Commonwealth Education Continuum
In order for students to earn degrees and credentials that lead to sustainable, competitive-wage careers, it is imperative that their educational experience, from preschool through postsecondary education, provides an equitable opportunity to successfully transition to the next level.
In December 2020, the Commonwealth Education Continuum (CEC) was formed out of the moral imperative to strengthen the education pipeline. The Continuum is co-chaired by Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) President Dr. Aaron Thompson, and Kentucky Commissioner of Education Dr. Jason Glass and consists of 28 members whose expertise ranges from early childhood to the workforce.
Guiding Documentation
- Upcoming meetings and records archive
- Final prioritized recommendations
- Full midterm report containing all recommendations
Membership
- Dr. OJ Oleka, president of the Association of Kentucky Independent Colleges and Universities
- Lisa Rudzinski, Education Professional Standards Board
- Amy Neal, executive director of the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood
- Dr. Rhonda Caldwell, executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators
- Dr. Jim Flynn, executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents
- Dr. Lu Young, board chair of the Kentucky Board of Education
- Ashli Watts, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
- Dr. Dallas Kratzer, grant program manager of the Cyber Security and Workforce Development Outreach, Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs
- Dr. Paul Czarpata, interim president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System
- Lucas Mentzer, board chair of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
- David Horseman, associate commissioner of the Office of Career and Technical Education, Kentucky Department of Education
- Eddie Campbell, president of the Kentucky Education Association
- Gene Hutchins, executive director of the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
- Rep. James Tipton, Kentucky House of Representatives
- Kerri Schelling, executive director of the Kentucky School Boards Association
- Sarah Akin, board president of the Kentucky School Counselor Association
- Sen. David Givens, Kentucky Senate
- Sen. Max Wise, Kentucky Senate
- Stephanie Ebbens Kingsley, interim executive director of the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board
- Logan Justice, P-12 student representative
- Kathleen Christian, president of the 16th District Parent Teacher Association
- Priyadarshini Chandrashekhar, postsecondary student representative
- Jenny Sawyer, executive director of admissions, University of Louisville
- Dr. Corinne Murphy, dean of Western Kentucky University
- Dr. Robert Jackson, president of Murray State University
- Robert Hayes, director of the Student Transitions and Family Programs, University of Kentucky
- One member to be named from Adult Education, Education and Workforce Development Cabinet
Subcommittee Membership
As part of broadening the scope of the group, the continuum established workgroups consisting of a mix of students, families, and those who represent and work with students - particularly those who are historically underserved by our education system. These subcommittees will be responsible for creating deliverables and producing specific outputs, which might differ across groups based on the assigned topic area.
Early Postsecondary Opportunities
Led by Commissioner Glass and Dr. Paul Czarapata, this group will focus on such subjects as dual credit, advanced placement and other types of college credit-bearing courses and preparation.
- Sandra Baker, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
- Stacy Bassett, College Board
- Dr. Dan Connell, Morehead State University
- Brad Hall, University of the Cumberlands
- David Horseman, Kentucky Department of Education
- Eugene Hutchins, Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
- Carla Kersey, Kentucky Educational Development Corporation
- Marybeth Lawson, GEAR UP Kentucky
- Anthony Mires, AdvanceKentucky
- Dr. OJ Oleka, president of the Association of Kentucky Independent Colleges and Universities
- Jenny Sawyer, University of Louisville
- Rep. James Tipton, Kentucky House of Representatives
- Christine Tarquinio, Louisville Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Dr. Kathleen “Kakie” Urch, University of Kentucky
- Dr. LorryBeth Wilson, West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Transition to Postsecondary
Led by President Thompson and Dr. Lu Young, this group will focus on college access and readiness.
- Ben Brandstetter, Brandstetter Carroll Inc.
- Stephanie Devine, Teach for America Appalachia
- Bob Jackson, Murray State University
- Mary Jackson, GEAR Up Kentucky
- Shauna King-Simms, Kentucky Community and Technical College System
- Barry Lee, Casey County Board of Education
- Shawn Lyons, Transylvania Unversity
- Elizabeth Mays, EdjAnalytics
- Ebony Muldrow, University of Louisville
- Sarah Ochs, Western Kentucky University
- Carolyn Noe, Northern Kentucky University
- Samantha Reynolds, Henderson Community College Workforce Solutions
- Matthew Ruark, Kentucky Wesleyan College
- Sheri Satterly, Danville Independent Schools
- Sara White, Berea College
Educator Workforce and Diversity
Led by Lt. Governor Coleman and Dr. Corinne Murphy, this group will focus on student outcomes.
- Terri L. Bradshaw, Kentucky Capital Development Corporation
- Dr. Rhonda Caldwell, Kentucky Association of School Administrators
- Eddie Campbell, Kentucky Education Association
- Penny Christian, Kentucky Parent Teacher Association
- Dr. Ginni Fair, Northern Kentucky University
- Dr. Jim Flynn, Kentucky Association of School Superintendents
- Elly Gilbert, Kentucky Department of Education
- Dr. Kimberly Haverkos, Thomas More University
- Logan Justice, P-12 Student Representative
- Dr. Dallas Kratzer, Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs
- Vivian Lasley-Bibbs, Kentucky Department for Public Health
- Bren Martin, Prichard Committee
- Dr. Soraya Matthews, Perspective Education Professional Services
- Dr. Sheri McGuffin, AdvanceKentucky
- Dr. Margaret Mohr-Schroeder, University of Kentucky
- Jessica Romious, Council on Postsecondary Education
- Dr. Lisa G. Stephenson, West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Last Updated: 1/16/2022