KCTCS, NKU Launch Bold New Model for Student Success

April 29, 2026 — Accelerating student success and strengthening Kentucky’s workforce pipeline are a driving force behind Kentucky Community and Technical College (KCTCS) and Northern Kentucky University’s (NKU) new transfer partnership, designed to remove education barriers for today’s student, and the future of the Commonwealth.

From classroom to career, this agreement changes the landscape of higher education by building bridges that ensure students don’t just transfer, they thrive.

“At KCTCS, we have 120,000 students, many of which have different pathways on their educational journeys. It doesn’t matter if they are coming to us for a high-quality technical degree and want to go straight into the workforce, or for an associate’s degree, we meet students where they are at in their journey in life, and we are very proud of that,” said KCTCS President Ryan Quarles.

At a time when students need clearer routes to credentials and employers need skilled talent, this partnership is a blueprint for how higher education can better serve students and strengthen Kentucky’s future.

By aligning institutions around students, KCTCS and NKU ensure learners move seamlessly from access, to achievement, to opportunity and have created a regional partnership that will continue to drive statewide prosperity for generations to come.

For Gateway Community Technical College graduate, Christopher Cannon, college once felt out of reach. Coming from a family that faced difficulties, higher education seemed more like a distant possibility than a realistic plan.

“My journey didn’t start with a clear path,” Cannon said. “My parents were always in my corner, but I didn’t want to add financial burden to their shoulders.”

Through the River City Promise Program, Cannon was able to receive free tuition at Gateway Community & Technical College, with a pathway to transfer to Northern Kentucky University. Today, Cannon is preparing to graduate from Northern Kentucky University’s master’s program in athletic training.

“The River City Promise program didn’t just help me earn degrees, it helped me build toward a future and change my entire life,” Cannon said. “It gave me the chance to turn uncertainty into purpose and hardship into motivation. Because of this program, I stand here today as a soon to be graduate ready to serve others and improve lives through healthcare.”

This partnership serves as a driving force, powering possibilities for future students like Cannon, and creates a seamless pathway for student success.

“This partnership is about meeting students where they are and helping them move forward with confidence,” said NKU President Dr. Cady Short-Thompson. “By creating clear, connected pathways from KCTCS to NKU, we are making it easier for students to build momentum, stay on track, and reach their goals.”

At the forefront of expanding opportunities for students, this agreement serves as a catalyst for moving students further, faster. Because these pathways are updated annually to stay responsive to academic and workforce needs, the agreement is designed to remain active, relevant and strengthen the future of the commonwealth for generations to come.

“This is what access looks like,” Quarles said. “This is what opportunity feels like. And this is how we turn potential into degrees and degrees into futures.”

About KCTCS: The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is comprised of 16 colleges, and a system office created to serve all areas of the commonwealth. With an annual enrollment of over 100,000 students, KCTCS is Kentucky’s largest provider of workforce training and post-secondary education. KCTCS is united in its commitment to making life better for our students, communities, and the citizens of Kentucky.