March 12 event reminds community of 20-year effort, highlights transfer opportunities
Caption: Jamie Jones, Deanna Sumner, Brittany Williams and Kendra Williams committed to attending
Morehead State University, University of Kentucky, University of the Cumberlands and
Eastern Kentucky University, respectively, by signing the proclamation during the
events. Pictured are the four with representatives from each of the colleges to which
they will transfer, along with Hazard Community & Technical College representatives.
Hazard Community & Technical College’s (HCTC’s) University Center of the Mountains (UCM) Transfer Center recently hosted Spring Into Transfer, an event focused on transfer opportunities for HCTC students interested in pursuing four-year degrees.
The UCM facility opened for bachelor’s and master’s degree course meetings on the HCTC campus in Hazard in 2004. Since then, the partnership and offerings have expanded to include select doctoral programs.
During the event, students had the opportunity to interact with four-year partner universities, including:
-
Eastern Kentucky University;
-
Kentucky State University;
-
Lindsey Wilson College;
-
Midway University;
-
Morehead State University;
-
Northern Kentucky University;
-
University of the Cumberlands;
-
University of Kentucky;
-
University of Louisville; and
-
University of Pikeville.
Four-year partners also had the opportunity to meet with students from local high schools.
“Our campus community enjoyed the opportunity to engage with regional four-year partner institutions,” Dr. Jennifer Lindon, HCTC president and chief executive officer, remarked. “We know that many of our students plan to continue their educational journey after completing their two-year degrees with us, and it is our goal to support them in that. We offer extensive advising services aimed at ensuring all of our students’ success with us and beyond.”
Additionally, HCTC and its regional partners recognized numerous students who have or will transfer to complete a four-year degree after completing their two-year degrees at HCTC.
Tammy Duff, acting director of the UCM, encouraged HCTC students who plan to attend a four-year partner to visit the UCM in HCTC's First Federal Center, 1 Community College Drive, Hazard, Ky. 41701 to sign a proclamation committing to pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher.
"Anyone who needs help with transferring, identifying opportunities that'll work well for them — whatever it may be, we're here to help," Duff said. "We provide support year-round to students studying numerous fields, from education to healthcare, criminal justice to counseling. There are so many opportunities for students who want to achieve their dreams close to home.”
The event followed a meeting of the UCM Leadership Team, consisting of founding four-year university partners and HCTC and Kentucky Community & Technical College System representatives, in February. During that meeting, the UCM Leadership Team discussed plans in the wake of Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 98 (2023) and 132 (2024).
SJR 98 (2023) directed the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) to study placing a four-year university in southeastern Kentucky. CPE identified HCTC, whose primary service counties are Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe, as an optimal location for an increased university presence.
SJR 132 (2024) builds upon CPE’s findings, directing CPE to conduct a feasibility study on transforming HCTC into a four-year university. If signed into effect, SJR 132 would produce a report by the end of this calendar year.
HCTC continues to work with four-year partners to explore expanding existing programs and services and creating new degree pathways for its service area, including those present at the event.
An official 20-year celebration event for the UCM will occur later this year. Information is forthcoming.
For more information about HCTC, visit the Hazard Community & Technical College webpage. For more information about UCM, visit the University Center of the Mountains webpage.
