Interview with Roy M. Palk, July 23, 2014

Partial Transcript: Alright. This is James Savage, I'm talking to Mr. Roy Palk. It is July 23, 2014, we are at the KCTCS office in Versailles.

Segment Synopsis: Palk discusses Dr. McCall's leadership skills. He talks about serving on KCTCS's Foundation Board. Palk discusses his education as a non-traditional student.

Keywords: East Kentucky Power Cooperative; KCTCS Foundation Board; Michael B. McCall; Non-traditional students

Subjects: College presidents; Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Kentucky Community & Technical College System

Partial Transcript: Now, when you were first approached about joining this Foundation for something called KCTCS, how aware of the system were you? Or how aware of you of the system's formation?

Segment Synopsis: Palk talks about his first impressions of the KCTCS formation. He discusses his decision to join the KCTCS Foundation Board. Palk describes Dr. McCall's success as a leader.

Keywords: Legislation; Lexington Community College; Michael B. McCall; Reform

Subjects: Community Colleges--Kentucky; Educational change--Kentucky.; Kentucky Community & Technical College System

Partial Transcript: I want to ask you, uh, as a, as an industry leader, to sort of assess, from, from your point of view, what the workforce of Kentucky looked like when you're trying to sustain a company, you know, before KCTCS.

Segment Synopsis: Palk talks about the difficulty of hiring qualified people before KCTCS was formed. He talks about the importance of KCTCS expanding certification programs.

Keywords: Certifications; Certified lineman training; Training; Vocational schools; Workforce

Subjects: Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Technical education--Kentucky.

Partial Transcript: Let's talk a little bit about the, we sort of jumped a bit, but I do want to go back to talk about the Foundation. You were, you were called upon by your colleagues to join this Foundation.

Segment Synopsis: Palk talks about the initial goals and challenges of the Foundation Board. He discusses the board's finances and serving as chair of the Foundation Board.

Keywords: Budget; Funding; KCTCS Board of Regents; KCTCS Foundation Board; Meetings; Unity

Subjects: College trustees.; Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Kentucky Community & Technical College System

Partial Transcript: How aware was the Foundation, I imagine pretty aware, actually, of, you know, things like the consolidation efforts. Uh, did that change the way that you all would approach trying to sell KCTCS, at all?

Segment Synopsis: Palk talks about the benefits and challenges of the KCTCS consolidation. He discusses how the Foundation Board appeals to different industries. Palk talks about Dr. McCall's involvement with the Foundation Board. He speaks more about what makes Dr. McCall a good leader.

Keywords: Consolidation; Faculty; Forums; KCTCS Foundation Board; Michael B. McCall; Staff

Subjects: Education, Higher--Kentucky.; Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Schools--Centralization.

Partial Transcript: Let's talk a little about your work in the, in the power industry. Um, what, just, you're still pretty much, you're very much involved with the consulting committee.

Segment Synopsis: Palk talks about the challenge of dealing with constant change in the power industry and how this presents educational opportunities for KCTCS. He discusses the environmental issues facing the power industry as well as problems with Kentucky's coal industry.

Keywords: Changes; Coal industry; Environmental concerns; Power industry; Regulations; Technology

Subjects: Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Power resources--Kentucky.; Technical education--Kentucky.

Partial Transcript: Building on that, if you were asked to design a curriculum for a course, at, let's say, KCTCS, for students who are going to go into the coal industry, who aim to do that. What would those students need in order to encounter this change that you're talking about?

Segment Synopsis: Palk talks about what training would be necessary for those interested in entering the coal industry. He discusses what type of person makes a good employee. Palk defines clean coal and explains why it is beneficial. He talks about the value of KCTCS. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Chemistry; Coal industry; Electrical; Kentucky economics; Mechanical; Skills; Training

Subjects: Kentucky Community & Technical College System; Power resources--Kentucky.; Technical education--Kentucky.