BSCTC LEADERS MEET WITH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES, EKCEP ABOUT FAST-TRACK IT PROGRAMS

Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) President Dr. Devin Stephenson met officials with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) on Wednesday, May 27 on the Prestonsburg campus.

Jenn Worth, senior vice president of workforce and economic development and Paul Dyer, consultant with the AACC, joined Jeff Whitehead, executive director of EKCEP and Michael Cornett, director of agency expansion, to discuss strategies for implementation of fast-track information technology programs for displaced workers.

Larry Ferguson, vice chancellor for workforce solutions and economic development for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), participated in the meeting, as well as a host of BSCTC faculty, staff and administrators.

With the expansion of broadband provided through the i-Highway initiative with SOAR, Congressman [Hal] Rogers and Governor [Steve] Beshear, we stand on the right side of the digital divide to capitalize on the up-tick in information technology jobs expected now and in the future, said Dr. Stephenson. It is exciting to see the collaboration through the American Association of Community Colleges and the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. Our collaboration will be essential in bringing industry-leading training to our students to find gainful employment.

Dr. Stephenson told the group a story about a recent trip to New York.

I saw a group of high school students in the elevator and a student had a shirt on that read, Why is the sky the limit when there are footprints on the moon? That put things into perspective, he said. Thats the approach we want to take with all of our students. We want to find a passion for the possible.

For more information on BSCTCs information technology program, contact Dr. Kitty Miller at (606) 218- 1259 or email kmiller0045@kctcs.edu.