Floyd County native and Kentucky State Treasurer, visited the showcase,
as well as House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Rocky Adkins, Senate Majority Floor Leader
Damon Thayer.
It has been a banner year for BSCTC. Last year, the college started the first Fiber
Optics Association-sanctioned (FOA) training in eastern Kentucky. The class has attracted
students from nine states. Later this year, BSCTC will break ground on the states
first Advanced Technology Center on its Pikeville campus. The $4.5 million project
was paid for by a $2.3 million grant from the Economic Development Agency (EDA; $500,000
from the Appalachian Region Commission; $500,000 Community Development Block Grant;
and $1.2 million from the college.
This facility will provide the capacity for us to build on our Fiber Optics training
and create new programs in areas such as broadband technology, said Dr. Stephenson.
Earlier this month, the Kentucky Community and Technical College (KCTCS) Board of
Regents approved a new Broadband Technology program for the college. It is awaiting
approval from SACSCOC, the colleges accrediting body.
Students from the BSCTC SkillsUSA chapter, as well as students from Phi Theta Kappa
(PTK), Honors and Allied Health programs were also on hand for the event. Gregory
Castle, Louie Jude and Michael Preston represented SkillsUSA. Castle is the college
chapter president. Faculty member Charles Vanhoose joined them.
Sara Craft, Hannah Dials and Conley Ross, all second-year associate degree nursing
program students, were also on hand and provided free glucose and blood pressure checks.
Faculty member Nicole Burchett joined them.
Austin Curnutte, Kaitlyn Campbell, Jordan Carroll, Olivia Colvin, Aaron Curnutte,
Joshua Mullins and Olivia Slone joined PTK Advisor Dr. Kathryn Miller at the event.
Jerica Grimm, a student representative on the BSCTC board of directors, was also in
attendance.
Representatives from Workforce Solutions and the East Kentucky Science Center and
Varia Planetarium were also on hand.
Students were recognized in the House and Senate for their contributions to higher
education in eastern Kentucky.
