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

Ally Grzywacz

Photo of Ally Grzywacz

Assistant Director of Admissions for Recruitment

(859) 246-6252

allison.grzywacz@kctcs.edu

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

Where are you from?
I am from Lexington, Kentucky! I have also lived in Murray, Kentucky; Cleveland, Ohio; and most recently, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor of Science in History with minors in Political Science and Psychology. 

What did you love most about college?
I loved being around people that were passionate about the subjects they were studying, and how everyone chose to be there and be present within their communities. I was also a Resident Advisor for a long time and the relationships I built with my residents and fellow RA staff were so meaningful to me. 

What is one piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
Choose somewhere that makes you feel supported. So many schools have great academic programs, but they don’t all have staff, services, and resources to support you before, during, and after your college career. College is much more than just a classroom, so it’s very important to be at a place that reflects that. 

Why should students attend BCTC?
BCTC is a school that looks to create opportunities. Opportunities for classes, for careers, but most importantly for learning. The things you can learn here can take you anywhere and everywhere.

Ethan Sturgill

Photo of Ethan Sturgill

Admissions Counselor

(859) 246-6240

ethan.sturgill@kctcs.edu

Service Area: Fayette and Scott

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: Anderson, Boyle, Casey, Garrard, Harrison, Lincoln, Marion, Mercer, Nelson, Shelby, Spencer, Washington, and Owen

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 offer 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.

Jazmine Rivera

jazmine rivera

Latinx Outreach Coordinator

(859) 246-6609

jrivera0108@kctcs.edu

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!

Kayla Edwards

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.

Shanise Edwards

shanise edwards

African American Outreach Coordinator

(859) 246-6965

shanise.edwards@kctcs.edu

Where are you from?
I am born and raised in the home of the Big Blue Nation, Lexington, KY!

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I attended Eastern Kentucky University, where I studied Communications.

What did you love most about college?
What I loved and valued most about college was discovering myself and realizing the importance of being self-aware and owning my identity. In doing so I was able to contribute to the framework of my community and classroom by offering my unique perspective, ideas, experiences, and values so that I and others may thrive fully in and out of the classroom. In addition, I enjoyed the connections that I formed while at college, and through those connections, I landed my first paid job right after college and created lifelong friendships with amazing people! 

What is one piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
Most of your educational career before college has been tailored for you, college is your turn to be in control of your education! Choose a college that fits YOU! Choosing a college that fits you includes evaluating the following:

  • Academic Interest (Does the college offer the program that interests YOU? Does the college offer courses for students with a variety of learning styles or academic needs?) 
  • Culture (Can you see yourself at the college? Does the college promote and practice cultural awareness, inclusion, and equity for all?) 
  • Cost (Is it affordable? Will this college provide minimal or no debt?) 
  • Campus and classroom size (What is the professor-to-student ratio? Will I be seen or just a number?) 
  • Location/ Housing (Does the college offer housing? If not, can you commute in a reasonable amount of time to campus? Does the city the college is in offer entertainment or job opportunities outside of campus?) 
  • Resource Accessibility (Does the college offer tutoring, counseling, career services, student accessibility services…etc.?)
  • Student Activities/Organizations (Intramural sports? Clubs tailored to your identity and interest? Honor Society?)

Why should students attend BCTC?
BCTC offers ALL the above! With the lowest tuition in the state, small class sizes, and a plethora of student services and support BCTC stands out from many and is a sure fit for everyone. No matter your goal, BCTC can help you achieve it. Get started with BCTC today!

Cooper Gibson

shanise edwards

Visitor Center Coordinator

(859) 246-6423

cooper.gibson@kctcs.edu

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

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I attended the University of Kentucky where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Studio and Illinois State University where I earned a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture & Expanded Media.

What did you love most about college?
My faculty! My mom is a teacher, and I was always the kid that wanted to be friends with the teachers, so college made that dream come true. I cherish those relationships to this day.

What is one piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
Pursue your passion! No matter where you go, look for people that are doing what you want to be doing and ask them questions; mentorship is the greatest gift. If nobody is doing what you want to, then it’s your turn to lead the way!

Why should students attend BCTC?
BCTC is the most affordable college in the state, we have amazing staff and faculty that genuinely care about the student. You’re not going to find a more supportive atmosphere.