SCC president speaks about appeal of community colleges at luncheon

Sometimes there are students that can’t afford to go to a four-year university. Sometimes there are students that aren’t quite academically where they need to be yet.

Dr. Carey Castle, who is president and CEO of Somerset Community College (SCC), was the keynote speaker during the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s monthly membership luncheon Tuesday.

The 16 state community colleges that are part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) realize that there are various reasons that students might choose to attend a community or technical college, including life events, which prevent them from attending class on a full-time basis. About 66 percent of students are part-time.

“We understand students have other lives. That things happen outside of school. We understand some are supporting kids or just trying to make ends meet,” noted Dr. Carey Castle, who is president and CEO of Somerset Community College (SCC).

“When they come in, we can assess them academically and help them get that background they need to be successful in regular classes and to complete a program they choose,” Castle added.

KCTCS offers students tools to help get them through school, such as tutoring or help with child care, he said.

This was part of the message that Castle delivered to the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce during its monthly membership luncheon Tuesday, which was held at The Corbin Center.

Castle noted that the community colleges have the same required standards as any of their sister universities.

“Our instructors must be qualified to the same level, and classes must meet the same criteria. Our classes will directly transfer to all of these state universities and institutions,” Castle said. “We’re not cheaper; just less costly. Students are getting the same quality teachers at a level they should expect from a university.”

About half of students enrolled at SCC are on a transfer track to go onto a four-year university while paying about half as much for tuition their first two years of college.

Forcht Bank sponsored Tuesday’s Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce monthly membership luncheon, which was held at The Corbin Center. Above, Mike Sharpe spoke briefly during the event.

Castle noted that 66 percent of students paid zero tuition due to financial aid, and 89 percent of students got some type of financial aid in 2020. In addition, 73 percent of students graduated without any type of student loan.

During the last academic year, KCTCS had 101,000 students enrolled, awarded 38,000 degrees or certifications, and taught over 1.2 million credit hours.

KCTCS also graduated 14,500 people with over 30,000 target industry credentials.

“Those students, our employees and our alumni contribute about $3.5 billion to the Kentucky economy. Yet, we don’t have a football or basketball team … We don’t have dormitories either. Remember, our focus is on communities,” Castle said.

Castle noted that degrees from community colleges have value.

On average, people with an associate’s degree make $154 more per week than those with only a high school diploma. Also, the unemployment rate for those with an associate’s degree averages 4.6 percent compared to 6.2 percent for those with only a high school diploma.

“On average, SCC graduates will earn $8,200 more per year or nearly $340,000 more over a 40-year career before promotions and raises, but our value to students and communities doesn’t stop there … Each dollar spent on education by a student at SCC will be multiplied to $7.20 for the student in value, $4.40 for the taxpayers in added revenue and public sector savings, and $11 for society for other revenue and social savings,” Castle said.

Forcht Bank was the luncheon sponsor for Tuesday’s chamber luncheon.

Bojangles provided the catering.