Western Kentucky University and Somerset Community College formally signed an agreement Thursday that will lead to expanded degree offerings in Pulaski County.
The partnership will allow WKU to offer bachelor’s degrees through SCC, a two-year college. The aim is to increase access for Pulaski County-area students with work or family obligations who need to remain in the region.
SCC President Carey Castle said increasing local college degree holders will have a wide-ranging impact.
“I was in a meeting this morning with Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority, and those industry individuals are just looking forward to this opportunity to get university graduates in the area.”
Beth Laves, Associate Vice President for Extended Learning and Outreach at WKU, said partnering with Somerset Community College helps WKU enhance its footprint in southeastern Kentucky.
“As a regional university, our mission is our region and the students in Kentucky. So, moving bachelor’s degrees farther across our state is important to us, and this partnership just extends the work we’ve already done with articulation agreements, and through our joint admissions program and advising programs, we’ll be able to move those students toward bachelor’s degrees.”
WKU is one of four universities planning to offer four-year degrees at Somerset Community College. The others are the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, and Morehead State.
