BCTC Receives $1.7 Million to Continue TRIO Educational Talent Search Program; Five-year federal grant will support 680 middle and high school students annually in Fayette, Bourbon and Clark counties

Published on Oct 5, 2026

LEXINGTON, KY — Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) has received a $1.7 million grant to continue its TRIO Educational Talent Search program, a long-standing college-access initiative that has helped thousands of students prepare for and pursue postsecondary education during its more than 30 years at BCTC.

The five-year grant supports BCTC’s Educational Talent Search program from Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2031. Funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education through an administrative service partnership executed through an interagency agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor.

BCTC’s Educational Talent Search program will serve 680 low-income and first-generation students in grades 6 through 12 across 18 middle and high schools in Fayette, Bourbon and Clark counties. The program is designed to help students overcome academic, financial and social barriers while building a pathway toward high school graduation, post-secondary enrollment and completion of a college degree, certificate or other credential.

“For more than three decades, Educational Talent Search has been an important part of BCTC’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and creating opportunities for students throughout our communities,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, BCTC Chancellor. “Thousands of students have benefited from the guidance, encouragement and resources this program provides. This continued investment allows us to reach students early, help remove barriers and ensure they understand that college and a meaningful career are within their reach. Educational Talent Search is a powerful example of how sustained support can change the trajectory of a student’s life and, ultimately, strengthen families and communities across our region.”

Educational Talent Search begins working with students as early as sixth grade, providing consistent support throughout middle and high school and during the transition to post-secondary education. Services include individualized advising and mentoring, academic support and tutoring, college and career exploration, assistance with course selection, college admissions guidance, SAT and ACT preparation, financial literacy education, and FAFSA and scholarship assistance.

Students and their families also participate in workshops, family engagement activities, college and career visits, and other experiences designed to build knowledge and confidence as students prepare for life after high school.

“Serving students in our communities through Educational Talent Search is incredibly rewarding because we have the opportunity to build relationships with students and families over several years and help them see possibilities they may not have previously considered,” said Tish Duvall, Director of Educational Talent Search and principal investigator for the grant. “Our work is about meeting students where they are, identifying the barriers that may stand between them and their goals, and connecting them with the resources, information and encouragement they need to move forward. Watching a student grow in confidence, graduate from high school and continue into post-secondary education is why this work matters. We are excited to continue serving students throughout Fayette, Bourbon and Clark counties for another five years.”

The program focuses on key milestones associated with long-term student success, including persistence in middle and high school, high school graduation, completion of a rigorous academic curriculum, enrollment in post-secondary education and completion of a college credential.

The new grant represents a continued federal investment in a program that has maintained a presence at BCTC for more than 30 years. Through early intervention, sustained mentoring and individualized support, Educational Talent Search helps students and families navigate the often-complex process of preparing for, applying to and financing post-secondary education.

“Programs like Educational Talent Search embody BCTC’s mission of creating a better life,” Feeney added. “When we help a young person recognize their potential and give them the tools to pursue it, the impact extends well beyond that individual student.”

For more information about BCTC Educational Talent Search, please contact Tish Duvall at tish.duvall@kctcs.edu.