PRESTONSBURG – Dr. Michael McCall, founding president and chief executive officer of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, came to Prestonsburg on Tuesday as part of an advocacy campaign visit of all 16 accredited community colleges in the state.

During the visit, McCall met with local public school superintendents to discuss the importance of preparing students for college and working together on dual-credit courses.

“We want to work closely with our high schools in developing dual-credit courses,” McCall said. “We have an outstanding relationship with our high schools, and we want students to take advantage of the higher education opportunities that we offer.”

Of the 5,000 students currently enrolled in Big Sandy Community and Technical College, 1,000 of them are still in high school.

McCall also spoke about the advocacy campaign and what he hopes to accomplish.

“We want to get the word out,” McCall said. “We want people to know the value that our colleges have for the community and what it can do for the state. Tough economic times require the education necessary to get jobs. Our students will be well-prepared for the jobs they are about to undertake. By better educating our citizenry, we are better educating our workplace. Also, we are working with Gov. Steve Beshear to maintain our funding at the current level and to not cut higher education anymore.”

The annual operating budget of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System is approximately $713 million. Over 100,000 students are currently enrolled on one of the 68 campuses in the state.

McCall also met with students, faculty, and Big Sandy Community and Technical College President Dr. George Edwards.

For more information on the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, visit http://www.kctcs.edu.