Muhlenberg Achieves presenters provided the Muhlenberg County Board of Education with an update on summer–to–career programming and a middle-grades intervention that the organization says is expanding students’ exposure to postsecondary options and work-based learning.

The presentation, delivered by Lisa Green, program manager for Muhlenberg Achieves, and Rachel Evitz, middle-grades program manager for the Ignite program, summarized this year’s college tours, FAFSA and application support, “lunch and learn” career sessions at the high school and an Ignite curriculum that pairs soft-skills instruction with job shadows and paid community service work.

The programs aim to increase postsecondary enrollment, career certification completion and local workforce readiness by connecting students with colleges, technical programs and employers. Green said the initiative began in 2015 as “a partnership between Muhlenberg County Schools and the Felix E. Martin Junior Foundation” and described efforts to reframe the meaning of “college” to include certificate and technical programs at community colleges.

Green said 157 of the district’s 233 seniors attended the district’s Ready for Twelfth Grade event last August, and the district ran six college tours this fall with 96 seniors participating. The program covered one college application fee per senior at five application events; Green said the district covered applications for 80 seniors. She also noted ongoing FAFSA workshops and a career fair planned for March 13.

Evitz described Ignite’s focus on soft-skills development, career exploration and career training. She said the program took approximately 250 eighth graders on pathway tours in November, and that Ignite students completed 143 paid work hours collectively last semester. “We pay them $8 an hour, and it goes into the program account,” Evitz said, describing job-shadowing rotations, community service events and stipends students used to purchase necessities and gifts.

Presenters said the program emphasizes family engagement and connecting students to local employers and postsecondary pathways, noting examples such as tours to Madisonville Community College and workforce programs (lineman, CDL and diesel mechanics) as well as healthcare, public safety and education career events. Green and Evitz said the programs intentionally include middle-school interventions so students encounter career information before senior year decisions are final.

Board members responded positively and asked about parent engagement and sustainability; presenters said they cover certain costs with grant funding (Martin Foundation grant funds were referenced) and that many events are run in partnership with local colleges and employers.

Muhlenberg Achieves and Ignite materials—including program goals, mission statement and a schedule of events for the 2024–25 program year—were provided to board members in the meeting packet.

Looking ahead, presenters invited local employers and community partners to participate in the March 13 career fair and signaled plans to continue expanding job shadows and employer relationships.

Sources: Presentation to the Muhlenberg County Board of Education by Lisa Green, program manager, Muhlenberg Achieves; Rachel Evitz, middle-grades program manager, Ignite.