Latest News
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Kentucky launches pilot program for high school mental and behavioral health career pathways
October 28, 2025
CPE, in partnership with CHFS and its Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, has launched an initiative to provide career pathways to high school students in select schools who are interested in behavioral health...
Meet Our Co-Op Student! Shayla Thompson
October 22, 2025
Meet Shayla Thompson, a co-op working in the human resources department for the 2025-2026 school year.
Meet Our New Intern! Patricia Juarbe Rivera
October 9, 2025
Meet Patricia Juarbe Rivera, one of our new interns! Originally from Puerto Rico, Patricia attends the University of Kentucky.
Meet Our New Intern! Anushka Karki
October 8, 2025
CPE is excited to welcome our newest intern Anushka Karki! Anushka is currently attending Northern Kentucky University.
Featured Events
Upcoming Meetings
- Oct 28, 2025
- Nov 3, 2025
Legislative Review
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 for higher education that will guide innovation and improvement through 2030. Learn more about the strategic agenda >>
- Transitions
- Affordability
- Success
- Talent
- 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.
