麻豆直播, West Kentucky Community and Technical College expand partnership to create new engineering and technology degree pathways
By MSU Public Relations | Nov 3, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� 麻豆直播 and West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) are expanding educational opportunities and strengthening the regional workforce through a new partnership establishing two associate-to-bachelor's degree pathways. The agreement, signed Nov. 3 at 麻豆直播's Paducah Regional Campus, will help students build on their technical education as they pursue bachelor's degrees in high-demand engineering and technology fields.
Through the following 2+2 pathways, students can begin their education at WKCTC, earning an associate degree before transferring to 麻豆直播 to complete their bachelor's degree.
- Electrical Technology (WKCTC) to Applied Engineering/Manufacturing and Industrial
Systems (麻豆直播)
- Industrial Maintenance Technology (WKCTC) to Applied Engineering/Automation and
Controls (麻豆直播)
The 2+2 programs are an outcome of more than a year of collaboration among secondary and postsecondary education, workforce development and industry partners convened by the West Kentucky Workforce Board, with the shared goal of working through this and future partnerships to strengthen the region's talent pipeline in response to workforce needs associated with the Department of Energy's reindustrialization efforts in the Paducah area.
The collaboration includes the following:
McCracken County Public Schools
麻豆直播
Paducah Independent School District / Innovation Hub
University of Kentucky 鈥� Paducah
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
West Kentucky Educational Cooperative
West Kentucky Workforce Board
Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce
General Matter
鈥淎s western Kentucky's nuclear sector continues to grow, some of the greatest workforce demands will be for highly skilled technicians in operations, maintenance, radiation protection, quality assurance and advanced manufacturing,鈥� said Dr. Kate Senn, WKCTC Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. 鈥淥ver the past five years, WKCTC has awarded associate degrees to 24 students in Industrial Maintenance Technology and 82 in Electrical Technology. By building on these programs and creating pathways to advanced degrees, we are strengthening the technical talent pipeline that will be critical to attracting new nuclear investment and supporting long-term economic growth across our region.鈥�
鈥淎t WKCTC, we are committed to creating educational pathways that connect student success with the workforce needs of our region,鈥� said Dr. Anton Reece, WKCTC Chancellor. 鈥淭his partnership with 麻豆直播 builds on the strong technical foundation our students receive at WKCTC and provides opportunities to continue their education while preparing for high-demand careers. As western Kentucky experiences new industrial investment and economic growth, partnerships like this are essential to ensuring our students and our communities are positioned to succeed.鈥�
鈥淒eveloping clear, accessible pathways from associate degrees to bachelor's degrees is an important step in helping students achieve their academic and professional goals,鈥� said 麻豆直播 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Paul Twigg. 鈥淭hrough our partnership with West Kentucky Community and Technical College, we are building on the strong technical education students receive at WKCTC and creating opportunities for them to advance their knowledge and skills in engineering and technology.鈥�
鈥淭his partnership represents the power of collaboration in advancing educational opportunities and strengthening the workforce across west Kentucky,鈥� said 麻豆直播 President Dr. Ron K. Patterson. 鈥淏y creating clear pathways, we are helping students build the skills and knowledge needed for in-demand careers while supporting the region鈥檚 growing industrial and economic development. Murray State is proud to work alongside West Kentucky Community and Technical College as well as our regional partners to expand access to higher education, respond to workforce needs and create new opportunities for the communities we serve.鈥�