Student Success
Community and Outreach
Morehead State joins University Center of Southern Kentucky partnership
U.
S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers and Governor Matt Bevin joined state and local officials, and leaders of Somerset Community College (SCC) to announce four university partnerships that will allow local students to earn a bachelor’s degree through the new University Center of Southern Kentucky in Somerset. The university partners include: Morehead State University (MSU), Western Kentucky University (WKU), Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), and the University of Kentucky (UK).
The new University Center of Southern Kentucky (UCSK) will open with the Fall 2019 semester on the campus of Somerset Community College (SCC), allowing third and fourth-year students to continue pursuing their degrees close to home.
"I believe that if we can keep just one generation of our brightest students here at home to earn a college degree and make a good living, we could transform the future of Southern and Eastern Kentucky," said Congressman Rogers. "The average college student graduates with a debt of $29,800, the highest in U.S. history. In addition to providing a great college education, UCSK will help drastically reduce student debt right out of the gate."
"This is an exciting day for students in the Lake Cumberland region, who will now have an opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree while continuing to live and work in the communities they love," said Gov. Bevin. "I applaud the ingenuity and vision of Congressman Rogers and Dr. Castle, and I am grateful for the program’s public university partners for coming alongside Somerset Community College to make this program a reality."
The University Center of Southern Kentucky is one of only a handful of collaborative institutions of its kind nationwide. Serving as an important link for community development and individual opportunities, the University Center provides partnerships, educational programs, an interactive "hub" for student use and student learning resource support services.
"Part of Morehead State University’s dedication to student success is not just an experience that combines personalized attention and quality academic programs, but also making that experience accessible and affordable to students and families," said Morehead State President Dr. Jay Morgan. "This partnership with Somerset Community College and the other partnering universities is yet another way MSU is demonstrating our continued commitment to access and affordability for the citizens of southern Kentucky."
Students will be eligible for enrollment in the Fall 2019 semester for MSU, EKU, and WKU. Degrees through UK will be available in the Spring 2020 semester. Program details will be announced by each university as they continue working in coordination with the University Center of Southern Kentucky.
After completing a two-year degree at SCC, students will be able to choose from the partnering university of their choice and have access to student support services to complete a four-year degree at the Somerset campus.
"SCC is proud to partner with EKU, Morehead, WKU and UK at the University Center of Southern Kentucky, which will extend our reach and better serve the residents of the Southern Kentucky region," said Dr. Carey Castle, president and CEO of SCC. "Our goal is to provide access to education that leads to careers and continued education, and the University Center of Southern Kentucky is an excellent way to do just that. SCC students in the surrounding counties will benefit from convenient access to an excellent education while they travel a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree and beyond. It’s a win-win-win for SCC, the four-year universities, and students."
For more information, contact Dr. Dan Connell, MSU assistant vice president for regional education and outreach at 606-783-2612 or d.connell@moreheadstate.edu or Trent Pool, director of the University Center of Southern Kentucky at trent.pool@kctcs.edu.
S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers and Governor Matt Bevin joined state and local officials, and leaders of Somerset Community College (SCC) to announce four university partnerships that will allow local students to earn a bachelor’s degree through the new University Center of Southern Kentucky in Somerset. The university partners include: Morehead State University (MSU), Western Kentucky University (WKU), Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), and the University of Kentucky (UK). The new University Center of Southern Kentucky (UCSK) will open with the Fall 2019 semester on the campus of Somerset Community College (SCC), allowing third and fourth-year students to continue pursuing their degrees close to home.
"I believe that if we can keep just one generation of our brightest students here at home to earn a college degree and make a good living, we could transform the future of Southern and Eastern Kentucky," said Congressman Rogers. "The average college student graduates with a debt of $29,800, the highest in U.S. history. In addition to providing a great college education, UCSK will help drastically reduce student debt right out of the gate."
"This is an exciting day for students in the Lake Cumberland region, who will now have an opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree while continuing to live and work in the communities they love," said Gov. Bevin. "I applaud the ingenuity and vision of Congressman Rogers and Dr. Castle, and I am grateful for the program’s public university partners for coming alongside Somerset Community College to make this program a reality."
The University Center of Southern Kentucky is one of only a handful of collaborative institutions of its kind nationwide. Serving as an important link for community development and individual opportunities, the University Center provides partnerships, educational programs, an interactive "hub" for student use and student learning resource support services.
"Part of Morehead State University’s dedication to student success is not just an experience that combines personalized attention and quality academic programs, but also making that experience accessible and affordable to students and families," said Morehead State President Dr. Jay Morgan. "This partnership with Somerset Community College and the other partnering universities is yet another way MSU is demonstrating our continued commitment to access and affordability for the citizens of southern Kentucky."
Students will be eligible for enrollment in the Fall 2019 semester for MSU, EKU, and WKU. Degrees through UK will be available in the Spring 2020 semester. Program details will be announced by each university as they continue working in coordination with the University Center of Southern Kentucky.
After completing a two-year degree at SCC, students will be able to choose from the partnering university of their choice and have access to student support services to complete a four-year degree at the Somerset campus.
"SCC is proud to partner with EKU, Morehead, WKU and UK at the University Center of Southern Kentucky, which will extend our reach and better serve the residents of the Southern Kentucky region," said Dr. Carey Castle, president and CEO of SCC. "Our goal is to provide access to education that leads to careers and continued education, and the University Center of Southern Kentucky is an excellent way to do just that. SCC students in the surrounding counties will benefit from convenient access to an excellent education while they travel a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree and beyond. It’s a win-win-win for SCC, the four-year universities, and students."
For more information, contact Dr. Dan Connell, MSU assistant vice president for regional education and outreach at 606-783-2612 or d.connell@moreheadstate.edu or Trent Pool, director of the University Center of Southern Kentucky at trent.pool@kctcs.edu.
