Meet Your Admissions Team | BCTC

Meet Your Admissions Team

Primary Contact Information

Mailing Address

Office of Admissions
The Den
500 Newtown Pike
Lexington, KY 40508

Office Hours

Monday - Friday:
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admissions Counselors

Layton Boyd

Photo of Ally Grzywacz

Coordinator of Student Access and Empowerment

(859) 246-6965

layton.boyd@kctcs.edu

Service Area: Fayette, Woodford, Jessamine

Where are you from?
I’m from Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I received my bachelor’s degree from Kentucky State University and my master’s degree from Murray State University. Both experiences helped shape not only my career but also the way I approach supporting students today.

What did you love most about college?
What I loved most about college was the opportunity to grow—both inside and outside the classroom. I was able to connect with professors and mentors who guided me, build lifelong friendships, and get involved in experiences that helped me discover my strengths and passions. Growing up in a community that values hard work, connection, and opportunity also motivated me to make the most out of my college experience.

What is one piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
My advice would be to choose a college that feels like the right fit for you. Don’t just look at the name—look at the support, the resources, and the environment. Go where you believe you can succeed, be challenged, and truly feel part of the community.. 

Why should students attend BCTC?
Students should attend BCTC because it opens doors. Whether you’re starting your journey toward a four-year degree or preparing to enter the workforce, BCTC provides affordable, high-quality education with strong support systems in place. Here, students aren’t just numbers, they’re part of a community that is dedicated to helping them achieve their goals and discover what’s possible for their future.

Kayla Byram

Photo of Kayla Edwards

Admissions Specialist

(859) 246-6746

kayla.edwards@kctcs.edu

Selective and International Admissions 

Where are you from?
I am from Lexington, KY.

Where did you go to college, and what did you study?
I attended the University of Kentucky where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education in secondary education and anthropology and a Bachelor of Arts in history.

What did you love the most about college?
I loved having the freedom to pursue my own passions. I genuinely enjoyed college because I took courses that were challenging but still interested me. Because I devoted so much time and energy to studying what I loved, my own worldview was broadened, and I gained a lot of confidence & independence.

What is on piece of advice you would give a student when choosing college?
College is a huge investment. Consider the costs of obtaining your degree at the college along with your post-graduate earnings projections before making your final college decision. Ultimately, you must choose the school that works for your individual budget, goals, and needs.

Why should students attend BCTC?
BCTC is an excellent launching pad for your professional and academic interests. Our professors and staff are committed to supporting your studies & student experience. Attending BCTC will save you thousands of dollars in tuition & fees compared to a four-year university or college. Our alumni can transfer seamlessly to four-year institutions, and our trade graduates are highly sought after by employers. Whatever your dream is, there is a way to reach it here.

John Maxey

john maxey

Admissions Counselor

(859) 246-4677

john.maxey@kctcs.edu

Service Area: Bath, Bourbon, Clark, Estill, Lee, Madison, Menifee, Montgomery, Nicholas, Powell, Wolfe

Where are you from?
I am from Morehead, KY

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I attended Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky. I graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration, with a major in Marketing.

What did you love most about college?
College helped prepare me to excel in my desired career field and was a great resource to facilitate my education and career goals. College can be the most rewarding and worthwhile pursuit for any individual at any age. I also was able to make lifelong connections with peers, faculty, and staff. College was an incredible experience that was not only productive but enjoyable.

What is one piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
Pursuing education is both daunting and intimidating at times. It’s incredibly important to use every resource available when applying and attending a college. My advice is to take things one step at a time and utilize every single resource available.

Why should students attend BCTC?
Bluegrass Community and Technical College offers some of the most exceptional programs at a affordable rate and plenty of financial aid opportunities. BCTC also can provide an experience that lasts a lifetime. Our students and alumni would agree that the experience offered here can fulfill even the most ambitious students’ dreams with class content, exceptional faculty, and a plethora of organizations to explore.

Jazmine Rivera

jazmine rivera

Coordinator of Leadership, Access, and Community Engagement (LACE)

(859) 246-6609

jazmine.rivera@kctcs.edu

Service Area: Fayette, Woodford, Jessamine.

Where are you from?
I was born in Riverside, CA. I have lived in Independence, KY and Mcallen, TX and now I’m back in Lexington, KY where it feels like home!

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I attended the University of Kentucky, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

What did you love most about college?
I loved being involved in organizations and finding a community that made me feel like I belonged. It was also my first real taste of independence and being around many new people and cultures.

What is one piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
Find a school that you can visually see yourself there and once there look for organizations that you might be interested in joining. Make it your home. Don’t let it change you, you make the changes you want to see.

Why should students attend BCTC?
Students should attend BCTC because there are many different programs for everyone. Whether it be arts, nursing, manufacturing and many more.  These programs help open so many opportunities for our students. In these classes, students are also able to meet one-on-one with instructor/professor as it is more of an intimate class setting. We hope BCTC is the BEST choice for you!

Ethan Sturgill

Photo of Ethan Sturgill

Admissions Counselor

(859) 246-6240

ethan.sturgill@kctcs.edu

Service Area: Anderson, Franklin, Grant, Harrison, Owen, Scott, Shelby, Spencer

Where are you from?
I am from Georgetown, Kentucky.

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business with a focus on Management.

What did you love most about college?
I loved having the small town feel while also attending a large public university. Going to college can be a lot of people’s first real taste of being on their own.  This can be a challenging time but also extremely exciting as well. Freedom comes with being a college student. You can tailor fit your college experience to be exactly how you want it to be. Having the freedom to choose what classes to take, clubs or organizations to join, and of course friendships can have a lasting impact on every college student.

What is one piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
Keep your options open so that you can find the right fit for you. When choosing a school, you will be given a lot of information on many different colleges. Choosing a college should be a fun time for you. Give multiple colleges an opportunity to be graced with your presence on campus. College is much more than just a name or a location, it is a place where you should be given as much support as you need so that you can reach your goals and dreams.

Why should students attend BCTC?
BCTC is a school that strives to impact the lives of every individual that walks on our campus. As a college we strive to meet the needs of all our students both in and out of the classroom. You have so many opportunities to learn which in turn can take you anywhere and everywhere.

Brenna Taulbee

brenna taulbee

Admissions Counselor

(859) 246-6259

brenna.taulbee@kctcs.edu

Service Area: Boyle, Casey, Garrard, Mercer, Lincoln, Marion, Nelson, Washington

Where are you from?
I am from Lexington, Kentucky.

Where did you go to college, and what did you study?
I went to Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. I graduated from Anderson with a bachelor's degree in Business and a focus on Music and Marketing.

What did you love most about college?
I loved the well-rounded, small community on a small campus. The opportunity to build a close relationship with my peers and communicate my needs to my professors was essential during my college search. I was happy knowing my teachers and mentors knew me personally and could see me as an individual, not just another student in their class.

What is a piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
The best piece of advice I could offer a student who is choosing a college would be to go to a college that best suits their needs. You typically attend college to earn a degree, and you have many options out there. However, you want to pick a college that will help you achieve your goals and encourage you to do your best.

Why should students attend BCTC?
Bluegrass Community and Technical College offers you the lowest tuition in Kentucky, alongside financial aid options and a helping hand to guide you through the application process. We'll help you reach your dreams at a price that won't break the bank.