Bluegrass Community and Technical College Receives Truist Foundation Grant to Support Career Advancement for Resettled Immigrant Families

Published on Jul 10, 2026

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Truist Foundation to support “New Roots, New Careers: Empowering Resettled Families,” a one-year initiative designed to help immigrants overcome employment barriers and achieve greater economic mobility. 

The project will provide English as a Second Language (ESL) education and specialized tutoring services for 30 immigrants who have lived in the United States for more than five years but remain underemployed or have not yet earned credentials that align with their skills, experience, and career goals. 

Through targeted educational support, participants will strengthen their English language proficiency, improve workplace communication skills, and gain access to resources that can help them pursue credentials, training, and employment opportunities leading to family-sustaining careers. 

“This grant reflects our commitment to access,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, Chancellor of Bluegrass Community and Technical College. “With the support of the Truist Foundation, we can provide the educational resources and personalized support needed to help participants build successful careers, strengthen their families, and contribute to the continued growth of our region.” 

The initiative recognizes that many resettled immigrants and refugees continue to encounter challenges even years after arriving in the United States. By addressing language barriers and providing individualized academic support, the program aims to help participants move beyond entry-level employment and pursue meaningful career advancement opportunities. 

The project will be led by Erin Howard, Associate Dean for Global Learning and Principal Investigator for the grant. 

“Access to education is one of the most powerful tools for economic mobility,” said Erin Howard. “Through New Roots, New Careers, we will help participants strengthen the language skills and confidence needed to navigate educational and workforce pathways in the United States. By building on the education, career experience, and skills participants already possess, we can help them apply those strengths in our community and access higher-wage employment opportunities. We are grateful to the Truist Foundation for investing in the potential of these individuals and helping create opportunities that will have a lasting impact on families throughout our community.” 

The grant aligns with BCTC’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality education and workforce development opportunities that prepare individuals for success in a rapidly evolving economy. By supporting immigrants as they pursue education and career goals, the college continues to strengthen Kentucky’s workforce and foster inclusive economic growth.