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 twoyear 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 a part of KCTCS, Southeast is exceeding expectations and already making a significant impact. For example:

Educational Access Since 1999, Southeast's credit enrollment in associate degree, certificate, and diploma programs has increased by 86 percent. Presently five campus locations in Cumberland, Harlan, Middlesboro, Pineville and Whitesburg offer students convenient and affordable access to quality postsecondary education. In addition, Southeast provides more than 40 classes via distance learning (e.g. ITV and web-based) each semester.

Educational Attainment More than 7,000 students have already graduated with associate degrees that transfer to fouryear institutions of higher education or with certificates or diplomas in specific areas that lead directly to employment. Thousands more have completed courses at Southeast to obtain competencies and job skills to get a better or higher paying job. Southeast is a leading provider of adult basic education and GED preparation for hundreds of southeastern Kentuckians each year. There's a payoff for educational attainment. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, students who complete associate degrees and certificates are more likely to move into higherstatus management and professional positions with higher incomes. Students who earn associate degrees average lifetime earnings of $250,000 more than those without degrees.

Employability - Southeast students learn real-world knowledge and applications, based on guidance from industry partners such as ARH, BellSouth, Britthaven, Black Mountain Resources LLC, Cisco Systems, Data Futures, Inc., PCH, UPS, and many more. Since becoming part of KCTCS, the College has expanded program offerings in industrial technology and has added certificates to most of the technical offerings. Business Administration is an example. This program area has been expanded from a single associate degree with three options to a degree with five options and eighteen certificates. Students can now complete a diploma or degree a few courses at a time or pursue a specialty within the degree structure.

All of these changes have been in direct response to employers' requests to prepare students for employment in southeastern Kentucky. Southeast is playing a lead role in the implementation of the statewide Employability Certificate to assure employers that potential workers have the necessary competencies and skills to be successful. And 67 individuals on public assistance have graduated from the nationally recognized ReadytoWork (RTW) Program at the College. Of those 67, approximately 25 have gone on to fouryear institutions to pursue baccalaureate degrees while others have remained at Southeast to pursue a second degree or certificate. Another 13 RTW graduates are employed locally. In all, since the RTW Program started at Southeast in 1999, 310 individuals on public assistance have been assisted.

Community and Economic Development - With a strong and active Office of Community and Economic Development, the College is engaged in training and educating the workforce, promoting business startups and expansions, and in developing and expanding the area's industrial base. Working through its Small Business Development Center, Pine Mountain Development Corporation, and the Mine Training Institute, Southeast delivers a variety of speciallytailored programs and services. By providing business and industrial clients with access to training, capital, and the expertise to deal with state and federal bureaucracies, the College is helping to broaden and revitalize the area's economy. Working with several partners, including local governments, industrial authorities, area development districts, and lending agencies, the College has not only helped to create hundreds of new jobs, but helped thousands of others to upgrade their knowledge and skills. Cultural Enrichment Through its sponsorship of a performing arts series and two community theaters (Cumberland and Middlesboro), and through communitybased programming from its Godbey Appalachian Center, the College serves as the hub for cultural enrichment activities in the area. Also, the College is host to local festivals: Kingdom Come Swappin' Meetin', Cumberland Mountain Fall Festival, and Treasurers from the Hills and Hollows. Southeast helps to preserve, document and disseminate information about the rich and multifaceted heritage of the mountains of eastern Kentucky. During an average year, more than 30,000 individuals attend or participate in an event sponsored by the College.