Jefferson continues to invest in resources for students of need in our community.
In the Fall 2019 class of 12,602 students, 62% are eligible for income-based federal
Pell grant (designed to support low-income college students), 37% are first-generation
college students, and 35% self-identify as an under-represented minority. We know
many Jefferson students face non-academic barriers to success in college: in the last
12 months, one in five Jefferson students experienced food insecurity and one in ten
experienced housing insecurity (according to a student survey administered in February
2020).
Challenges associated with the coronavirus are driving a substantial increase in the
need for these important resources, even as plans are underway to step up investment
in these critical initiatives.
With investment of $1.6 million from philanthropy and $2 million in federal grants,
the College’s Student Support wrap-around services provide a crucial safety net, particularly
in the areas of: 1) academic support – intensive advising, free tutoring sessions,
and/or scholarships; 2) access to the Student Emergency Fund and the Hub Food Pantry;
and 3) providing quality student engagement activities, such as those promoting a
safe space and leadership development opportunities for minority students in the Multi-Cultural
Center.
Advanced Manufacturing & Information Technology (AMIT) Center
The AMIT Center Initiative expands Jefferson’s capacity to teach Advanced Manufacturing,
Automotive Technology, Computerized and Information Technology, as well as other high-wage/high-demand
jobs that connect to regional middle-skills jobs and income ($40,000-$70,000). The
AMIT Center increases the Colleges annual capacity in AMIT programs by 55%, within
five years it will award more than 10,000 AMIT credentials.
AMIT Building opens Fall 2020 – Secured required match for $16.6 million from the
State with a diverse capital stack involving Metro Louisville, local foundations,
corporate philanthropy and College investment for total of $27 million. Projected
$551 million in incremental wages for grads.
Automotive Technology Expansion – Project includes a $3 million renovation of the
Technical Campus to expand Auto Tech programs with the move of Adv. Manufacturing
programs to AMIT. Partnerships with Toyota and the Chrysler Career Automotive Program,
as well as the recent Mercedes Service Program, are driving the increased demand for
Auto Tech skills.
Expanded student pipeline – AMIT Center is already attracting increasing numbers of
students from the College’s workforce and academic partnerships, including a projected
200+/year developing from collaborations with the relevant JCPS Academies. 57 manufacturers
and IT companies are providing learn/work support and career pathways.
Campus Transformation
The College and the Foundation have created master plans for all of Jefferson’s campuses,
addressing critical needs for: 1) additional instructional space; 2) positive and
engaging student “front door” experience; and 3) improved student safety throughout
the campuses and additional, strategically-located parking.
The Foundation is targeting resources for activation of the Downtown Campus master
plan, through: 1) active cultivation and encouragement of PPP investment in the surrounding
blocks through neighborhood relationship building and attraction of outside investors;
2) seed investment of $400,000 in outdoor placemaking along the 1st St corridor, targeting
the AMIT Center opening for completion, for potential neighborhood-wide expansion;
and 3) continued fundraising for student spaces.
With $800,000 in gift and College investment to date, plans are under development
for continued transformation of all of the campuses as state-of-the-art, green, and
accessible environments for students, the community, and as a driver of economic development
for the Region overall.
