Bluegrass Community and Technical College receives grant from U.S. Department of Education
The grant comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), which aims to strengthen innovation and workforce development within higher education.
Bluegrass Community and Technical College has received a grant in the amount of $1.2 million from the US Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). Bluegrass Community and Technical College is the only institution in the state of Kentucky to have received this award, and it will work to build partnerships with healthcare providers, emergency services, and workforce agencies to develop new certificate and credential programs.
According to an article on Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s website, the college’s president and CEO Dr. Greg Feeney is quoted as saying, “This award is a tremendous honor for Bluegrass Community and Technical College and for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We are proud to be recognized for our commitment to building strong and responsive workforce pathways. This investment affirms the vital role community colleges play in preparing students for in-demand careers while supporting the economic vitality of our state.”
The initiative funded by the FIPSE grant will help the college form partnerships with healthcare providers and emergency services, as well as workforce agencies, to develop expanded career pathways in allied health, emergency medical services, and commercial driver’s licenses. These are high-demand careers in the region, and the initiative plans to serve 150 students per year by year four of the offerings. Additionally, by utilizing the grant funding, the school will be able to provide students with enhanced support, including job placement.
Dr. Patricio I. Meneses, who serves as the Dean of Nursing and Allied Health at the college, said, “This grant allows us to deepen our collaboration with healthcare and public safety partners while creating clear, efficient pathways into essential careers. We plan to use these funds to expand program capacity, strengthen hands-on training, and ensure students earn credentials that lead directly to employment in allied health, emergency services, and related fields. Ultimately, this investment will help meet critical workforce needs while improving access to quality education for our students.”
For more information about Bluegrass Community and Technical College, visit the school’s website.