New Members Appointed to KCTCS Board of Regents

Versailles, Kentucky — The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) welcomed four new members and two returning members to its Board of Regents during a recent meeting. The event took place in Versailles, marking an important step in shaping the future of the state’s community and technical colleges.

Among the new appointees, Tiffany Kelley-Jenkins was appointed by Governor Andy Beshear in September. Kelley-Jenkins, president of Kelley Manufacturing, Inc. in Louisville, will serve a term through September 2, 2030. Her expertise in manufacturing is expected to bring valuable insights to the board.

In addition to Kelley-Jenkins, staff elections resulted in the selection of Raeanne Powers as the occupational, technical staff regent. Powers serves as a human resources development partner at Bluegrass Community and Technical College. Ryan Hall, the director of adult education at Owensboro Community and Technical College, was elected as the general education regent. Both will serve three-year terms.

Students also had representation with Robert Higdon from Hazard being elected to an open seat for a one-year term. Higdon is currently a student at Hazard Community and Technical College.

Returning members include Brianna Sanders Whitten, who was re-elected as the general education faculty regent. Whitten teaches English at Maysville Community and Technical College. The faculty also re-elected Marty Sutherland as the occupational, technical education faculty regent. Sutherland is a professor of engineering and electronics technology at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

The KCTCS Board of Regents includes a total of 14 members. Eight members are appointed by the governor, while six are elected from within the KCTCS system. This includes two faculty members elected by faculty, two staff members elected by non-teaching personnel, and two student representatives elected by the student body.

These appointments and elections reflect KCTCS’s dedication to providing leadership and representation from diverse sectors within the educational community, ensuring that the voices of students, faculty, and staff are heard in the governance of the state’s community and technical colleges.