BCTC Welcomes Celebrated Journalist Jenisha Watts as Keynote Speaker for 2025 Commencement at Rupp Arena

Published on May 8, 2025

LEXINGTON, KY – Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) is honored to announce Jenisha Watts, a nationally acclaimed journalist and proud BCTC alumna, as the keynote speaker for the college’s 2025 commencement ceremony. The celebration will take place on Sunday, May 11 at 4:00 p.m. at Rupp Arena, marking a milestone moment for the Class of 2025 and the entire BCTC community.

Watts, currently a senior editor at The Atlantic, has built a remarkable career in journalism. She is a 2024 finalist for Feature Writing in the prestigious American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) awards. Her work has appeared in major outlets including ESPN, ESSENCE, People, TIME Books, and The Undefeated, and has been featured in anthologies such as The Best American Essays, Southern Women, and Black Told. In 2024, she received Columbia University’s First Decade Award for distinguished contributions in journalism within ten years of graduation.

“Welcoming Jenisha Watts back to BCTC as our keynote speaker is a powerful testament to the transformative power of education and perseverance,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, BCTC President and CEO. “Her story reflects the very heart of our mission—to open doors, foster talent, and empower individuals to change their lives and communities. This ceremony is not just a celebration of academic achievement, but of legacy, resilience, and the incredible places our students can go.”

Watts, who earned her associate degree at BCTC before completing her bachelor’s at the University of Kentucky and her master’s at Columbia University, continues to inspire with her journey from Kentucky to the national stage. She is currently working on her debut book, based on her acclaimed essay Jenisha From Kentucky, which will be published by HarperCollins.

This year’s commencement promises to be a memorable event as the college celebrates the achievements of its graduates and honors 85 years of a legacy of learning exemplified by distinguished alumni like Jenisha Watts.