Versailles, Ky. (December 2, 2016) - Tammy Thompson, public relations coordinator at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, was elected board secretary to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) Board of Regents, during a board meeting last week.

Thompson, a staff representative on the KCTCS Board of Regents, will fill the vacancy created by Regent Betsy Flynn's term expiration in September 2016. Thompson will serve as the Secretary to the KCTCS Board of Regents beginning December 2, 2016, through June 30, 2017.

Thompson, who has worked at WKCTC since 1993, was elected by KCTCS staff members during a special election to fill four vacant board positions in 2015. A McCracken County resident, Thompson received an associate in applied science degree in 1989 from Paducah Community College (now known as WKCTC) and a bachelor's degree in radio and television from Murray State University in 1991. She worked at WPSD-TV Local 6 following graduation. Prior to accepting the position as public relations coordinator in 2009, Thompson worked as a television producer/director for WKCTC's television department for 16 years.

During today's meeting, the board received positive results from KCTCS's annual independent financial audit for the fiscal year 2015-16. The opinion issued by Crowe Horwarth LLP was an "unmodified opinion," the highest opinion offered by public accounting firms. KCTCS has received an unmodified opinion every year since its inception in 1998.

"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this audit," said KCTCS Board of Regent Chair Marcia L. Roth. "It clearly demonstrates KCTCS' commitment to strong stewardship and fiscal responsibility, which is key to accomplishing our role in fueling the state's economy by being the primary provider of workforce training and providing Kentuckians with a clear path to finding a job."

The board also approved the request to name the current Henderson Fine Arts Center on the campus of Henderson Community College (HCC) to the Preston Arts Center. Raymond B. Preston was one of the founding trustees of the College Foundation, Inc. established in 1957 to generate private financial support for HCC. Mr. Preston supported the campaigns to construct the Henderson Fine Arts Center and the Academic Technical Building on campus.

In other action, the board:

• Approved three new program proposals.
• Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology for Hopkinsville Community College.
• Associate in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic for Bluegrass Community and Technical College.
• Associate in Applied Science in Supply Chain Management for Bluegrass Community and Technical College.
• Ratified 20 certificate programs.
• Approved 5,992 academic credential requests between July 19, 2016 - October 3, 2016 (associate degrees, diplomas and certificates). These credentials include:
• 3,956 candidates for certificates,
• 436 candidates for diplomas, and
• 1,600 candidates for associate degrees.

The next KCTCS Board of Regents meeting will be March 10, 2017 at the KCTCS System Office in Versailles, Kentucky.