Southeast Kentucky Chamber Hosts Lunch & Learn with BSCTC Interim President, Samuel Todd Brand, Ph.D

PIKEVILLE, KY (Nov. 13, 2024) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce hosted a Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 with Big Sandy Community & Technical College (BSCTC) Interim President, Samuel Todd Brand, Ph.D.

The event was well-attended by local business and community leaders, representing organizations such as Amazon Hub, Eastern Telephone & Technologies, Brightview, One East Kentucky, and Pikeville Medical Center.

Dr. Brand’s presentation focused on the work they’re doing at BSCTC to innovate higher education in eastern Kentucky.  He addressed problems of lower workforce participation, the rise of artificial intelligence, and lack of interest in attending college, and what BSCTC is doing to adapt to these changes. Dr. Brand pointed out that by 2031 there will be around 2.1 million jobs available in Kentucky, over 1 million of which will require some form of higher education; BSCTC can train students for 700,000 of those jobs that will become available.

Dr. Brand explained the changes being implemented at BSCTC. The college has increased enrollment this fall, introduced the Prison Education Program, revamped the class schedule to better accommodate students and their needs, and is bringing in new programming such as food truck entrepreneurship and music production.

As Interim President, Dr. Brand is ineligible to apply for the full time position, but that will not stop him from making the biggest impact he can. To conclude his presentation, Dr. Brand said, “We’ve got 365 days. I’m almost halfway into it and we’ve accomplished some things, we have much yet to accomplish, we’re going to keep running hard.”

“We’re so grateful to Dr. Brand for speaking at our Lunch & Learn and telling us all about the great things happening at BSCTC,” said Katie Belt, Programs & Media Manager for the Southeast Kentucky Chamber.  “It’s exciting to hear about the innovative changes happening at the college and to see the impact this will have on Eastern Kentucky.

To watch a recording of Dr. Brand’s presentation, you can login to the Chamber’s Member Information Center by going to www.business.sekchamber.com/login

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is located at 178 College Street in Pikeville and serves more than 500 businesses in eight Eastern Kentucky Counties: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike. The Chamber’s mission is to serve the businesses of Southeastern Kentucky through a commitment to networking, advocacy, education, and collaboration as we partner together to enhance the business climate in our region.

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