West Kentucky News

Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) will exhibit artworks by students currently enrolled in its Survival Skills for Artists class beginning with an opening reception March 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The exhibition, hosted by Etcetera Coffeehouse located at 320 North 6th Street in Paducah’s Lowertown Arts District, will open with the reception which will precede the Friday Evening Poetry Night; both events are free and open to the public. The exhibition will remain on display at Etcetera Coffeehouse through March 28.

PSAD’s Professor of Drawing Randy Simmons teaches the Survival Skills for Artists class. Participating students are Alivia Boulton, James Otts, McKayla Lawrence, and Grace Yocum. The exhibition will include photography and drawings, with this being the third year the class and the exhibition have been presented.

The Survival Skills class is designed to prepare students for their next step into the art world, teach them to prepare their portfolios to best represent themselves, and how to professionally display their work in a public venue. The class also teaches skills in photographing artwork, safe studio practices and marketing strategies.

“PSAD plays a dual role in the artistic life of Paducah,” said Paul Aho, PSAD dean. “The Survival Skills class that we offer once a year serves both roles, training and preparing our students for careers in the arts or transfer to leading four year schools, as well as providing career development for emerging artists and non-traditional students in the region. The content of this class coupled with Randy’s experience and considerable exhibition history make this a unique opportunity for both groups while providing a first-time exhibition experience for many of its participants.”

Paducah School of Art and Design, a division of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, offers an Associate in Fine Arts degree, as well as studio art classes for students of all levels and disciplines. Classes are offered on WKCTC’s campus; at 409 Broadway, in downtown Paducah; and at our Lowertown campus at 919 Madison Street.

For more information, call (270) 408-4281.

Just before March Madness begins, West Kentucky Community and Technical College President Barbara Veazey and Murray State University President Robert Davies will join forces to promote another March event – Transfer Madness, a free statewide online transfer fair.

On March 11 during WKCTC’s Job and Transfer Fair, the college presidents along with MSU’s Dean of Continuing Education Brian Van Horn and WKCTC transfer students will share about Transfer Madness and various transfer opportunities. The special presentation begins at noon in Haws Gym.

The media is encouraged to attend.

Information about Transfer Madness
Transfer Madness, which is set for March 26 from 1 – 7 p.m. (CST), is statewide transfer fair held entirely online for Kentucky students preparing to transfer to a four-year college or high school students planning to attend college in route to a four-year degree.

Students will be able to chat live with representatives from over 20 Kentucky public and private universities as well as WKCTC and the other 15 colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).

During the fair, all registrants can download e-brochures, videos and podcasts and have the chance to win prizes such as

iPad
Basketball signed by Coach Calipari and Coach Pitino
Waived college application fees
Scholarships

KCTCS will host a Twitter tournament, in NCAA March Madness tournament fashion, pairing each of our 16 colleges to “play” against each other by tweeting about Transfer Madness. Rules and prizes will be tweeted publicly in the days prior to game play set to begin the third week in March. Interested participants will tweet with @KCTCS.

For more information and Transfer Madness registration visit transfermadness.org.

Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) has rescheduled the opening reception for an exhibition of artworks by students currently enrolled in its Survival Skills for Artists class due to snow conditions. The reception will now be held March 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Etcetera Coffeehouse in downtown Paducah.

The exhibition, hosted by Etcetera Coffeehouse located at 320 North 6th Street, opens with the reception followed by the Friday Evening Poetry Night; both events are free and open to the public. The exhibition will remain on display at Etcetera Coffeehouse through March 28.

PSAD’s Professor of Drawing Randy Simmons teaches the Survival Skills for Artists class. Participating students are Alivia Boulton, James Otts, McKayla Lawrence, and Grace Yocum. The exhibition will include photography and drawings, with this being the third year the class and the exhibition have been presented.

The Survival Skills class is designed to prepare students for their next step into the art world, teach them to prepare their portfolios to best represent themselves, and how to professionally display their work in a public venue. The class also teaches skills in photographing artwork, safe studio practices and marketing strategies.

“PSAD plays a dual role in the artistic life of Paducah,” said Paul Aho, PSAD dean. “The Survival Skills class that we offer once a year serves both roles, training and preparing our students for careers in the arts or transfer to leading four-year schools, as well as providing career development for emerging artists and non-traditional students in the region. The content of this class coupled with Randy¹s experience and considerable exhibition history make this a unique opportunity for both groups while providing a first-time exhibition experience for many of its participants.”

Paducah School of Art and Design, a division of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, offers an Associate in Fine Arts degree, as well as studio art classes for students of all levels and disciplines. Classes are offered on WKCTC¹s campus; at 409 Broadway, in downtown Paducah; and at our Lowertown campus at 919 Madison Street.

For more information, call (270) 408-4281.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is hosting a day of career exploration and preparation focusing on the manufacturing industry sector March 31.

The event will be held in the WKCTC’s Emerging Technology Center and Anderson Technical Buildings from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and will highlight programs that prepare students for entry level employment in manufacturing areas, including transfer options in engineering and industrial technology.

Murray State University and University of Kentucky will be hosting sessions and local industry will also be represented, providing information about the manufacturing careers and the processes used in their facilities.

Area middle and high school students have been invited to participate in hands-on activities in machining, maintenance, welding, process operations, electronics, safety, and 3D modeling. The public is invited to attend the free event from 2-5:00 p.m.

WKCTC Applied Technologies Dean Stephanie Milliken said west Kentucky continues to need multi-skilled technicians, welders, and machinists.

“WKCTC is committed to increasing skilled graduates in these areas. This event will provide incoming and outgoing high school students the chance to experience job tasks and meet people from local industry,” said Milliken. “Our goal is to help students recognize that these occupations are in high demand, pay well and have room for advancement.”

WKCTC programs being showcased are computer aided drafting and design. computerized manufacturing and machining, welding, industrial maintenance, applied engineering, and industrial chemical technologies. Safety training sessions will be offered as well.

A variety of door prizes will be drawn for students and community members throughout the day.

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Christina Baker Kline, author of Orphan Train, will visit West Kentucky Community and Technical College as the finale to the college’s 2015 One Book, One Campus, One Community Read.

During Kline’s two-day visit March 31 and April1, she will share the story behind writing Orphan Train and her background and experiences as a novelist with audiences on the WKCTC campus.

On March 31, Kline will speak to the public at 7 p.m. in Crounse Hall, Room 101. She will also answer questions from the audience and sign copies of her book following the presentation. The next day Kline will speak to WKCTC and high school students at
11 a.m. in the Clemens Fine Arts Center. Both presentations are free and open to the public.

Orphan Train, which has spent over a year on the New York Times and USA Today best-sellers lists, is based on the 75 years between 1854 and 1929, when an estimated 250,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children were placed with families throughout the United States and Canada during the Orphan Train Movement.

The book centers on Vivian Daly, a young Irish immigrant who was orphaned in New York City and then put aboard an orphan train to the Midwest, changing her life forever. In 2011, Vivian meets 17-year-old Molly Ayer, who is close to “aging-out” of the foster care system - something Vivian knows all too well. Molly helping the elderly Vivian clean out her attic that is packed with possessions and memories from the past is the only thing keeping Molly out of trouble in the juvenile system. Vivian and Molly learn they aren’t as different as they seem to be; they learn about friendship and second chances.

The One Book, One Campus, One Community Read project is a community-wide effort that promotes reading throughout the community with the goal of promoting regional participation in literacy-centered activities and improving literacy rates in the community.

For more information about Kline’s visit, Orphan Train, and the One Book, One Campus, One Community Read, visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu/Student_Life/OneBook.aspx

On March 11, West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) President Dr. Barbara Veazey and Murray State University (MSU) President Dr. Robert Davies joined forces to promote a free statewide online transfer fair called Transfer Madness

During WKCTC’s Job and Transfer Fair, the college presidents along with MSU’s Dean of Continuing Education Brian Van Horn shared about how Transfer Madness helps prepare transfer students across the state, the success rate of transfer students and the growing partnership between WKCTC and MSU.

“Our relationship with (West Kentucky) is one we treasure,” said Dr. Davies. “We have from 160-170 each and every time, each and every year transfer to Murray State University, and their success rate of transferring and then graduating is around 90%. And that is a tribute of what is occurring here (West Kentucky) that they are moving forward.”

MSU is hoping for a bid to the NCAA tournament and Dr. Davies encouraged people to join the social media campaigning using the hashtag - #RacersDeservesABid.

“I want to put it in context of today for the students. You deserve a bid,” Dr. Davies said. “There are a lot of universities here (Job and Transfer Fair) and I hope you will go to one of them. Of course, I hope you would go to Murray State, but you deserve a bid to each and every one of these universities. Because I know that you will come back to the Paducah and McCracken County community, and you will make a difference...you will help employers; you will help the economy and you will help this community grow in an exponential way.”

While speaking to students who attended the Job and Transfer Fair, Dr. Veazey explained that Transfer Madness is occurring all across the state on March 26 and is offered entirely online. “All of the 16 colleges within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System will be online partnering with public universities and private ones as well to chat, to talk about students just like you that are enrolled in a community college and you want to transfer; you want to go on for that baccalaureate degree.”

Dr. Veazey said the information offered during Transfer Madness would provide a tool kit that can help students who participates in the online transfer fair.

WKCTC transfer students also shared about their transfer experiences. Jennifer Haines, a resident of Lyon County, said that although she was a bit nervous when she transferred to MSU, the transition went smoothly and she has been successful. “I can only say thank you to Murray State and West Kentucky, and I hope to go on and get my master’s degree, maybe even my doctorate and hopefully come back here and even teach one day.”

During the Transfer Madness on March 26, all registrants can download e-brochures, videos and podcasts and have the chance to win prizes such as

•    iPad
•    Basketball signed by Coach Calipari and Coach Pitino
•    College application fees waived for anyone who visits a college booth
•    Scholarships

KCTCS will host a Twitter tournament, in NCAA March Madness tournament fashion, pairing each of our 16 colleges to “play” against each other by tweeting about Transfer Madness. Rules and prizes will be tweeted publicly in the days prior to game play set to begin the third week in March. Interested participants will tweet with @KCTCS.

For more information and Transfer Madness registration visit transfermadness.org.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is gearing to host its first Robot Extreme Challenge (RCX) March 16 from 6-8 p.m. in the Emerging Technology Center.

Middle school and high school students will participate in the competition with teams consisting of up to ten students in each of the middle and high school levels.

The 2015 RCX competition is built around the theme of a “Mars Adventure.” Students get to imagine themselves doing the tasks of humans living on Mars and work on projects that revolve around the theme.

Each year, the Kentucky-based competition helps students build skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and involves participants preparing a LEGO EV3 Robot to complete as many as 13 missions.

The media is encouraged to attend.

For more information call (270) 534-3335.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is offering a course that is designed to provide
Wastewater Treatment Operators continuing education for renewal of their certification.

The training will provide information on wastewater treatment operations and maintenance, SOP development, math, sample collection, preservation and class discussion.

Upon completion of the training, participants will feel comfortable with their review of wastewater treatment plant distribution, maintenance, wastewater treatment math, sample collection and preservation, COMOM, SORP, and SOS.

There are no prerequisites for this training. The 12-hour course is April 21 and 22 from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Emerging Technology Center, room 140. The cost of the course is $140 per participant. Lunch is included.

State license number is required when registering. Call (270) 534-3335 to register.

Students in the Diagnostic Medial Sonography (DMS) program at West Kentucky Community and Technical College are inviting the public to participate in its first Superhero 5K Fun Run April 11.

Participants can run or walk to help raise money for the DMS Class of 2015 examination fees and for the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, service and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following the events of September 11, 2001.

The 5K run/walk will be held April 11 in Paducah’s Noble Park at 10 a.m., followed immediately by the 1K kid run/walk. Registration on event day is $35. Children 12 and under are $15 per child. The race will be held rain or shine. Event t-shirts available while supplies last.

Participants are invited to wear their favorite superhero costumes on race day.

The registration form and event flyer are located on the WKCTC Web site at http://westkentucky.kctcs.edu/News%20and%20Events/newsItem?id={36AC2752-EEA0-48D9-B870-2063EFA2FD3A}

Mail the registration form and payment to Alice Robertson, WKCTC Sonography Program Coordinator, AHB, P.O. BOX 7380, Paducah, KY, 42001. Checks should be made to Paducah Junior College.

For more information, contact Terry Taylor, WKCTC Sonography Club president at ttaylor0246@kctcs.edu or Elizabeth Finch, WKCTC Sonography Club vice president at jfinch0021@kctcs.edu.

The Aspen Institute announced March 18 that West Kentucky Community & Technical College (WKCTC) is a Finalist-with-Distinction for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Selected from 1,123 community colleges nationwide, this is the second time WKCTC has been awarded this honor along with $100,000 in Prize funds to support its programs.

The Aspen Prize, the nation’s preeminent recognition of high achievement and performance in America’s community colleges, is awarded every two years and recognizes institutions for outstanding outcomes in four areas: student learning; certificate and degree completion; employment and earnings; and high levels of access and success for minority and low-income students.

This year’s Aspen Prize winner, Santa Fe College (Gainesville, FL), will receive $800,000, while a second finalist-with-distinction, Lake Area Technical Institute, and the “Rising Star” recipient, Kennedy-King College (Chicago, IL), will receive $100,000 prizes.

Check out what the Aspen Institute had to say about West Kentucky.

“West Kentucky Community & Technical College has been a steady improver and built a community-wide college-going culture in an area where few people sought a degree beyond a high school diploma,” said Joshua Wyner, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and author of What Excellent Community Colleges Do. “Faculty and staff are constantly working hard to improve their teaching and get students on the path to a better future.”

Tracey Dismore was worried and intimidated about college when she began taking classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College in spring 2011. Since then Dismore has chosen to become an active part of campus and make a conscious effort to build her self-confidence. That determination is paying off. She is flourishing on campus, and it shows, with her latest achievement of being selected as the WKCTC February Student of the Month.

“I had no idea I had been nominated for such an award. When I first found out, I was ecstatic; nothing like this has ever happened to me before, “ said 22 year-old Dismore, a Livingston County resident. “It makes me happy to know that everything I am doing is appreciated.”

Currently working as a student worker in WKCTC’s Trio Student Services, Dismore also serves as a student ambassador and is an active member the college’s mentoring and diversity and inclusion programs as well as the multicultural awareness club and the Exit 7 writing club. In addition, she volunteers for WKCTC Arts in Focus Series events and assists with basic computer classes for Senior Learners for Fun program.

Dismore, a differently-abled student, was homeschooled from kindergarten through high school and earned her GED in fall 2010. When she came through the doors of WKCTC for the first time, Dismore said she was scared she would do something wrong or would not be able to get around campus. “I felt very scared of failing...and I didn't know how much my wheelchair would exclude me from others, but I feel very different today.” She credits the college’s faculty and staff with helping her become a successful student. “....There are so many that would never just let me fail. They have all played a huge role in helping me out and building my self-confidence as far as knowing I can graduate and be like every one else. I feel confident, worthy and able to achieve my goals now.”

This May Dismore will graduate with an associate in arts degree and plans to transfer to pursue a bachelor’s degree to become a psychologist with a minor in English. “I hope to help young adults with depression for a time and then go ahead and specialize in human sexuality one day,” said Dismore. “I also want to do some work in writing columns about controversial topics associated with human sexuality in young adults and how to avoid these topics can lead to depression. I have been so blessed, and I, in return, want to make others feel that way as well.”

WKCTC Trio Director Gail Bachuss said Dismore’s transformation into a confident, strong student is remarkable. “I have witnessed Tracey’s strong identity with this college, her pride in representing this college, and her love of being a WKCTC student,” said Bachuss. “Tracey represents our college with her winning smile and new-found poise, but also with the story of a young woman persevering to reach her dream, “ said Bachuss. “She is an active example of student success, a student who has been nurtured and provided opportunities at WKCTC to pursue her dream. I believe Tracey Dismore is what WKCTC is all about!”

The Student of the Month program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of students on campus. Individuals selected must be currently enrolled at WKCTC and have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher and are nominated on the basis of exceptional performance, personal attributes, academic excellence and active participation in various student organizational activities.

Student of the Month recipients receive $100, a certificate of excellence, recognition on the WKCTC Facebook page, campus announcements and Web site. Recipients are also recognized by Pepsi MidAmerica and receive one free month's supply of their favorite Pepsi product.

Kentucky Innovation Network officially opens its new office in Paducah next week.

The newest office of the Kentucky Innovation Network, in partnership with West Kentucky Community and Technical College, will hold a ribbon cutting and open house March 27, 4 p.m. at 3229 Coleman Road. The public is invited to attend and learn what the office has to offer local businesses.

Kentucky Innovation Network’s Paducah office is the first small business incubator in the area offering economical solutions to startup businesses for office and work space as a way to help new businesses get a jump start on the road to entrepreneurial success. The incubator offers shared workspace, individual offices, an office suite and conference space at a sliding fee scale dependent on the needs of the business. Business that set up in the incubator will also receive coaching from experts and the chance to connect with local business leaders. Kentucky Innovations Network also offers businesses that do not need an office space with ways to help make their enterprise successful.

The media is encouraged to attend.

For more information about the Kentucky Innovations Network, contact Dan Lazarevic at (270) 210-2361 or dan@kyinnovation.com.

Thirty-five competitors vied for top honors at the first Robot Extreme Challenge (RCX) recently held at West Kentucky Community and Technical College March 16.

The competition was divided into high and middle school levels with the Commonwealth Middle College at WKCTC winning the high school division. In the middle school division, Lone Oak Middle School’s “Lightning Botzz” and Heath Middle School’s “Piratechs2” won first and second, respectively. The winning middle school teams have chosen to compete in the Student Technology Leadership Program for the state RCX competition in Lexington’s Rupp Arena March 26.

Other participating teams represented middle schools from Heath, Graves, Lyon and Marshall counties.

The 2015 RCX competition was built around the theme of a “Mars Adventure.” Students imagined themselves doing the tasks of humans living on Mars and work on projects that revolve around the theme.

The Kentucky-based competition was created to help students build skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and involved participants preparing a LEGO EV3 Robot to complete as many as 13 missions. Students pre-programmed the robot to do one or more missions at a time and completed as many missions as they could in three minutes. Student teams got three tries to gather as many points from a run, and the top score from any of the runs was used to determine winners of each level.

The Lightning Botzz had the best score Monday Night with 269 out 500 possible points.

“We are proud to have been able to offer the RCX competition on the WKCTC campus for the first time,” said Bill Kunnecke, program director of the college’ science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) initiative. “We encourage the community to continue to take advantage of the many K-12 STEAM opportunities that WKCTC has to offer. Whether it be the upcoming science fair, the Challenger Learner Center Missions and camps, the LEGO robotics workshops, or the STEAM-based summer camps-- there is something for everyone who has an interest!”

For a complete list of upcoming camp opportunities, visit http://issuu.com/jblythe0001/docs/communityeducation/1

Asheley Thomas of Boaz recently brought home two state honors from the Phi Beta Lambda State Conference held March 20–21 at the University of Pikeville.

Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) is a nonprofit educational association of post secondary students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. Thomas, a student at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, placed first in the macroeconomics and third in the microeconomics categories. She is now eligible to attend the National PBL conference in Chicago, Ill, this summer.

WKCTC’s Phi Beta Lambda chapter also placed first in the largest number increase in membership category and second place in the largest percentage increase in membership, said PBL advisor and WKCTC professor Tiffinee Morgan.

This is the second year Thomas has taken home state PBL honors. She placed second in management concepts last year. Still Thomas said she wasn’t 100 percent confident she would place again this year. “I didn’t want to jinx myself,” she said, “But I was moderately confident.”

A 1997 St. Mary High School graduate, Thomas earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville before coming to West Kentucky. A business administration major at West Kentucky, Thomas wants to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and plans to transfer to Morehead University to complete that degree. She and her husband, Allen, have one son.

Thomas said participating in the competition like the state PBL not only builds confidence but for nontraditional students like her, it can also open up opportunities.

“I felt like it would be a great opportunity to network, especially at the nationals. You never know if someone you meet there could be somebody who might send you an email to let you know they’re hiring and might put in a good word for you,” Thomas said. “Plus it looks really good on your resume.”

A six-week Zumba class begins at West Kentucky Community and Technical April 13.

Zumba is a dance fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance in an effort to make exercise fun! The music has beat and tempo changes that move the workout from one toning, strengthening, or cardio move to another, and targets every major muscle group in the body. Zumba uses dance styles such as Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, Hip Hop, Tango and more.

The class meets every Monday evening from 4:45-5:45 p.m. in the Haws Gymnasium from April 13-May 18.

Register by calling (270) 534-3335 or online.

Back by popular demand, West Kentucky Community and Technical College is again offering two courses to teach computer basics and the navigation of the Windows 8.1 operating system.

Each course is now six hours and is conveniently offered in sections with added alternative dates and times during the month of April and May. All classes will be held in the college’s Emerging Technology Center.

Novice computer users can learn basic computer skills without the technical jargon in Basic PC classes with Part I offered Wednesday, April 22 from
9 a.m. – noon and Part II Thursday, April 23 from 1 – 4 p.m. Participants can choose instead to take the sections Tuesday, May 5 also from 9 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4 p.m.

The introductory class is designed to help teach quick tips for learning how to work in a computer environment including saving and locating files, surfing the Internet, shopping online and sharing photos.

More computer savvy individuals can learn to navigate the Windows 8.1 operating system with Part I offered Tuesday, April 21 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and Part II on the same day from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Participants can choose instead to take the course Monday, May 12 from 9 a.m. – noon and 1-4 p.m.

The class offers a unique approach to teaching the skills necessary to navigate and the operating system making the most of new tools and programs in a course designed for both home and business users. Basic PC navigation skills are highly recommended.

The cost for Basic PC or Windows 8.1 classes is $95 each.

The registration deadline is seven days prior to class starting date. Classes may be cancelled due to lack of enrollment.

For more information and to register, call (270) 534-3335 or online.

Students who would like to start taking classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College this summer and fall can register now.

Fall classes begin August 17, 2015. The college’s four summer sessions are listed below.

Session 1 - May 11 – June 21
Session 2 - June 8 – July 26
Session 3 - June 8 – August 7
Session 4 - June 22 – August 7

Students can apply now for financial aid at fafsa.ed.gov for the 2015 summer and fall semesters. The financial aid priority deadline for summer is April 15; the deadline for fall is July 15. Students applying after these date must make payment arrangements and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form at the Web site listed above.

WKCTC offers 250 associate degree, diploma and certificate options in more than 40 programs. The college provides students with a variety of ways to begin classes including day, evening and online courses.

WKCTC advisors are available to help students with the registration process and offer assistance in creating an academic plan that can help them reach their academic goals. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-855-GO-WKCTC (1-855-469-5282). Walk-ins are welcome, but students are encouraged to make an appointment to avoid waiting times during registration.

The Advising Center is located in the Anderson Technical Building, Room 106. Advising Center hours are Monday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and
Tuesday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Students can also submit a free online application by selecting the red APPLY NOW link at the top of the WKCTC Web site at westkentucky.kctcs.edu.

Students submitting an online application must still register for classes. Financial aid and grant opportunities are available for eligible students.

Beginning April 1, 2015, qualified adult education students across Kentucky will have the opportunity to participate in an accelerated learning opportunity that will allow them to progress more quickly toward taking the GED® test. The accelerated learning opportunity, called GED® Express, will be offered locally at the West Kentucky Community and Technical College Adult Learning Centers, located in the Anderson Technical Building, Room 111, 4810 Alben Barkley Drive in Paducah and the Skilled Craft Training Center, 70 Hickory Road in Hickory.

Kentucky Adult Education programs that have launched GED® Express early are already seeing promising results. “With the GED® Express option, we are finding more students are getting on board with moving forward with their GED®,” said Dr. Paula Jones, adult education program director for Madison, Garrard and Clay counties. “In these early stages, we are seeing progress, growth and successful completion. The new GED® Express option has been a ‘win-win’ for our students and for our program.”

GED® Express helps qualified individuals progress more quickly toward earning a GED® diploma by offering targeted instruction to address the student’s specific skill gaps through a combination of independent and direct instruction in academic content areas, technology and test-taking skills.

“The current GED® test, launched a little over a year ago, allows students to take one test module at a time, which is really beneficial to the student,” Samantha Williams, WKCTC Adult Learning Centers program director. “GED® Express capitalizes on this opportunity and helps students really focus and hone in on building the specific skills they need in order to earn a GED® diploma as quickly as possible. We want students to be successful and will do what we can to help them move toward taking the next step, whether that is improved employment opportunities or further education – or both.”

For more information about GED® Express or other services offered by McCracken County Adult Education, call 270-534-3451, e-mail samantha.williams@kctcs.edu. For services offered by Graves County Adult Education, call 270-856-2422, e-mail stacey.mcintee@kctcs.edu. Individuals can also visit the Facebook page.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 31, 2015) – Want to take your business global? There’s still time to sign up for Gov. Steve Beshear’s Kentucky Export Initiative (KEI) trade mission to Canada.

The deadline to register for the May 25-30 trade mission has been extended to April 7. Numerous companies have already signed up, and only a few openings remain. Grant funding through the State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) program is available to help qualified small businesses offset the cost of the trip.

“Canada’s proximity to Kentucky makes it a very accessible market and a great opportunity for our small businesses to grow internationally,” said Mandy Lambert, commissioner of business development in the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. “Kentucky companies participating in the trade mission will be personally matched with businesses and distribution networks in Canada. These meetings will be key to establishing relationships and laying the groundwork for potential deals. I would encourage any Kentucky small business that wants to grow to join us for this unique opportunity.”

The trade mission will focus on increasing commerce and building relationships between Kentucky’s small businesses and the Canadian market. The KEI delegation will make stops in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.

The visit will be KEI’s second trade and investment mission to Canada. Gov. Beshear led a delegation to our northern neighbors in June 2013.

Canada is home to one of the world’s largest economies and is Kentucky’s largest trade partner. The Commonwealth exported more than $7.6 billion in products and services to Canada last year.

Kentucky exports to Canada have played a key role in boosting the Commonwealth’s economy. In 2014, Kentucky’s exports of products and services to Canada generated $4.3 billion for Kentucky’s GDP and supported more than 51,000 jobs in the state.

The mission follows another record export year for Kentucky. Exports of Kentucky-made products and services during 2014 totalled $27.5 billion. Kentucky exported to 191 nations last year.

Gov. Beshear created the KEI to bring together agencies and organizations to help facilitate international trade opportunities for Kentucky businesses. The KEI partnership includes the Cabinet for Economic Development and other government entities, business organizations and trade experts.

Companies interested in participating in the trade mission are encouraged to act quickly due to limited spacing. Sponsorship opportunities also are available. For more information and to register, visit www.kyexports.com.

The West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) campus will be closed to traffic for a 5K Run April 18 between
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

The public is invited to participate in the annual 5K fundraising event with a new theme and title this year - “Justice Run Against Child Abuse.” Alpha Epsilon Beta (AEB), WKCTC’s local chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, sponsors the annual event.

The event will include a 5K race and a one-mile Fun Run for children ages 12 and under. Awards will be given to the top three in each category.

Preregistration is $25 by April 5 and includes an event t-shirt. Late or race day registration is $30. T-shirts are not guaranteed for late or race day registrants. The fee for the one-mile Fun Run is $12 without a t-shirt and $20 with a t-shirt for those registered by April 5.

All proceeds benefit the Paducah Child Watch Children’s Advocacy Center for the prevention and treatment of child abuse. No refunds can be given and entries are non-transferable. No pets, bikes or skates allowed on the course.

Participants can register at the Anderson Technical Building on the WKCTC campus beginning at 3 p.m. April 18. The race begins at 5 p.m. and the Kids’ Fun Run begins at 6 p.m. Award ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m.

A registration form is available through the WKCTC Web site. Search for Justice Run Against Child Abuse.

Participants can also respond by e-mail and mail. Registration forms can be e-mailed to participants by contacting Gary Reese at garyl.reese@kctcs.edu.
If responding by mail, make check payable and mail to Alpha Epsilon Beta, c/o Gary Reese, WKCTC, PO Box 7380, Paducah, KY 42002-7380. One entry form per person is needed (photocopies acceptable). Multiple entries may be made with a single payment and included in one envelope.

For more information, AEB advisor Gary Reese can also be contacted at (270) 534-3172.

Paducah School of Art and Design Exhibits Student Artwork from Survival Skills Class

WKCTC and MSU Presidents Join Together to Promote Transfer Madness Online Fair

PSAD Reschedules Student Survival Skills Class Exhibit Opening

WKCTC Highlights Manufacturing Programs and Careers March 31

New York Times and USA Today Best-selling Author Visits WKCTC Campus March 31 and April 1

WKCTC and MSU Presidents Joined Together to Promote Statewide Transfer Madness Online Fair

First Robot Extreme Challenge at WKCTC Monday in Emerging Technology Center

WKCTC Provides Continuing Education for Wastewater Treatment Operators

WKCTC Sonography Students Hosts First Superhero 5K Run

West Kentucky Named One of the Nation's Top Three Community Colleges

Determination Pays Off for Livingston County Resident Selected WKCTC February Student of the Month

Kentucky Innovations Network Cuts Ribbon on New Building

Commonwealth Middle College, Lone Oak and Health Middle Schools Take Home Trophies at WKCTC’s First Robot Extreme Challenge

Boaz resident takes home state honor

Sign Up Early for Zumba Classes at WKCTC

Basic Computer and Windows 8.1 Courses Offered at WKCTC

Registration is Currently Underway for 2015 Summer and Fall Semesters at WKCTC

GED® Express Option Offered at WKCTC Adult Learning Centers

Kentucky Small Businesses Can Still Sign Up for Kentucky Export Initiative Trade Mission to Canada

WKCTC Campus Closed to Traffic Saturday April 18 for Student Sponsored 5K Run