SKYCTC TRIO Scholars Earn National Recognition at McNair/SSS Scholars Research Conference

Among those attending the McNair/Student Support Services Scholars Research Conference from SKYCTC were: (from left) Emma Beckner, JayRon Jefferson, Cloe Woosley, Alex Smith, and Kendra Duncan.

Bowling Green, KY – Students and staff from Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) earned national recognition at the McNair/Student Support Services (SSS) Scholars Research Conference, receiving honors alongside participants from some of the nation's most prestigious colleges and universities. The recognition highlights the academic excellence and research capabilities of SKYCTC students on a national stage.

“The success of these students on the national stage exemplifies the transformative power of higher education and SKYCTC’s mission," said Dr. Michelle Trawick, Chancellor of Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College. “We are incredibly proud of how they represented our college, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky."The conference brought together some of the nation's most accomplished TRIO students and scholars from institutions including UCLA, Morehouse College, Spelman College, the University of Florida, and Louisiana State University (LSU). 

Two SKYCTC students, JayRon Jefferson and Kendra Duncan, presented original research during the conference's competitive poster sessions, highlighting their academic achievement, scholarly curiosity, and research capabilities.

Jefferson was selected to participate in a featured conference session on professional dress and personal branding, an honor recognizing his leadership potential and professionalism.

The conference created additional national opportunities for the College as students Alex Smith, Cloe Woosley, and Emma Beckner, along with SKYCTC staff member Heather LaRue, were invited to appear on Bridging the Gap, a national podcast hosted by conference keynote speaker David Coleman. Scheduled for release on Spotify later this year, the podcast will highlight the experiences and successes of SKYCTC's TRIO students while showcasing the impact of community college education on a national platform.

Further elevating SKYCTC's presence at the conference, Dr. Chris Royse, Associate Vice Chancellor of Technology Solutions and Strategy, served as one of the conference's keynote speakers.

"These accomplishments would not have been possible without the collective efforts of many individuals," said Dr. Chris George, Director of TRIO Programs and Title III (SKYRISE) at SKYCTC. "I extend my sincere appreciation to the many SKYCTC staff who helped make this trip possible.”

George said the conference experience reflects the strength of the college's commitment to student success and the impact of the TRIO program.

"Our students represented SKYCTC, TRIO, KCTCS, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky with professionalism, confidence, and academic excellence," George said. "Their success is proof that community college students can thrive in competitive academic environments and distinguish themselves among peers from some of the nation's most prestigious universities. We could not be more proud of their accomplishments."

The McNair/SSS Scholars Research Conference provides undergraduate scholars with opportunities to present original research, participate in professional development workshops, network with faculty and peers from across the country, and prepare for graduate education and future leadership opportunities. SKYCTC's strong showing at the conference reflects the college's continued commitment expanding opportunities for first-generation and underrepresented students through its TRIO programs.