By Tom Lally, Building Kentucky
Jefferson Community and Technical College (Jefferson) will celebrate its record number of enrolled students and their achievements throughout Community College Month. As Kentucky’s largest and most impactful two-year post-secondary public institution, Jefferson is committed to transforming lives and communities through educational excellence in an inclusive environment that opens doors for all students.
“I am thrilled to share that Jefferson awarded 4,838 credentials to our students in the last academic year. Each credential, be it an associate degree, diploma or certificate, represents an open door,” Jefferson President Ty Handy said. “Students are opening doors to better lives through education and our business leaders are opening doors to a strong workforce that matches the record economic investment we’re seeing in the Louisville region.”
Nearly 4,000 of the credentials awarded aligned with Kentucky’s top five in-demand sectors of healthcare, manufacturing and logistics, construction, education, and professional, scientific and technical services.
The graduation rate for Jefferson students also climbed to an all-time high of 36 percent, which reflects rapid growth over the last five years and exceeds the national average for public, two-year institutions. Among first-time students, Jefferson has grown the fall-to-fall retention rate to an unprecedented 56 percent.
“I believe we’re experiencing these increases because our students know we have their backs. We’re not only connecting them to a quality education and financial aid resources like Evolve502, but we pay attention when students have barriers and we find solutions,” Handy said. “Our scholars tell us a missed rent payment, car troubles and even a high utility bill can keep them from staying enrolled. So, we listen. Now, we provide emergency funds, through our Jefferson Foundation and our resource pantry ‘The Hub,’ to fix these small obstacles that can have drastic impacts. Students wanting to stay enrolled at Jefferson is nothing new, their ability to do so is.”
Many of these efforts are made possible by community support. Jefferson Giving Day on Wednesday, April 16, is your opportunity to contribute to the success of our students and our community. Learn more at JCTC.me/GivingDay.
2025 Community College Month events include:
Lineman Training Graduation
At 10 a.m. on Monday, April 7, Jefferson will host Lineman Training Graduation at its Southwest Campus, 1000 Community College Dr. This event celebrates students enrolled in Greater Louisville’s only lineman training program to demonstrate the skills they learned in the course and receive their certificates.
Evolve502 Scholars Graduation Celebration
From 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at the University of Louisville’s Student Center, Evolve502 will celebrate scholarship recipients graduating from Jefferson and other colleges. The Evolve502 Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship program that covers a student’s college tuition after federal and state aid has been applied.
Going Pro – Future 42
Jefferson will host Going Pro – Future 42 College Signing Day at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29 at its Carrollton Campus, 1607 Hwy 227. These local high school students will be committing to a high-demand, high-wage program through Future 42. Learn more at future-42.com.
