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Dr. Aaron Thompson wins prestigious award from East Kentucky Leadership Foundation (EKLF)
April 25, 2025
Dr. Aaron Thompson, CPE president, received a 2025 EKLF leadership award for Eastern Kentucky natives whose public service contributes to the betterment of the region.
CPE board approves tuition and mandatory fee ceilings for 2025-26 and 2026-27
April 18, 2025
CPE's board approved a recommendation to limit increases in undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees for resident students in 2025-26 and 2026-27
Kentucky students and educators honored at final GEAR UP Kentucky Institute
April 17, 2025
At its annual institute, GEAR UP Kentucky recognized 12 students and 12 faculty for their accomplishments.
CPE receives $489K to fund recovery resource centers on Kentucky campuses
April 10, 2025
CPE received a $488,676 grant from Kentucky’s Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission to fund Collegiate Recovery Resource Centers (CRRCs) on up to five college campuses.
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Upcoming Meetings
- May 21, 2025
- June 9, 2025
Kentucky By the Numbers
- 8Public Universities
- 58%Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 30K+Degrees Awarded in AY23
- 16Community and Technical Colleges
- 40%Three-Year Graduation Rate
- 40KCredentials Awarded in AY23
Kentucky's Progress to the 60x30 Goal
Educational Attainment of Kentucky Adults (2023)
Increases in the Number of Kentucky Credential Holders
Our President
"I believe that higher education unlocks the human potential, that college gives us the time and opportunity to explore our interests, to train for a career that challenges and inspires us. And it gives us a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life."
As a first-generation college student from rural Clay County, Kentucky, President Aaron Thompson experienced first-hand the transformative power of a college credential. Learn more about President Thompson >>
Kentucky's Strategic Agenda for Postsecondary Education
The strategic agenda serves as a blueprint to meet Kentucky’s educational attainment goal—to raise the percentage of Kentuckians with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 60% by the year 2030. It identifies five strategic priorities with an additional one as a cross-cutting priority (equity) for higher education that will guide innovation and improvement through 2030. Learn more about the strategic agenda >>
- Transitions
- Affordability
- Success
- Talent
- Equity
- Value
Making Higher Education Matter to Kentucky
Higher Education Matters, a statewide public awareness campaign in collaboration with Kentucky’s colleges and universities, is about promoting college going and elevating the importance of higher education to Kentucky’s residents and economy. Check out the website at KYHigherEDMatters.org for student resources, links to campuses, and marketing resources for our ambassadors.
Why Higher Ed Matters
Earnings: College graduates earn more and are less likely to be unemployed and rely on public
assistance.
Health: College graduates are more likely to have access to better healthcare, exercise and
enjoy better health.
Civic Responsibility: College graduates are more likely to vote, donate to charity and be civically engaged.
Literacy: College graduates are more likely to read to their children and be more supportive
of their education overall.
Employment: College graduates are more likely to find jobs and stay employed, even in a down
economy.
Economy: The state gains more from college graduates through higher earnings and less dependence
on public assistance.