Dr. McCall
Lexington, KY – Dr. Michael B. McCall, president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) since its founding in 1997, has announced he will retire a year from January.
“Together we have built a comprehensive two-year college system that is the envy of the nation,” McCall stated in a press release announcing his planned departure. “I am extremely proud of the work we have accomplished to enhance the educational attainment in the state. The last 15 years as president have truly been the most rewarding of my career. I believe now it is time to complete my tenure and for the System to begin the transition to new leadership.”
According to the release, McCall will end his tenure after the naming of a new official to take his place and time has passed to allow his replacement time to transition into their new role.
In 1997 the House Bill 1, the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act, created the Kentucky Community and Technical College System by joining the 14 community colleges of the University of Kentucky with the 15 technical institutes in the Kentucky Workforce Development cabinet under one system. The system currently serves around 97,000 students across the commonwealth.
During the next month, Board of Regents Chair and CEO of the Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County, P.G. Peeples will develop a presidential search process and work with a search firm to develop a plan and timeline for a nationwide search, according to the release.
“Because of his leadership, vision and management skills he is leaving the organization in a very strong position, which will allow us to continue on the strategic course of being the nation’s premier community and technical college system,” Peeples stated in the release.
KCTCS has 16 colleges at more than 70 locations and offers 700 programs including 77 online.
The release cites achievements under McCall such as:
• Increasing enrollment 109.7 percent.
• Serving more than 500,000 Kentuckians.
• Serving 6,204 businesses and training 61,929 employees annually.
• Increasing the number of certificates, diplomas and degrees awarded by 300 percent (2001-2012).
• Completing 45 capital projects totaling approximately $500 million, creating access to higher education throughout the state. There is a KCTCS location within a 30-minute drive of 95 percent of all Kentuckians.
• Worked with the General Assembly to champion transfer legislation, which has eased the process for KCTCS students transferring to the state’s four-year public institutions. This legislation has become a national model.
• Establishing the North American Racing Academy (NARA), the first college-affiliated horse racing academy in the United States. Students from across the state, country and world travel to Kentucky to study at the NARA under the tutelage of Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron.
• Launching the Kentucky Coal Academy, which has trained more than 55,000 new and incumbent miners for work in more than 70 coal companies.
• Creating the Automotive Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative, a multi-state collaboration of community and technical colleges providing ongoing training for automotive technicians and engineers to equip them with the advanced skills they need to have successful careers in a constantly changing and globally competitive workforce.
• Creating an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Fire/Rescue Science Technology through the Kentucky Fire Commission, which is part of KCTCS. The Kentucky Fire Commission trains 80 percent of Kentucky-trained firefighters.
• Integrating the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) into KCTCS. KBEMS certifies first responders and emergency medical technicians. Additionally, it provides licenses to paramedics and ambulance services and establishes standards for the education and training of emergency medical services personnel.