BCTC to Host Annual Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training for Faculty, Staff, and Students

Published on Sep 17, 2026

LEXINGTON, KY — Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) will host its annual Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training on Friday, September 18, from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Newtown Campus, Science Education Center (SEC), Room 107.

The internal training, provided by the Sexual Violence Resource Center of the Bluegrass, is designed for BCTC faculty, staff and students and will provide participants with practical skills and strategies to help create safe, healthy, and respectful spaces across the College.

Green Dot is an evidence-based violence prevention strategy focused on empowering individuals to recognize warning signs, respond appropriately, and take an active role in preventing violence. Through bystander intervention, participants learn realistic and safe ways to intervene when they see behaviors or situations that could potentially lead to harm.

“Creating an environment where our students feel safe, supported, and respected is essential to their success,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, Chancellor of BCTC. “Trainings like Green Dot are important because they give our faculty and staff the knowledge and tools to recognize concerns, respond appropriately, and better serve our students. Every member of our college community has a role in creating a culture where students know they are valued and supported.”

The training emphasizes that preventing violence is a shared responsibility. Participants will learn how to recognize situations that could escalate, identify opportunities for intervention, and use strategies that allow them to respond in ways that are appropriate and safe. The College's previous Green Dot training similarly emphasized practical intervention strategies and the importance of building a campus culture in which community members take responsibility for supporting one another. 

“Prevention begins with education and awareness,” said Anita Nelums, Director of Counseling Services at BCTC. “We want our faculty, staff, and students to be better equipped to recognize concerning behaviors, intervene when it is safe to do so, and support others before violence occurs. Creating safe spaces is important to BCTC, and Green Dot helps us build a community where people understand that they have the ability to make a difference.”

The annual training is sponsored by BCTC’s Engagement and Student Success Personal Counseling Department and reflects the College’s continued commitment to providing faculty and staff with resources that strengthen student support, safety, and well-being.

Through continued education and prevention efforts, BCTC seeks to foster a College-wide culture in which faculty, staff, and students feel empowered to look out for one another, speak up when they recognize potential concerns, and contribute to safe and respectful learning and working environments.

For more information about the Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training or counseling services at BCTC, please contact Anita Nelums, Director of Counseling Services, at anita.nelums@kctcs.edu.