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One-Of-A-Kind Education Center in Hardin County to Offer New Pathways for Students

Hardin County Schools and WKU are partnering to create an Early College and Career Center. The partnership announced Thursday also includes Elizabethtown Community and Technical College and the Central Kentucky Community Foundation.

The result will be a new building where Hardin County school students can take courses in several career pathways, including engineering, manufacturing, automotive technology, media arts, and health sciences.

Hardin County Schools Superintendent Nanette Johnston told WKU Public Radio the center will offer students a new way to prepare for either the workforce or postsecondary education.

"We have to get out of this mindset that if you don't go to college you have to go to a vocational school. This is not a vocational school like you and I might be familiar with," said Johnston.

WKU faculty will teach classes at the Early College and Career Center during the day and college courses in the evenings once the high school students go home.

"And from a selfish perspective, WKU will be offering dual enrollment courses for Hardin County schools sophomores, juniors, and seniors that will apply towards a baccalaureate degree from WKU," said WKU President Gary Ransdell.

The Early College and Career Center will be built near the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, on land donated for $1 by Central Kentucky Community Foundation.

Kevin is the News Director at WKU Public Radio. He has been with the station since 1999, and was previously the Assistant News Director, and also served as local host of Morning Edition.
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