Beth Hargis was named the Kentucky Department of Education’s Associate Commissioner in the Office of Career and Technical Education and State CTE Director last year. In Kentucky, Career Technical Education (CTE) is housed in the Kentucky Department of Education, where the Office oversees middle grades and secondary CTE, youth and registered apprenticeships and the area technical center system.
Beth began her career in industry and is especially interested in supporting state and local leaders and instructors in designing and aligning Career Technical Education (CTE) programs to industry needs. After years of working as a staff accountant and CFO of a non-profit, Beth started teaching business at the secondary level and earned two master’s degrees and a doctoral degree in secondary education and educational leadership. After a few years in the classroom, Beth became a principal of an area technical center, where she had the opportunity to take a deep dive into all aspects of CTE. That role then eventually led to being named State CTE Director.
Beth’s postsecondary endeavors have focused on program alignment and meeting industry and community needs, and she is excited to apply that background in her current role to help have the skills and support to stay in their communities to live and work.
Beth wants to take advantage of the increased spotlight on CTE in Kentucky and use it as an opportunity to “make sure our CTE is state of the art and what our learners and stakeholders need to keep Kentucky’s economy moving forward.” There are several initiatives in the works to move that vision forward, including supporting CTE instructors through a New Teacher Institute and updated pay structures; creating new formulas and processes to center data in determining program quality, need and ultimately funding; and expanding dual credit. Beth also strives to expand access to work-based learning through healthcare apprenticeship opportunities, increasing pre-apprenticeship programs and including co-ops as career-ready experiences.
When not championing CTE, Beth enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two grandchildren and is excited about a third on the way (‘everything you hear about crazy grandparents is absolutely true’), and being involved in her church.
Please join us in welcoming Beth to this new role!
Stacy Whitehouse, Communications Manager