Since the summer of 2023, two more schools have now joined the KSHEP network! Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) and Western Kentucky University (WKU) both submitted applications to the US Department of Education to start CTP programs, and both have been approved. Congratulations!

OCTC currently has 4 second-semester students and 2 students scheduled to graduate in May.  Once a month they offer a social engagement opportunity called “Empower Hour”. They have learned how to play pool, taken a nature walk, played board games, and last month learned a dance. (See photo)

WKU has also received approval for its SAV-Y program, a 3-year CTP program focusing on social, academic, and vocational experiences. Read more about this newly approved program here: https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?view=article&articleid=11704

With these new programs, the current number of CTP programs in Kentucky is now 6 – which is doubled from the number of programs since 2020.

Kentucky colleges and universities with an approved CTP program now include: Northern Kentucky University, Murray State University, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, University of Kentucky, Owensboro Community and Technical College, and Western Kentucky University.

Learn more about Kentucky’s CTP programs here: https://kshep.hdiuky.org/ctp-programs-in-kentucky/

In 2023, we started a new regional advocacy initiative in collaboration with the Southeast Postsecondary Education Alliance (SEPSEA) and led by SEPSEA board member Kenneth Kelty. Kenneth is a strong advocate for Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) programs. An IPSE alum himself, Kenneth is passionate about making space for advocacy and leadership opportunities for other alums and students in IPSE programs.

Some KSHEP students joined the first SEPSEA Advocacy Group meetings in the fall 2023 semester, and we hope more of you will connect with this online meet-up this year!

The next SEPSEA Advocacy Group meeting will be on Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 4:00-5:00 EST. (*3:00-4:00 CST)

During this meeting, we will talk about our advocacy goals for 2024 and share ideas about what Leadership means in our day-to-day lives. I hope you will join us for this conversation!

For more information about this group, or to get on the direct email list for these meetings, please contact Erin Fitzgerald at Erin.Fitzgerald@uky.edu.

Have you ever attended a SEPSEA conference? It is a wonderful experience where people who are passionate about inclusive postsecondary education come together to share ideas and information and connect with each other. This year’s conference will be in Clearwater, Florida from May 22-24! More information can be found here: https://www.sepsea.org/2024-conference.html

Are you interested in presenting a session at the SEPSEA conference this year? Doing a presentation at the SEPSEA conference is a great way to advocate for inclusive higher education and to connect with other people to get ideas. They have extended the deadline for proposals to Feb. 15. If you have a topic you would like to present about, consider submitting a proposal!