WKCTC Named To The Top 120 U.S. Community Colleges In The Nation For A Second Year By The Aspen Inst

Nation’s Signature Recognition of Excellence, Chosen from over 1,000 Community Colleges Which Serve Nearly Half of All Undergraduates in U.S. Focus on Excellence as Defined by Learning Outcomes, Degree Completion, Equity and Employment After College

West Kentucky Community and Technical College has been named one of 120 community colleges in the nation eligible to compete in the 2013 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

WKCTC was named a Finalist with Distinction and one of the top five community colleges in the nation in last year’s competition.

Highlighting the critical importance of improving student success in America’s community colleges, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named today120 top community colleges, challenging them to compete for the $1 million fund for the 2013 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.  The Aspen Institute identified the 120 community colleges—10 percent of all institutions—using a quantitative formula that assesses performance and improvement in four areas: graduation rates, degrees awarded, student retention rates, and equity in student outcomes.  These colleges will now compete for the prestigious honor following a year-long research process into how well their students learn, complete degrees, and get jobs with competitive wages after graduating.  A full list of the 120 community colleges is available at www.AspenPrize.org. Prize winners will be announced in March 2013.

In addition to WKCTC, four other Kentucky community colleges were named eligible to compete. They are Hazard Community and Technical College, Madisonville Community College, Somerset Community College and Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College.

The inaugural Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence was awarded to the 70,000-student Valencia College (Orlando, Florida) in December 2011. It was the first broad national recognition of extraordinary accomplishments at individual community colleges.

Some seven million students – youth and adult learners – enroll in America’s 1,200 community colleges every year.

“The success of our nation’s community colleges is more important than ever before,” said Aspen Institute College Excellence Program Executive Director Josh Wyner who yesterday announced the names of the 120 top community colleges at the annual convention of the American Association of Community Colleges in Orlando, Florida. “At a time when a college degree is essential to entering the middle class, community colleges offer the most promising path to education and employment for literally millions of Americans.  This competition spotlights excellence and helps raise the bar for all community colleges to improve student achievement and better prepare the next generation for the job market after college.”  The 120 community colleges announced today were selected from a national pool of over 1,000 public two-year colleges using publicly available data on student outcomes. The data were analyzed by an expert advisory committee co-chaired by William Trueheart, CEO of Achieving the Dream, and Keith Bird, former chancellor of the Kentucky Community College System.

The data focuses on completion, considered from three perspectives:

• Performance (retention, graduation rates including transfers, and degrees and certificates per 100 “full time equivalent” students)
• Improvement (awarded for steady improvement in each performance metric over time)
• Equity (evidence of completion outcomes for minority and low-income students)

These community colleges have been invited to submit applications containing detailed data on degree/certificate completion (including progress and transfer rates), labor market outcomes (employment and earnings) and student learning outcomes. They must demonstrate that they deliver exceptional student results for all students – including those who come from racial minority and/or low-income backgrounds – and also use data to inform decisions and continually improve over time.

Ten finalists will be named in September. The Aspen Institute will conduct site visits to each of the finalists in the fall. A distinguished Prize Jury co-chaired by John Engler, president of Business Roundtable, former Michigan Governor, and former president of the National Association of Manufacturers and Richard Riley, former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education, will select a grand prize winner and four runners-up, to be announced in March 2013.

“American employers have jobs open right now but lack enough skilled, educated workers to fill them,” Engler said. “The job training programs at community colleges must play a central role in filling those gaps and preparing the American workforce. Community colleges’ success will help determine whether and in what sectors America will continue to lead in the global economy.”

While every community college faces challenges, particularly in today’s economic climate, Secretary Riley underscored the importance of improving outcomes for community college students, the majority of whom are underrepresented minorities: “Many community colleges across this country are doing an excellent job of boosting student success, but we need to encourage all community colleges to achieve excellence. When students learn more, graduate or transfer to four-year institutions, and get competitive-wage jobs after college, it helps everyone - students, employers and our nation’s economy as a whole.”

WKCTC Co-Sponsors Family Event - The Super Fun Show - on April 14

West Kentucky Community and Technical College has joined forces with the Western Area Chapter of the Kentucky Association for Early Childhood Education and Learning Railroad to host The Super Fun Show on April 14.

The Super Fun Show is a curriculum enhancement program that teaches children life lessons in a fun and interactive environment.  Comedian, musician and educator, Shawn Brown, is the creator and host of The Super Fun Show, and uses the program to encourage young children to explore the world around them.

“The Super Fun Show is great family fun that promotes the social-emotional development in young children,” said La Donna Butler, WKCTC Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator and The Super Fun Show public relations director.

Brown teaches about various life skills such as good manners, motor skill development and aerobic activity through music, movement, singing, laughing and more.

“WKCTC is proud to take part in an event that will encourage children and families to join together in a fun learning atmosphere to build confidence and enthusiasm in the community,” said Butler.

The Super Fun Show will be held at the Robert Cherry Civic Center on April 14, 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with activities and food for the family.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children.

For more information and advanced tickets, contact the Learning Railroad at (270) 444-9986.

Posted by Nikki D. May on 4/12/2012 0 Comments

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Brisket on Broadway

WZZL 106.7 and bbQ &  More are bringing the competition to the streets this May, with Brisket on Broadway!  On May 12th, 2012 from 11am to 4pm, bbQ and More will be hosting a Brisket competition, and selling Brisket Sandwich’s and drinks to fundraise for the main BBQ on the River event later this year. If you have a mouth-watering Brisket recipe that your friends rave about, please join the fun and stop by bbQ & More at 321 Broadway to pick up your entry form. 
Entries will be judged based on tenderness, flavor of the meat and overall impression.

For more information on the event, rules, dates and judging please call Susie or David at 534.5951.

The day of the event, WZZL 106.7 Paducah’s ONLY rock station will provide the fun and music on location and you can enjoy a sandwich, drinks and fun while waiting to see if your Brisket is selected as the BEST in the area!  Certified and Celebrity judges will be making their choice by 4pm on May 12th, 2012 so don’t wait…get your entry form now and see if you have the best Brisket on Broadway!

Posted by Nikki D. May on 4/10/2012 0 Comments

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Inaugural Martini Tasting Event Supports Regional Health Agency

On May 1, 2012, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Heartland CARES, Inc. will launch SpringTINI, a martini-tasting event on historic Market House Square in Paducah.

Six restaurants – Cynthia’s, Doe’s Eat Place, JP’s Bar & Grill, Max’s, Shandies and Tribeca – have developed signature martinis to serve alongside hors d’oeuvres chosen to complement their special cocktail.  Other shops and businesses on Market House Square will be open to host silent auction items and allow attendees to browse and buy.  Live entertainment and other attractions will contribute to the festive atmosphere.

“This is going to be a truly outstanding event, one we plan to build on in the future,” stated Event Committee Chairperson and Heartland CARES Board Member Kerri Brotherson.  “Ticket holders will enjoy a fun and relaxing evening strolling through Market House Square, sampling signature martinis and small plate offerings from our partner restaurants and bidding on wonderful items like jewelry from Michaelson’s, vacation packages, tickets to sporting events, autographed memorabilia and much more!”

Heartland CARES Executive Director Sue Moore Fenske expressed appreciation for the event’s sponsors.  “We are very grateful to Lourdes Hospital, Four Rivers Harley Davidson, Skyy Vodka, CSI, Walgreens, Paducah Bank and Office Depot for their support of this inaugural event,” said Fenske.  “Proceeds from SpringTINI will support programs and services provided by Heartland CARES, including primary and specialty medical care and social services support for those impacted by HIV infection as well as prevention outreach and community education activities designed to reduce the number of new HIV infections.” 

WHAT: SpringTINI, a martini-tasting event
WHERE: Market House Square in downtown Paducah
WHEN: Tuesday, May 1st, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
WHO: Persons 21 and older
WHY: A benefit to support the programs and services of Heartland CARES
HOW: Tickets can be purchased online using the link at www.hcares.org or by phone at 888-71-TICKETS or at Heartland CARES Paducah facility.

About Heartland CARES: Heartland CARES, Inc. is a non‐profit organization providing comprehensive, client‐centered, quality health care, support services, prevention education, and HIV testing to persons infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.  Within the community, we strive to prevent new infections and reduce the stigma associated with this disease by promoting awareness, acceptance, and equality.  Heartland CARES serves 27 counties in the Purchase, Pennyrile and Barren River Districts of Western Kentucky as well as 19 counties in Southern Illinois.  Services at Heartland CARES are provided to all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. 

Posted by Nikki D. May on 4/9/2012 0 Comments

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Feast for Saint Nick: April 14th

Have you ever wondered what’s behind the doors of some of the most beautiful homes in Paducah? Well, now is your chance to not only get a look inside, but also sit down with the owners for dinner and help raise money for St. Nicholas Family Clinic.

St. Nicholas will host the 4th Annual Feast for St. Nick fundraiser, on Saturday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. Seven local homeowners will host a dinner party that will help the clinic raise funds to provide much-needed health care to working families without health insurance or government aid. Attendees will enjoy an elegant dinner prepared by Laura Duff’s Pampered Palate.

Tickets are $75 per person or $140 per couple. All proceeds benefit St. Nicholas Family Clinic.

Event is sponsored by US Bank, Lourdes Hospital, Harrah’s Metropolis, CSI, BB&T, Peel & Holland, P&L Railway

For more information or to purchase tickets contact Brandi Harless, 575.3247.

Posted by Nikki D. May on 4/4/2012 1 Comments

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Start Walking, Kentucky! National Walking Day is April 4, 2012

American Heart Association encourages wearing sneakers, walking 30 minutes during workday.

Regular physical activity is critical in maintaining a healthy heart, which is why the American Heart Association calls on Kentucky residents to begin a 30-minute walking routine on National Walking Day – April 4, 2012. On this day, individuals and company groups are encouraged to wear tennis shoes to work and get moving for a healthier heart. 

National Walking Day is a part of My Heart. My Life.; the American Heart Association’s national initiative to help Americans live a healthier lifestyle through increased physical activity and healthy eating to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Workplaces have proven to be important environments to foster a culture for exercise as Americans now work 164 more hours per year than 20 years ago and jobs have become increasingly sedentary. 

In January 2010, the American Heart Association defined the seven key factors to ideal cardiovascular health. Physical activity is one of those factors, but only 15 percent of American adults achieve the association’s recommended levels of moderate aerobic exercise (150 or more minutes per week) My Heart. My Life. encourages all Americans to get started on a regular walking program as a way to achieve their physical activity goals and to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 30%.

The American Heart Association is committed to getting people engaged in physical activity so they can live longer, healthier lives,” said Erika Furlong, Sr. Heart Walk Director of the American Heart Association. “More than 67% of American adults are considered overweight and obese and nearly 70% are not engaging in regular physical activity. It’s imperative that people know how important 30 minutes of walking a day is to their cardiovascular health. Just a few extra steps a day is a simple and easy way to take an active role in maintaining a significantly healthier life.”

National Walking Day and the My Heart. My Life. healthy behavior platform is nationally sponsored by SUBWAY® and Jenny Craig®. 

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About National Walking Day
National Walking Day is a nationwide call-to-action for Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Your company can help employees take the first step in becoming more active by participating. Join thousands across the nation as they wear their sneakers to work on April 4, 2012, and pledge to start a healthier lifestyle as part of this annual event.

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke — America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.

Posted by Nikki D. May on 4/2/2012 0 Comments

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Men Who Cook Reports Record-Breaking Success!

On March 10 the Purchase Area Sexual Assault & Child Advocacy Center hosted its 7th annual Men Who Cook fundraising event at the Julian Carroll Convention Center. Forty-eight “local celebrity” men participated as chefs for this year’s event each providing 100+ appetizer-sized samplings of a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Well over 400 attendees participated in this year’s festivities that also included a silent and live art auction and live music by Paducah’s own Solid Rock’It Boosters rockabilly band. Profits from this year’s event exceed $26,000. All proceeds will be used to help PASAC further its mission to provide support and healing to adults and children in the Purchase Area who are impacted by sexual abuse and sexual violence.

PASAC would like to specifically thank the iList team for their support and assistance in promoting this important event. The PASAC team was thrilled to see Men Who Cook featured as the iList “Hottest Event” for the week of March 4th and saw a surge in ticket sales that week, no doubt due to that exposure.

PASAC also thanks all of the attendees, chefs, sponsors, volunteers, and artists who participated in Men Who Cook 2012 and this year a record-breaking success.  Save the date for Men Who Cook 2013: March 9, 2013!

Amy Clevidence
Associate Director
Purchase Area Sexual Assault & Child Advocacy Center
534.4422

Posted by Nikki D. May on 3/26/2012 0 Comments

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