Despite significant challenges, business, government, and education leaders envision businesses and industries with the competitive edge to succeed in the global economy and citizens with a standard of living that exceeds the national average. To achieve these goals will be no small task. Fortunately, historic legislation in 1997 created the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) by combining the state's public two-year colleges into a more comprehensive, flexible, and responsive system. KCTCS is the Commonwealth's primary catalyst for economic development, community growth, and enhanced educational attainment of our citizens as they strive to succeed in the 21st century.

Now, as part of KCTCS, Hazard Community & Technical College is exceeding expectations and has already made a significant impact. It serves as a partner to meet the needs of business and industry; it is the catalyst and facilitator in economic development; it provides accessible post-secondary education in our service area. More students and businesses are taking advantage of our availability. Enrollment in certificate, diploma and associate degree programs has increased from 2,639 in 1998 to 3,796 in the fall of 2004.

From the spring of 2001 through the summer of 2002, Hazard Community College and Hazard Technical College worked through a successful consolidation process to combine the resources, employees and programs of two institutions into one comprehensive community and technical college. In the summer of 2002, HCC and HTC became HCTC. The institution applied for accreditation as a comprehensive community and technical college in 2002 after the consolidation process was completed. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the accreditation agent, reviewed the policies, programs, records and qualifications of the College, and as a result, accreditation was awarded to HCTC in December, 2003. The successful completion of the consolidation process reflects that the spirit and teamwork displayed by our students, our faculty, and our staff has enabled us to meet important challenges and transform them into opportunities.

In response to the advice of our business, government and civic leaders in our service area, HCTC has identified five initiatives for the Fulfilling the Promise Campaign that will greatly enhance our ability to meet the needs of our students and of our local business and industry employers. Collectively, they will have a tremendous positive impact on our service area of southeastern Kentucky for many years to come.