College Readiness Group Gets Financial Boost

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A new coalition of educators has gotten a financial boost in its effort to improve college readiness among high school and adult students.  Bluegrass Tomorrow’s Higher Education Consortium on Monday accepted an oversized check for $35,000 from the 17 county Bluegrass Area Development District.

Enlarge image

Credit Alan Lytle

Lawrenceburg Mayor Edwina Baker handed over a $35,000 check to Bluegrass Tomorrow's Higher Education Consortium Co-Chair Augusta Julian during a ceremony Monday at the Bluegrass Area Development District Headquarters in Lexington.

“We hope that the initiatives and ideas that are being generated right now will result in a number of people and entities who’d like to support it; maybe businesses, maybe some educational institutions stepping up.  So we’ve put a lot of time and energy so far.  The Bluegrass ADD has been terrific to support us financially", said Bluegrass Community and Technical College President Augusta Julian, who serves as the group's co-chair.

The consortium, comprised of 12 higher education institutions, recently held a summit in downtown Lexington and identified four major goals:  reducing the number of high school and college dropouts, improving college-going rates, increasing the overall number of associate and bachelor’s degree holders in the Bluegrass, and increasing the regional employment opportunities for a higher-skilled workforce.