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

Alexis Edwards

alexis edwards

Admissions Counselor

(859) 246-6247

alexis.edwards@kctcs.edu

Service Area: Fayette County

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Lexington, KY

Where did you go to College and What did you study?
I attended Western Kentucky University where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration, with a minor in Facility and Event Management

What did you love most about college?
Being involved in extracurricular activities and organizations, expanding my knowledge, having my self-discovery journey, and meeting lifelong friends

What is one piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
Always do your research on the colleges you have in mind. Choose the college that best suits you and your success and go to where you are offered the most money (scholarships).

Why should students attend BCTC?
BCTC offers a wide range of programs to choose from to receive a certificate, diploma or Associates degree. The class sizes are small so you will be able to have a one-on-one connection with your instructor/professor and peers. You will have the support from students and staff with any assistance and help. The cost of attendance is very low and feasible so you would not have to pay out of pocket for much.

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.

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.

Elvis Andrade

elvis andrade

Latinx Outreach Coordinator

(859) 246-6609

elvis.andrade@kctcs.edu

Where are you from?
I was born in Las Vegas, NV and have lived in various places like Appleton, WI, Raleigh, NC and Mexicali, MX but nowhere has felt more like home than Lexington, KY.

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I graduated from EKU in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies and Business after transferring over from BCTC. I am currently working on a Master of Social Work from NKU.

What did you love most about college?
I really enjoyed how I was given the opportunity to take classes and explore topics like social work that I knew I had some interest in but also take classes in fields like HVAC that I wouldn’t have known that I had interest in. It was a very interesting time in my life since I was forced out of my comfort zone and because of that I was given the opportunity to learn more about myself.

What is one piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
Be smart about how you approach student loans and how much money you borrow since that decision will follow you for a good chunk of your life. Community college is a good way to accomplish your goals of graduating with a two-year degree or pursuing a 4-year degree from a public university without breaking the bank because no matter where you end up graduating from, general education credits are usually the same.  

Why should students attend BCTC?
Students should consider attending BCTC because it’s an affordable choice for students to be able to take their general education classes in a time where student debt is at an all-time high, class sizes are much smaller than most universities and thus can be a better environment to learn in, and BCTC offers two-year terminal degrees in various disciplines that can be used to get a job right out of college.

Jordan Duncan

Photo of Jordan Duncan

Admission Councelor

(859) 246-6423

jordan.duncan@kctcs.edu

Service Area: Grant, Nicholas, Franklin, Scott, Bourbon, Jessamine, and Woodford

Where are you from?
I am born and raised in Lexington, KY

Where did you go to College and What did you study?
I attended went to Bluegrass Community and technical College for my associates in science and transferred to the University of Kentucky and got my bachelor’s in business and organization Communication with a minor in Business. Hoping later to get my master’s in business administration.

What did you love most about college?
What I appreciate most about this college is that it focuses on the students and provides numerous resources to ensure their success.

What is one piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
When going to college don’t look at how far you have to graduate! Take it one semester at a time until you get to graduation! If you fail a class in the middle of your time at the college of your choice, don’t let that one class overshadow the other class you have passed. Retake the class the next Semester, get a new instructor or the same, study harder and KEEP GOING! It’s not how you start, It’s how you finish!

Why should students attend BCTC?
BCTC provides a variety of programs leading to a certificate, diploma, or Associate's degree. You will have a one-on-one interaction with your instructor/professor and classmates due to the small class numbers. You will get guidance and support from students and faculty members. The cost of attendance is very low and affordable so you would not have to spend out of pocket for anything.

Katelyn Fugate

Photo of Katelyn Fugate

Visitor Center Coordinator

(859) 246-6240

katelyn.fugate@kctcs.edu

Where are you from?
I am from Winchester, Kentucky! Home of Kentucky’s famous soda, Ale-8. 

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I attended Eastern Kentucky University. I obtained two bachelor’s degrees. One was in Broadcast Media and my second degree was in History Teaching (secondary education).

What did you love most about college?
During college I really discovered what I loved to do. I found out what my passions were. For me that was working within the education realm and creating content. I also met so many wonderful people. That includes amazing professors and friends.

What is one piece of advice you would give a student when choosing a college?
Make sure you pick a college where the faculty and staff (aka your professors) are showing up to work for the students and not for themselves. This may be hard to know prior to being a college student but ask people who attended those colleges previously. Ask about how the professors were. That alone will speak loudly to how your educational experience will be. Worry about all the fun stuff on a campus secondary. 

Why should students attend BCTC?
BCTC is student driven. BCTC is here for you and wants you to earn your education to help better your future. BCTC knows the power a great education holds, and we also know how much support a student needs to earn their education. We provide both an education and an immense amount of support during your journey here. 

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, disability support 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!