LEXINGTON, KY – The Rotary Club of Lexington will hold its weekly meeting on Thursday, Nov. 7, at The Mane on Main, Chase Bank building on Main St. The guest speakers are Dr. Ryan Quarles, President, Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) and Dr. Greg Feeney, President, Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC).
This meeting will also be on Zoom. For the Zoom link please email, trafton@rotarylexky.org.
If you would like to have lunch, please contact Jenny@rotarylexky.org to reserve your meal.
It was nearly one year ago today, that Dr. Ryan Quarles began his tenure as the fourth president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). Today Rotarians will hear from Dr. Quarles and Dr. Greg Feeney, president of Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) as they present a program entitled “Milestones and the Path Forward.”
KCTCS is the most affordable and accessible higher education institution in Kentucky. With sixteen colleges, seventy campuses, and 100,000 students, KCTCS is a key player in workforce development and economic vitality across the Commonwealth. Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) is one of the sixteen colleges within KCTCS with seven campuses within a 30-minute drive of 95% of Central Kentuckians. BCTC enrolls over 16,000 students annually and provides training to more than 2,000 employees. As an open access institution, they are dedicated to removing barriers, meeting students where they are at, and providing comprehensive wraparound services that empower every student to succeed. Their commitment extends beyond the classroom; by supporting our local industries and communities, they foster a thriving ecosystem where education meets opportunity. They are building pathways to success for their students and strengthening the communities they serve.
Dr. Quarles is the first native Kentuckian to lead KCTCS. He was named president by the KCTCS Board of Regents Sept. 29, 2023, following a national search. Quarles began his position Jan. 1, 2024. Quarles comes to KCTCS with a long history in statewide public service. He was first elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2010 where he served until his election as Kentucky’s state commissioner of agriculture in 2016. In that role, he led the state’s second largest executive branch agency through 2023, serving two terms. On the national front, he was president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture in 2020-2021. Quarles holds seven college degrees including a doctorate from Vanderbilt University. He is also a ninth generation Kentucky farmer.
Dr. Feeney is the fourth president of BCTC. Previously he was provost, serving as the chief academic officer and student affairs officer. He has been engaged in workforce development for multiple industry sectors including manufacturing, financial services, information technology, and healthcare. Dr. Feeney served in other administrative roles including Vice President of Academics and Workforce Development, Dean of Academics, Dean of Academic Support, and Assistant Dean of History, Languages, and Social Sciences at the college. He achieved the faculty rank of full professor and has been at BCTC since 1998. He earned his doctorate at the University of Kentucky and completed his masters at Northern Illinois University.
Rotary in Review
KCTCS AND BCTC: MILESTONES AND THE PATH FORWARD
Last week the Rotary Club of Lexington welcomed Dr. Ryan Quarles, President of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), and Dr. Greg Feeney, President of Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC), as our featured speakers. Their joint presentation, Milestones and The Path Forward, provided an insightful look at how Kentucky’s community and technical colleges are shaping the future of education and workforce development across the Commonwealth.
Dr. Quarles, who took the helm at KCTCS earlier this year, emphasized the critical role of accessible, affordable higher education in fostering economic mobility and community growth. “KCTCS is more than just an education system; it’s a lifeline for many Kentuckians,” said Quarles. “With sixteen colleges and over seventy campuses, we are meeting students where they are, helping them achieve their goals, and driving economic development in every corner of our state.”
He highlighted several key milestones, including KCTCS’s record-breaking graduation rates and its continued focus on offering programs aligned with Kentucky’s workforce needs. Quarles also stressed the importance of partnerships with local businesses and industries to provide students with real-world skills and opportunities. “We’re not just about getting students to the finish line; we’re preparing them for meaningful careers and lifelong success,” he noted.
Dr. Feeney, a familiar face in the Lexington community, focused on the unique role BCTC plays within the KCTCS system. Serving over 13,000 students annually, BCTC offers a diverse array of programs, from nursing and advanced manufacturing to transfer pathways that allow students to seamlessly transition to four-year institutions.
“We are proud to be a bridge to opportunity,” said Feeney. “Whether it’s a recent high school graduate looking for a cost-effective start to their college journey, a working adult seeking new skills, or a business partner needing customized training for their workforce, BCTC is here to serve.”
Feeney shared several success stories of BCTC graduates who have gone on to make significant impacts in their fields, reinforcing the college’s mission to change lives through education. He also provided an update on BCTC’s upcoming initiatives, including the expansion of dual-credit programs for high school students and new facilities that will enhance the student experience.
Both Quarles and Feeney underscored the transformative power of education and the importance of community support in sustaining their institutions’ missions. They expressed gratitude for the partnerships KCTCS and BCTC have built with organizations like Rotary, which play a vital role in advancing educational and economic opportunities in the region.
The presentation concluded with a Q&A session, where Rotarians asked about everything from tuition affordability to strategies for addressing the state’s skilled labor shortage. Quarles and Feeney reiterated their commitment to keeping education accessible and relevant, ensuring that students are well-equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
- Dan Koett