Jessica Fletcher

The committee reviewed and endorsed for approval several new academic programs from various state universities, including an Associate of Interdisciplinary Studies at Eastern Kentucky University, a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence at Murray State University, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine also at Murray State University. Additional approvals were proposed for programs at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, covering disciplines such as Agricultural Ecosystem Sciences, Mapping and GIScience, and Global Supply Chain Management. The committee also discussed Western Kentucky University's proposals for new degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis, Disaster Science, and Environmental, Earth, and Sustainability Sciences. Furthermore, the committee received updates on KCTCS program approvals, fall 2025 enrollment statistics, workforce development efforts in the film industry, and the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative.

The committee reviewed the Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund (HWIF) Partnership Proposal Round 4 results. Discussion focused on various options for prioritizing funding distribution based on proposal scoring, previous funding history, and the number of employees within partner organizations. Ultimately, the committee voted to select proposals that scored 70 points or above, alongside those that scored below 70 points but had not received prior funding and involved partners with 50 or fewer employees.

This Implementation Plan outlines the strategies and processes for executing the Kentucky Aerospace, Aviation, and Defense Investment Fund Act (AERO Act), established in 2024. The plan aims to create a sustainable framework for workforce development in the aerospace, aviation, and defense sectors by fostering collaboration between educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and government entities. It focuses on targeted investments in scholarships and aviation-related equipment to build a robust pipeline of skilled professionals, position Kentucky as a national leader in education and training, and address workforce challenges.

The committee reviewed the final report of the Kentucky State University Management Improvement Plan, which included recommendations for a financial stability plan, ongoing fiscal monitoring, and loan forgiveness. Additionally, the committee discussed potential amendments to the Council bylaws regarding leadership positions and finalized various committee appointments. A proposed schedule change for upcoming meeting dates was also addressed.

The executive committee discussed the final report for the Kentucky State University Management Improvement Plan, including recommendations for a financial stability plan, quarterly fiscal monitoring, and loan forgiveness. Additionally, the committee reviewed and moved to amend the council bylaws regarding elected leadership, discussed proposed revisions to meeting dates, received an update on the fiscal year 2026 agency budget, and reviewed the results of the annual audit for the year ended June 30, 2025. Finally, the committee reviewed a new administrative regulation concerning research consortiums and received a presidential report covering legislative updates, enrollment data, and media coverage.