INVESTING IN KENTUCKY'S FUTURE WITHOUT THE BURDEN OF DEBT
In communities like ours, we value hard work, smart choices, and opportunities that pay off. That’s exactly what Kentucky’s communities and technical colleges are delivering, and the numbers prove it.
In the 2024-2025 academic year alone, more than 24,000 Kentuckians earned degrees or credentials though the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). Even more impressive? Seventy-two percent of those students graduated without debt.
That’s more than a talking point. That’s life-changing. At a time when college affordability is a national concern, KCTCS continues to offer practical, career-focused education that’s within reach for Kentuckians from all walks of life. Whether it’s a first-generation college student, a single parent, or someone looking to upskill or change careers, our system is working, and it’s working well.
This debt-free pathway doesn’t just benefit students. It’s a win for our local workforce and economy. Employers across our region are in constant need of well-trained, job-ready talent. Our community colleges are helping fill those gaps with graduates who are equipped with real-world skills and ready to contribute on day one.
We’ve come a long way since the General Assembly had the foresight to create KCTCS over two decades ago. Thanks to continued investment in scholarship programs, modern training facilities, and innovative partnerships with industry, we are reaping the benefits of that vision today, right here in our own backyards.
I’m proud to support Kentucky’s community and technical colleges. They are opening doors, lifting burdens, and creating real opportunity for the people we serve. And that’s exactly what public education should do.
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Sen. Scott Madon, R-Pineville, represents the 29th Senate District, which includes Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, and Letcher Counties. He serves as co-chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement. He also serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Appropriations and Revenue; Economic Development and Workforce Investment; Local Government; Natural Resources and Energy; State Government; and Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology. In addition, he is a member of the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee and was recently appointed to the newly established Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force.
For a high resolution .jpeg of Madon, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate129.jpg