2025 Student Access Summit
Future Focused: Recognizing What Works, Reimagining What’s Next
Nov. 17, 2025 | The Campbell House, Lexington
CPE's first-ever Student Access Summit brought together educators, leaders and change-makers from across Kentucky's education sectors to collaborate on expanding access to postsecondary opportunities for all students. Attendees gained practical strategies, tools and resources to help students navigate the transition to and through college successfully and were introduced to innovative solutions that celebrate real progress in closing access gaps.
Provide your feedback on this year's event and claim your EILA credit! Complete this form by Dec. 1, 2025.
Download the event program
| Time | Session | Links |
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8:30-8:50 a.m. |
Opening Doors: Ensuring College Access for All Kentuckians Dr. Aaron Thompson, President, Council on Postsecondary Education - LinkedIn |
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8:50-9:30 a.m. |
Teaching is an Act of Hope Jennifer Montgomery, 2025 Kentucky Teacher of the Year - LinkedIn |
Slides |
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9:45-10:45 a.m.
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Vision to Practice: Embedding Postsecondary Transition Advising Beth Lawson, GEAR UP Kentucky - LinkedIn Sabrina Brandenburg, Bath County High School - School Profile Brandi Brewer, Augusta Independent Schools - School Profile Lisa Rudzinski, Mercer County Senior High School - LinkedIn |
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Kentucky College Coaches: Guiding Students To and Through College Success Gayle Hilleke, EngageKY - LinkedIn Janice Fenwick, EngageKY - LinkedIn |
Slides | |
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Reaching the Shared Goal through Dual Enrollment Megan Adams, University of Louisville - LinkedIn James Catchen, Thomas More University - LinkedIn Harmony Little, KCTCS - LinkedIn Joel Pace, Morehead State University - LinkedIn |
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CTE and Postsecondary Advising for Special Student Populations John Paise, KY Department of Education - LinkedIn Bill Bates, KY Department of Education - Article |
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11:00-12:00 p.m.
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College Awareness in Action: Access and Opportunity Renita Wilburn, Fayette County Public Schools Whitney Young, Fayette County Public Schools - LinkedIn |
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From High School to Higher Ed: Tools for Student Transition & Success Mitzi Holland, Council on Postsecondary Education - LinkedIn Missy Brownson-Ross, GEAR UP Kentucky - LinkedIn |
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Increasing Retention through an Improved New Student Orientation John Thomerson, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Heather LaRue, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College - LinkedIn |
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Bridging K–12 to College: Family Resource and Youth Services Centers' (FRYSC) Role in Student Success Lisa McKenzie, Kentucky Family Resource and Youth Services Centers - Email Tiffany Runyon, Kentucky Family Resource and Youth Services Centers - Email, LinkedIn |
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12:45-1:35 p.m. |
Student Voices: Navigating the Transition to Postsecondary Education Dr. Josh Sparks, 2025 GEAR UP Alum Leader of the Year - LinkedIn, Article Katie Black, college student Sammy Bragg, high school senior Allison Castro-Garcia, college student |
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1:35-1:45 p.m. |
Futuriti in Focus: Transforming How Kentucky Learners Plan their Future and Careers Jessica Fletcher, Council on Postsecondary Education - LinkedIn |
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2:00-3:00 p.m.
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Speaking the Same Language: Demystifying College & Career for Families Jenny Hobson, Partners for Rural Impact - LinkedIn Rebecca Parrish, Berea College - Bio Missy Scent, Partners for Rural Impact - LinkedIn |
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Young Scholars Academy at NKU: A Regional Collaborative Access Model Amanda Dempsey, Young Scholars Academy - Email Dan Ginn, Young Scholars Academy - Email |
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A Community Framework for Teacher Apprenticeship Lee Barger, Bullitt County Public Schools - LinkedIn Kathy House, Ohio Valley Education Cooperative (OVEC) - LinkedIn Charles Rains, University of Louisville - Bio Stefanie Wooten-Burnett, University of Louisville - Bio |
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Level Up Your College Access Game with KHEAA Casi Benedict, Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority - LinkedIn Brandi Forker, Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority |
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3:15-4:00 p.m. |
When Potential Meets Purpose Dr. Erwin Hesse, Director of the Center for Innovation in College Admission for the National Association for College Admission Counseling - LinkedIn, Bio |
Questions
If you have questions regarding this event, contact heather.faesy@ky.gov.
Last Updated: 11/17/2025