SENATE COMMITTEE ADVANCES COLLABORATIVE
PLAN TO SUPPORT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 25, 2026) — The Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee has advanced legislation aimed at strengthening Kentucky State University (KSU), marking a collaborative step forward to support the commonwealth’s only historically Black university and position it for long-term success.
“I want to thank the leadership of the Senate and the House, and Chairman McDaniel, for helping us reach this point," Akakpo said. "The path here has not been easy, but we have found a way forward together. The work ahead will require your continued support as we reposition Kentucky State University to be one of the country's premier HBCUs. The past two years have been difficult, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I am confident good things are ahead for this institution.”
The measure, sponsored by Senate Budget Chair Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, reflects ongoing coordination between legislative leaders, university officials and higher education stakeholders to address current challenges while building a stronger foundation for the future. The proposal is designed to support improved financial stability, operational transparency and long-term planning at KSU, while ensuring the university remains focused on its core mission of serving students and expanding opportunity.
Provisions of SB 185 include the following.
Empowers leadership to implement reforms and collect debts
As a result of the bill, Alakpo is granted targeted authority to implement reforms, manage campus operations and make employment decisions necessary to stabilize and strengthen the institution [Section 2, (5)]. The bill also empowers KSU to collect debts owed to the university and to refer those debts to the Kentucky Department of Revenue (DOR) [Section 4 (1) (a-c)]. The bill stipulates that DOR must intercept the debts owed to KSU [Section 4 (2)].
McDaniel and many others have expressed high confidence in Akakpo’s ability and willingness to lead the university into a new era. Akakpo has emphasized the importance of partnership and shared commitment in moving the university forward
In a recent floor speech, McDaniel commended the leadership and dedication he has witnessed in Akakpo
“Dr. Akakpo is leading Kentucky State with integrity and focus under some of the most challenging circumstances imaginable, and his work deserves our full support,” McDaniel acknowledged. “To those who have not met Dr. Akakpo nor seen what he is doing at Kentucky State, you are missing a leader who is performing admirably under some historically daunting circumstances.”
Provides for a transformational institutional reset
The proposed measure enables a transformational institutional reset at KSU while preserving its status as Kentucky’s only public historically Black land-grant institution, aligning its future with a workforce-focused mission.
Advances a polytechnical, workforce-focused model
The measure establishes a transition toward a polytechnical model focused on applied sciences and career-aligned programs [Section 1 (1)]. It directs the university's board of regents to work with the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) to conduct a thorough review of all academic programs. It expands access through online education opportunities and narrows academic focuses to align the university with long-term sustainability [Section 2 (1)].
For five years beginning with the 2026-27 academic year—and excluding areas of study that are exclusively online, in the college of education or determined by CPE to be necessary for KSU’s mission as a polytechnical institution—KSU may offer no more than 10 academic areas of study [Section 2 (4) (a-c)].
Strengthens student success and accountability standards
Under SB 185, new standards are set for students seeking admission to KSU, including a minimum cumulative unweighted high school grade point average of 2.5 and a composite ACT score of at least 18 [Section 3 (1) (a-b)]. Further, the bill stipulates that any individual with a balance owed to KSU in excess of $1,000 and more than 30 days past due shall not be admitted or re-admitted to the university or participate in any courses, seminars or programs [Section 3 (2)].
Establishes financial exigency and enhanced oversight
SB 185 officially declares a state of financial exigency resulting from past leadership failures and mismanagement [Section 3 (3)]. It maintains the existing oversight structure, including the CPE approval requirement over expenditures.
Strengthens financial accountability and transparency
Further, the bill bolsters financial accountability by requiring balanced operations, prohibiting deficit spending, implementing EMARS financial tracking and enhancing real-time oversight [Section 1 (4)].
Enhances oversight and reporting requirements
The bill's provisions require regular financial and operational updates to the CPE and the General Assembly. KSU must provide monthly reports on university finances to CPE in a format to be determined by CPE, and the council will provide quarterly updates to the General Assembly and the governor [Section 1 (3) (b)].
Establishes accountability for campus organization
McDaniel’s measure requires campus organizations and affiliated groups to meet updated expectations for recognition and alignment with university policies.
By July 1, each fraternity or sorority must reapply to KSU for official recognition of the organization’s charter. If the KSU Board of Regents does not reaffirm the charter by August 1, the charter's recognition is revoked [Section 6].
Addresses legacy financial obligations
A provision of the bill is specifically designed to assist KSU in addressing an existing, burdensome legacy financial agreement and to incentivize renegotiation or restructuring of an existing contract [Section 1 (6)].
Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, voted in favor of the bill.
"I think this is a huge opportunity here," Neal said in committee. "We have the right leader in place, we have strong support from the Council on Postsecondary Education and now we need the right policies to get to the objective we all embrace. I have confidence in Dr. Akakpo's leadership and his committement to the future of this instituion. I encourage continued partnership so we can achieve the results we want for Kentucky State."
Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, commended stakeholders "trying to achieve outcomes together."
Collaborative reimagining
Stakeholders say the bill reflects months of review and engagement on how KSU can best and most realistically move forward and reimagine its role in the lives of the students it serves. SB 185 is a meaningful expression of the legislature’s commitment to providing the university with the opportunity to course-correct and thrive by providing the tools and support needed to usher in long-overdue reforms.
CPE President Aaron Thompson joined the committee’s discussion on SB 185 and recognized McDaniel and the leadership of the majority and minority caucuses for their work to craft SB 185.
Like McDaniel and many others, Thompson also commended Akakpo's leadership.
“Working with Dr. Akakpo has been a blessing, and his leadership at Kentucky State University is important as we move forward," Thompson said. "Building a strong campus means investing in both the physical infrastructure and the human infrastructure, and I appreciate the General Assembly’s willingness to partner in that effort.”
McDaniel notes it was a priority to bring people together to develop solutions that support students, the university and the commonwealth as a whole.
“This is about doing what is needed to help KSU survive and thrive,” McDaniel said. “With these steps, I believe we are providing structure and support. “I have a fundamental belief in Dr. Akakpo and that he will make the most of this opportunity and will set KSU on a course to a brighter future.”
Proposes strategic investment in the university’s future
McDaniel, along with House and Senate leaders, is currently in conference committee discussions regarding the state’s next two-year spending plan, which includes general funds support for the commonwealth’s postsecondary institutions.
The state budget is expected to hold KSU's funding steady, and McDaniel has proposed budget language to support campus asset preservation, the transition to a polytechnical institution and the funding to support KSU’s highly prioritized health sciences building, contingent on clean financial reports.
SB 185 now advances to the Senate floor for consideration.