BSCTC PRESIDENT MEETS WITH PIKEVILLE CITY MANAGER TO DISCUSS COLLABORATION, PROGRESS

Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) President Dr. Devin Stephenson met with Pikeville City Manager Donovan Blackburn on Monday, June 22 to discuss the colleges plans to expand its Pikeville campus.

The Pikeville campus is an important part of our overall strategy to advance the college as a whole, said Dr. Stephenson. We are working to strengthen our relationships with community partners and the University of Pikeville to streamline opportunities for our students, business and industry.

BSCTC is in the planning phase of an expansion that will include a 60,000 square-foot building and parking structure. The expansion will provide additional instructional space for faculty, staff and students, as well as establish a Workforce Solutions presence to address the training needs for business and industry.

Donovan Blackburn said part of Pikevilles strategy is diversifying the economy. A major component of achieving such a goal is access to a highly-trained and highly-skilled workforce.

We want people to stay in the region and to attract new business and industry, and grow those businesses that have already invested in the area, said Blackburn. Its critical that all partners work together, and I am pleased that Dr. Stephenson is open to things we are doing in Pikeville.

Dr. Stephenson plans to meet with judge executives and mayors from across the BSCTC service area in the coming weeks to discuss how the college can help align resources to achieve economic development and quality of life goals.

Its important that we listen and that we respond, said Dr. Stephenson. We are an influencer in the region, and I want to promote collaboration and finding a Passion for the Possible.