Congressman Yarmuth speaks at JCTC

(Louisville, KY) Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) joined representatives and students from the Jefferson Community and Technical College to announce federal funding for the Student Support Services Program (SSSP) at JCTC’s Downtown Campus. $288,282 from the Department of Education will be invested in SSSP to help provide academic and career support for hundreds of students at JCTC.

“Preparing our workforce for the jobs and the economy of the future requires that more Louisvillians have access to a higher education,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “This federal funding will help tear down the barriers to college and ensure that all Louisvillians have the educational and career opportunities needed to build successful lives.”

The Student Support Services Program began at JCTC in 1977 and provides academic tutoring, financial counseling, and career guidance to low-income, first-generation, or disabled students. In 2011, the program is expected to serve about 200 students.

“SSSP is critically important to the success of so many of our students. Part of the college’s open access mission is to meet students where they are in life and academically and move them to where they need to be in order to be successful students and employees,” said Dr. Tony Newberry, President and CEO of JCTC. “SSSP gives 200 students a year intensive support to navigate college and plan their next steps.  These students, which include first generation college students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, would not be able to receive that level of support, without this program.”

JCTC will receive $288,282 this year – an increase over past funding levels for SSSP – and anticipates that the program will continue to receive federal funding for an additional four years.

JCTC is the largest college in the Kentucky Community and Technical College system, serving 15,000 students on six campuses throughout the region.