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FRANKFORT, KY – Kentucky State University (KSU) was the institution of distinction at The Showcase of HBCUs in Louisville, KY on Thursday, November 9, 2023.

“I really loved the camaraderie of the KSU family today,” said Andrea Houston of The Showcase of HBCUs. “They came out in droves for KSU. That was so good for our students to see, the love for Kentucky State University.”

Since 2006, The Showcase of HBCUs has made more than 15,000 students aware of college and career opportunities, specifically at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). About 1,300 students from Louisville, Lexington, and the surrounding region were registered to attend the event, the first since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is great to see so many students getting awareness of the richness of HBCU history and the opportunity to a gateway to educational empowerment at Kentucky State University,” said Gill Finley Jr., Program Leader in Community Economic Development in KSU’s Cooperative Extension Program.

Students had the opportunity to connect with Kentucky State University’s College of Agriculture, Community, and the Sciences; College of Humanities, Business and Society; Athletics; Greek Life; MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences); Residence Life; and the Student Life Teams.

Kentucky State University’s Land Grant Program hosted an exhibit space with an aquaponics demonstration, a meet-and-greet with Bill the Goat, hands-on animal science activities, a drone demonstration, an augmented reality sandbox, as well as additional resources and information were provided.

Kentucky State University personnel also presented to students about applying to KSU and career paths in agriculture and related fields. Finley said many students discovered for the first time how many career options there are in agriculture here in the Commonwealth. There was also great interest in nursing at KSU and as a career path to help impact their communities.

During one of the presentations, alumna Jo Ann James asked if she could speak about Kentucky State University’s positive impact on her life. A first-generation college graduate, James shared how special it was to graduate from an HBCU.

“To have alumni coming in to actually rally and support and recruit was so encouraging and inspiring,” James said.

For more information about applying to Kentucky State University, contact admissions@kysu.edu or go to https://www.kysu.edu/apply. For more information about The Showcase of HBCUs, visit https://showcasehbcu.com.

Photo Above: Students talking with KSU personnel at the Showcase of the HBCUs in Louisville, KY.

Photo Below: Alumna Jo Ann James speaking to attendees with Dr. Gill Finley.