MIDDLESBORO — Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) President Dr. Michael B. McCall visited Bell County on Wednesday morning as part of a recently instituted Public Advocacy Campaign. He has been visiting each of the colleges in the KCTCS in support of the educational initiative.

McCall first spoke about the advocacy campaign at the Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC) Pineville Campus. He told students that the supportive initiative concentrates primarily on ensuring that the state of Kentucky makes smart investments in students, workers and the state’s economy by supporting local community and technical colleges.

Dr. McCall has served in community and technical colleges for over 37 years, and has been recognized for his advanced collaborative partnerships, economic development, innovative use of technology, and the utilization of team-oriented management.

He received his bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. McCall then received his master’s degree in physics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) and State University in Blacksburg, Va., and earned his doctorate in educational administration from the same institution.

Prior to his nomination as the founding president of KCTCS, McCall served as President of South Carolina’s expansive technical college system, and provided advanced leadership for South Carolina’s economic development training programs.

After speaking with students in Pineville, McCall stopped by the SKCTC Middlesboro Campus and addressed the media about the current campaign.

“Our campaign is focusing on really getting the citizens of Kentucky engaged in advocating for KCTCS by involving students, faculty, staff, and community leaders — and to focus on what our needs are,” said McCall. “But more importantly, to focus on the value that we add to the state.”

McCall claimed that education is critical when helping people find better jobs in the modem day workforce. He explained that 83 percent of modern jobs will require at least an associate’s degree, and that KCTCS can provide students with the necessary education needed to get the right types of jobs in an advancing society.

“Jobs of today and tomorrow will require more than a high school degree,” said McCall. “So what we are doing is getting people to support us, and to show that we are an investment.”

He went on to explain that all the money spent in support of KCTCS is “an investment in the future of this state.” He said that educating the people of Kentucky, and specifically training them for the modern workforce, will help stabilize the economy.

“Education is key to it,” McCall remarked.

McCall then spoke about the ideal result of the current advocacy campaign. He stated that the KCTCS Legislative Agenda for 2010 focuses on a number of different things — from strategic initiatives to budget requests — but it largely concentrates on base funding for KCTCS.

At the next General Assembly session, McCall and his associates will be requesting that KCTCS remain at the current level of state funding. McCall will be focusing on getting the complete support of the KCTCS Legislative Agenda.

“We know the economy is suffering, but we also know that our enrollment is growing,” said McCall. “So we are doing the things that we’re asked to do and that is to provide access... and we need to maintain that level of funding as we move forward.”

McCall said that conveying the message to the General Assembly can be done, as long as it is voiced in an appropriate and organized way.

“What we have seen over the years is that we have tremendous respect in the General Assembly, and they recognize us for what we have been able to do,” said McCall. “What we need to do is to really take it to the next level, and to make the connection of the total critical value that we have. The General Assembly listens to its’ voters, and our students are the voters. Our employers are the voters.”

McCall continued:

“It’s a task in front of us that we feel is very achievable,” said McCall. “In a systematic and methodical way, we can get the message out that we are transforming lives and transforming Kentucky.”

McCall then elaborated on the KCTCS in the shadow of the current state of the economy.

“It has not had a negative effect on the number of students attending college, but it has had a negative effect on the fact that the state has had to cut our budget five times in five years,” McCall explained. “So that is a direct impact of the economy financially on us. But when the economy is suffering the way it is, people want to take advantage of education.”

McCall spoke about the short and long term goals of KCTCS.

“We are focusing on being the premier community and technical college system in the nation,” said McCall. “So what we’re doing is continuing working with business and industry to identify what are the types of jobs that they will have available in the future, and what are the needs that we need to do.”

McCall and his associates are focusing on revamping the Workforce Solutions Program, which addresses the workforce needs of communities across the state of Kentucky. The educational system is also putting into place KCTCS online, which allows students to take courses online at his/her pace, and they can begin at any time.

“We are focusing on new technologies, new initiatives, and making sure that we are up-to-date and current,”McCall stated. “We are addressing the needs for us to be a premier community-technical college system.”

Lastly, McCall spoke about the satisfaction he gets from his job.

“It’s a wonderful thing,” said McCall. “I have been in this job now eleven years. I am passionate about what community and technical colleges do for this state. The reform of higher education was exactly what was needed. I get up every morning just as excited as I was eleven years ago when I came here. It’s a great pleasure. Kentucky is a wonderful, wonderful place.”

To support the KCTCS, go to www.kctcs.edu and join the campaign.