Frankfort, KY – The Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) recently announced a positive trend in enrollment figures for Kentucky public universities and community colleges, revealing a 3.9 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment for the fall 2024 semester. Additionally, community and technical college enrollment surged by 4.9 percent. The report highlighted record numbers of first-time students, minority students, and dual credit participants.
Non-traditional adult students, a crucial demographic for achieving Kentucky’s educational goals, increased by 8 percent, reversing several years of decline. In the private sector, undergraduate enrollment also thrived, posting a 6.1 percent increase, according to Mason Dyer, president of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities.
During the meeting, CPE approved several new academic programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Louisville and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Kentucky. The council also discussed revisions to key performance indicators and strategic planning documents, as part of their ongoing mid-term review.
Strategic improvements outlined by Dr. Ryan Quarles, president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, focused on enhancing the system’s effectiveness in alignment with Senate Joint Resolution 179. The Academic and Strategic Initiatives Committee reported plans for a new college access and career planning website, Futuriti, slated to launch in 2025.
Other highlights from the meeting included the approval of an interim capital project to replace a student residence hall at Morehead State University and renovations to the welding lab at Maysville Community and Technical College’s Montgomery campus. Additionally, the Finance Committee provided updates on a proposed tuition-setting timeline for the academic year 2025-26.
The Executive Committee presented a report detailing the agency’s major activities and expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2024, in compliance with Senate Bill 91. The meeting also featured insights from consultants who discussed transformative proposals for Hazard Community and Technical College and the potential expansion of post-baccalaureate offerings at comprehensive universities.
The Council swore in two new members: Sean Garber, CEO of Algar, Inc., from Louisville, and student representative Macy Waddle from the University of Louisville. The next Council meeting is scheduled for January 31, 2025.
