Jolly recognized for efforts, named 2025 MCTC Pathfinder of the Year
Published on May 1, 2025
By Rachel Adkins
Maysville Community and Technical College is pleased to announce Cindy Jolly as the
2025 recipient of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System High School
Teacher/Counselor Pathfinder Award.
The Pathfinder Award is a system-wide effort to celebrate and recognize the high school teachers and counselors for including MCTC and fostering relationships with students to lead to better lives.
Jolly serves as the GEAR UP Kentucky District Program Manager at Fleming County High School, qualifying her for the award contest through her efforts in recommending students to MCTC.
“If you look around this room, there are so many people who champion for MCTC, superintendents, counselors, principals, and our GEAR UP partners,” said Jason Butler, an MCTC recruiter. “Cindy Jolly embodies all things MCTC, always including the college and helping us spread the word.”
According to Jolly, she once attended MCTC and carries her experiences with her to this day. She noted the foundation given to her by the institution.
“Without MCTC, that foundation that I received, I definitely would not have been as successful as what I was. I credit them for that always,” Jolly remarked.
As someone who works in a rural community, Jolly knows the value of attending a school where students can have close relationships with their support staff and faculty.
“I’ve told my students, if you want a good foundation, please go to Maysville Community College. They care. You have a one-on-one relationship with the people there…You are a person there, not a number,” Jolly said.
She remarked on what it meant to her to be chosen as the 2025 MCTC Pathfinder of the Year.
“To be Pathfinder of the Year, it’s something that I never even fathomed that I would receive. It is such an honor. I work so very hard to promote postsecondary education to my students…it’s truly humbling,” she explained.
Jolly left her audience with a word of inspiration, encouraging them to follow their dreams and noting that anyone, even someone from a small town, can achieve their goals.
“No matter your age…you can go to MCTC, and you can start your education and someone will help you. It’s a wonderful place to be. It’s never too late to start with that dream…You can do it, it’s attainable. We are so blessed to have MCTC in our community,” Jolly concluded.
