Our History
Established in 1964
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) is a member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), which includes 16 districts across the state of Kentucky. The college provides accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning.
ECTC was formed by the consolidation of Elizabethtown Community College and Elizabethtown Technical College in 2004. The college is built on 80 acres of land in Elizabethtown off College Street Road and includes the Central Regional Postsecondary Education Center, which also houses an extended campus of Western Kentucky University.
In 1962 the first building was erected on the Elizabethtown Community College (ECC) campus, and the doors were opened in 1964 to 355 students. ECC operated under the University of Kentucky Community College System until 1998 when it became part of KCTCS. The college now serves students from 10 counties, including Breckinridge, Green, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Taylor, and Washington.
Elizabethtown Technical College (ETC) was founded in 1965 through a bond issue by the Elizabethtown Independent School Board. The Commonwealth of Kentucky provided equipment for the facility and assumed responsibility for its operation. In 1972 the state purchased the land and building from the Elizabethtown Independent School Board. In 1998 ETC became a technical college under the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
Since 2017 alone, ECTC has launched a number of new academic programs and initiatives, ensuring higher education is accessible, affordable and relevant to the needs of our region. The college’s newest academic programs include sonography, robotics, agriculture technology, health science technology as well as a hospitality track within the business administration systems program.
In 2018, ECTC strengthened its partnership with Western Kentucky University to provide ROTC courses and established paramedic program and EMT certification through a partnership with Owensboro Community and Technical College.
In addition, ECTC partnered with Meade County Schools to open its Meade County Center in the fall of 2018, offering both technical and general education classes. Meanwhile, the college’s main campus in Elizabethtown, Springfield Campus, Leitchfield Campus and Fort Knox Center continue to prosper.
In January 2018, ECTC celebrated a special milestone as it accepted the largest gift in the college’s 54-year history. Dr. Robert and Rita Robbins presented a $1 million gift to the college from the Dr. Robert E. and Rita H. Robbins Fund of Central Kentucky Community Foundation.
The investment is earmarked to help fund a University Center, which will bring new baccalaureate and graduate programs to Elizabethtown. The college is developing initiatives to make the University Center a reality.
More Opportunity for Students
ECTC also has enhanced programs to help students succeed. For example, the college celebrated the opening of Military and Veteran Services in the fall of 2018. Formerly known as the Veteran Center of Excellence, the new office has expanded to serve active duty military, families and veterans, assisting with navigating education benefits, transitioning to college life and achieving academic goals.
The college is also a place where students make friends and find community. From Student Government Association, to Barons sports, to more than a dozen official clubs, ECTC students can easily get involved and make connections.
A member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, ECTC offers the lowest college tuition in the state and is proud to take part in programs that make college even more affordable.
This includes the Work Ready Scholarship, through which students can earn associate degrees in high demand career fields tuition-free. Fields include advanced manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, business and information technology.
Serving the Community
From employer-specific job skills training and Summer Kids College provided through ECTC’s Workforce Solutions, to enrichment classes for lifelong learners to hosting cultural and educational events throughout the year, ECTC offers something for everyone. Most recently, ECTC welcomed Hardin County Playhouse to campus, allowing the community theater group to use the Science Auditorium.
