KCTCS Faculty — The unsung heroes of community college

I’ve written before about the bad rap community colleges sometimes receive and the misperceptions that go along with that. Here’s another one. Some people believe our faculty do not have advanced degrees. You might be surprised to know that a master’s degree is required to teach our general education classes and that a good number of our faculty have doctorates.

I’m extremely proud of the faculty at our 16 colleges and appreciate their commitment to lifelong learning. Their influence and the impact they have on students is what carries many of our students across the finish line. 

Unlike universities, KCTCS colleges are open access. That means we are open to all who want to learn. Community colleges were founded with a social justice mission, so because of that, we have a student-first mentality. 

Community college culture is different from universities, and our open access policy is just one reason why. Our students tend to be older, have jobs, have dependents and many are the first in their families to attend college. They have food insecurities, lack of transportation and caregiving responsibilities. 

These real-world situations create a plethora of nonacademic barriers. This fills students with self-doubt and anxiety about college. But our faculty members are there for them, not only as teachers, but also as cheerleaders, mentors and friends. The same goes for our staff. 

Many of us remember a teacher that influenced us sometime in our academic life. Maybe it was an elementary school teacher that made us feel special or a high school teacher who saw potential in us. The same can be said for our college faculty. We frequently hear students say they stayed in school because of a KCTCS faculty member who believed in them. 

Our faculty are helping Kentuckians create better lives. They are the heart and soul of KCTCS and I’m proud to work with them.