Dr. Michael B. McCall, the founding president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, announced his retirement Friday from the system he created and led for 16 years.
McCall said he will remain until a successor is named and in place to ensure a smooth transition.
Next month, Board of Regents Chair P.G. Peeples will start a presidential search process to develop a timeline for a nationwide search.
The General Assembly created the KCTCS in 1997, joining the 14 University of Kentucky community colleges with the 15 technical institutes in the Kentucky Workforce Development cabinet under a new system. Today, KCTCS has grown to 16 colleges and over 700 programs making it the state's number one provider of workforce and postsecondary education.
McCall said he will continue work on the 2010-2016 Business Plan for Transforming Kentucky past his retirement. The plan is designed to move students through college systems in less time and with less cost.
McCall's official retirement date is Janurary 15th, 2015.