FROM THE PRESIDENT Aaron Thompson, Ph.D.

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

Each year, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education publishes a Progress Report to show how the state and campuses are faring on key performance indicators associated with the statewide strategic agenda for postsecondary education. Additionally, the report highlights activities CPE is leading to advance our key priorities: affordability, transitions, success, talent and value, with equity as a cross-cutting concern.

I am pleased to report that undergraduate enrollment has nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, increasing 6.5% at KCTCS and 1.6% at public universities over the previous fall. First-year to second-year retention is at an all-time high, surpassing 80% at public universities and 60% at KCTCS. These gains are translating into a more highly skilled workforce. Currently, 55.1% of working-age Kentucky is on pace to achieve its educational attainment goal of 60% by the year 2030, which will accelerate economic development and raise our standard of living and quality of life.

These gains are translating into a more highly skilled workforce. Currently, 55.1% of working-age Kentucky is on pace to achieve its educational attainment goal of 60% by the year 2030, which will accelerate economic development and raise our standard of living and quality of life.

Other positive outcomes for the 2022-23 academic year include:

  • a 13.3% increase in credentials awarded to underrepresented minority (URM) students at KCTCS, and a 6.9% increase in bachelor's degrees awarded to URM students at public universities.
  • a 7.8% increase in graduate degrees awarded by public universities, and an 11.7% increase in graduate degrees awarded to URM students.
  • a 4.8% increase in credentials awarded by KCTCS.
  • a 3.4% decrease in the average annual amount of unmet financial need for undergraduates at public universities, which fell from $9,691 to $9,359. This number represents the amount owed for a year of college after savings, scholarships and loans have been applied.

I am proud of what Kentucky's higher education community has accomplished, and I am positive this success is creating a stronger, more vibrant Commonwealth.

Sincerely,

Aaron Thompson, Ph.D., President Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education