SIMPSON COUNTY COMMUNITY INVESTS IN EARLY COLLEGE MODEL WITH SKYCTC

Bowling Green, KY (August 16 ,2013) –Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (formerly Bowling Green Technical College) announced today that thanks to the generous donation from five local organizations, over 80 students from Franklin-Simpson High School and the Simpson County Learning Opportunity Center will earn free college credit this fall. The Simpson County On Track Scholarship Fund is a collaborative initiative among the City of Franklin, Simpson County Fiscal Court, the Franklin-Simpson Industrial Development Authority, Kentucky Downs, and Franklin Bank and Trust Company.

According to Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) President Dr. Phil Neal, “The On Track program strengthens students’ abilities to be college and career ready upon high school graduation by providing a high quality college education. Students can live at home and utilize the support networks within their high school while beginning their higher education career.”

“I’m the oldest of 4 and the first person in my family to go to college, and this program made it affordable. I am very excited about the news today and my goal is to complete all my classes with a 4.0”, said Hannah McKinney, a Franklin-Simpson High senior who is taking three classes this semester at SKYCTC as part of the On Track program. She plans to take an additional three classes next semester to get a jump on a career in the health care industry.

“I am really surprised about the announcement today”, said Payne Williams, another Franklin-Simpson High senior, “and I really think that it will help parents”. Williams is participating in the On Track program for the first time and is looking forward to college math.

Dr. James B. McCaslin serves as the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Director of the SKYCTC Franklin-Simpson Center. “For several years now, SKYCTC has partnered with Simpson County Schools to provide early access to college-level coursework. The establishment of this scholarship is yet another indication of the progressive, collaborative, and innovative spirit one finds regularly in the leadership of Franklin and Simpson County.”