EKU, KCTCS partnership reduces time and cost for transfer students
Published on Sep 3, 2025
A historic transfer agreement between Eastern Kentucky University and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System will help more students begin at a community college and transfer seamlessly to EKU and earn four-year degrees.
Officials announced Tuesday that EKU will expand its 23 transfer pathways to students at any of the state’s 16 community colleges. The partnership maximizes credit transfer, reduces time to degree and provides access to transfer scholarships valued at $4,000 per year.
“We have long been partners with KCTCS with more students transferring from KCTCS to EKU than any other university, and we’re proud to be the top choice for transfer students,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “This extended partnership reinforces our mission of access, affordability and student success and demonstrates a shared commitment to removing barriers to higher education for Kentuckians.”
The agreement maintains accreditation and financial aid standards, and provides students with advising, scholarships, free textbooks and priority registration. Students will also benefit from joint admission options, reverse transfer opportunities and guaranteed support from both institutions. The goal is to remove barriers to completing credentials between the two institutions.
“Our students prove time and again that they’re ready to succeed at the university level by earning an average 3.6 GPA post-transfer,” said KCTCS President Ryan Quarles. “I’m grateful to President McFaddin for his leadership to put students first and expand our collective impact across the commonwealth.”
In the 2023-24 academic year, 595 community college students transferred to EKU within one year. EKU once again earned a spot on Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll in 2025, which recognizes the top four-year institutions in terms of transfer friendliness. Each year, about 14,000 KCTCS students transfer to a four-year college or university.
One of those students was Kahlilah Mitchell, who earned her associate degree at KCTCS before transferring to EKU. She went on to complete her bachelor’s degree in social work and is now pursuing her Master of Social Work at EKU.
“Each step has been a milestone, not just for me, but for my son too,” said Mitchell. “At EKU, I found another strong support system in the Center for Student Parents. They became a place where I could find guidance, encouragement and resources tailored to my journey as a mother and a student.”
