Partnership enhances postsecondary education reform

FRANKFORT, Ky. (November 4, 2002) - Postsecondary education reform is working in Kentucky. That was the message of three postsecondary education leaders during a special “Showcasing Reform” presentation that kicked-off today’s meeting of the Council on Postsecondary Education.

Dr. King Alexander, president of Murray State University, Dr. Keith Bird, chancellor of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, and Daniel Rabuzzi, CEO of the Kentucky Virtual University, showcased a transfer agreement that will prepare Kentucky’s workforce to meet the telecommunications needs of the new economy and will expand access through anytime, anyplace education through the virtual university.

The transfer agreement was established between the associate in applied science degree in information technology offered by KCTCS and the bachelor’s of science degree in telecommunications systems management, a program of distinction, offered by Murray State.

“This is a great day for postsecondary education reform,” stated Rabuzzi. “This initiative supports three of the council’s reform priorities: to facilitate transfer, meet the workforce needs of the knowledge-based economy, and provide access to online education through the Kentucky Virtual University,” he said.

Over 10,000 students are enrolled in the associate’s degree program which is available on campus and online.

"This partnership fulfills several strategic objectives of KCTCS--to enhance information technology education, to expand access to distance learning, and to increase the number of our students who transfer to four-year colleges and universities. This agreement will change the lives of students," stated Bird.

In a separate initiative funded by BellSouth and the Office of the New Economy, Murray will develop online courses for its program. Several upper division courses will be available through the Kentucky Virtual University in spring 2003 and all of the 20 courses in Murray’s program will be available by August 2004.

"This is another way that Murray State, in conjunction with other higher education institutions in the state and private industry, can collaboratively expand to address the economic and social needs of Kentucky. We remain committed in every way to these efforts as we advance higher education reform in the state," said Alexander.

Due to this partnership, enrollment in Murray’s program is expected to double within the next two years. Presently, 215 students are enrolled.

The Kentucky Virtual University is a unit of the Council on Postsecondary Education. The Council coordinates change and improvement in Kentucky's public colleges and universities. For more information on KYVU, call toll-free at 1-877-740-4357.

The 16 seamless districts of KCTCS comprise 62 campuses open or under construction. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu.

More information about Murray State University is available here

Contacts:
Contact: Bill Swinford
Council on Postsecondary Education
(502) 573-1555

Bryan Armstrong
Kentucky Community and Technical College System
(859) 246-3142

Jim Carter
Murray State University
(270) 573-4894

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