SKCTC one of five in state to receive grant benefitting parenting students

Published on Sep 16, 2025

Balancing college coursework with parenting responsibilities is no small feat. At Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College, that challenge is being met with renewed support thanks to a $60,000 planning grant aimed at improving outcomes for student-parents.

Southeast is one of five Kentucky institutions awarded a grant through the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative (KYSSC), an initiative of the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). The initiative also includes Morehead State University, Northern Kentucky University, Maysville Community & Technical College, and Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College.

“This grant represents a meaningful step forward in our mission to support all students, especially those balancing academics with parenting,” said Dr. Lee Harrison, president of SKCTC. “We’re proud to be part of this statewide initiative and excited to develop new strategies that will make college more accessible and achievable for parenting students.”
 

 

 

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College joins four other Kentucky schools in a $60,000 planning grant aimed at improving outcomes for student-parents.

The grant will cover a nine-month process to conduct a needs assessment, identify partners for collaboration, develop an action plan, and launch at least one pilot initiative. Strategies under development include affordable childcare options through campus-based centers or partnerships with community providers, as well as dedicated study spaces and flexible scheduling to better accommodate parenting students.

“This grant is a tremendous opportunity for Southeast to strengthen our commitment to student success,” said student affairs vice president Dr. Rebecca Johnson, who will lead the planning process in Middlesboro with later expansion across all SKCTC locations. “We know that parenting students face unique challenges, and this initiative will help us build the infrastructure and partnerships needed to support them more effectively.”

The Council on Postsecondary Education is the state’s higher education coordinating agency, which champions high-quality, inclusive and affordable postsecondary opportunities that prepare students for civic engagement and sustainable careers.