West Kentucky Community & Technical College

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West Kentucky Community and Technical College receives Barefoot & Gardner Award

Award presented during Gardner Institute Symposium in Pittsburgh, PA on October 11

Paducah, KY (10/18/2024) — Citing West Kentucky Community and Technical College's dedication to improving the college experience for first-generation, underrepresented minority (URM), low-income, rural, and adult learners, the Gardner Institute announced WKCTC as the two-year institutional recipient of the 2024 Barefoot & Gardner Award on October 11.

The award, presented at the Gardner Institute 2024 Symposium on Transforming the Postsecondary Experience in Pittsburgh, PA, was given in recognition of "the bold and transformative initiative led by the WKCTC President in 2021-22 to holistically review and address gaps in student success."

Based in North Carolina, the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education is a non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with colleges, universities, philanthropic organizations, educators, and other entities to increase institutional responsibility for improving outcomes associated with teaching, learning, retention, and completion.

The award was created and named by friends and colleagues of Drs. Betsy O. Barefoot and John N. Gardner, the Gardner Institute's co-founders, to recognize and honor their deep commitment to and advocacy for more just and equitable postsecondary learning experiences.

"It is a continued privilege to lead such dynamic faculty and staff whose intentional daily commitment to our student's success is reflected in this unique national recognition," said Dr. Anton Reece, president of WKCTC. "This moment motivates us to continue raising the bar and meeting students where they are, because at WKCTC, 'we never underestimate you.'"

Chairs of both the WKCTC and PJC Board of Directors were quick to add their praise of the recognition.

"I was excited and proud when I heard WKCTC had received the Barefoot & Gardner award, but I cannot say I was too surprised," said Jay Simmons, Chair of the WKCTC Board of Directors. "WKCTC has been a top five public institution in the entire nation now for several years, and this is just another example of the great things going on. Dr. Reece and his entire staff are so committed to student success and removing barriers, and to get recognized for all they do is a great honor."

Paducah Junior College (PJC) Board Chair Chris Black also congratulated the college for the award. "It's a great honor for our work in West Kentucky to be recognized as the best in the nation among two-year institutions by the Gardner Institute," said Black. "WKCTC's work, supported by the Paducah Junior College Foundation, lifts the prospects for our community by offering paths forward to a better life, for any person willing to put in the work and effort."

Dr. Reece accepted the award on the college's behalf at the symposium. Also representing the college were Dr. Kate Senn, Vice President of Academic Affairs; Geelyn Warren, Director of Institutional Planning, Research & Effectiveness; Sanci Teague, Dean of Academic Services; and Britton Shurley, Dean of Arts & Sciences.

Senn, Warren, Teague and Shurley presented on the holistic data impact and strategy guiding student success efforts at the college.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) has been recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 10 Community College five times by the Aspen Institute and has been named a Finalist with Distinction three times. Offering more than 200 degree, diploma, and certificate options, WKCTC has been consistently recognized for providing students with vital job training and continuing higher education opportunities, for achieving high completion and transfer rates, and for providing strong employment results for its graduates. For more information, visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu

Media Attachments

Left to right: John Gardner and Betsy Barefoot, (co-founders of the Institute, and namesakes of the award), Britton Shurley, Sanci Teague, Geelyn Warren, Dr. Kate Senn, Dr. Anton Reece, and Drew Koch (CEO of the Gardner Institute), and Sara Koch, Gardner Institute Fellow and Senior Associate for Institutional Support.

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