Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

Board Training

A State Priority

While many board members bring expertise from their respective fields, most are not familiar with the intricacies of state higher education systems and university operations. Required training helps board members approach their roles with greater confidence, better understand state and national issues affecting Kentucky higher education, and avoid decisions that could negatively impact their institutions.

In 2016, Kentucky’s legislature directed the Council to “develop in cooperation with each public university and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System a comprehensive orientation and education program for new members of the council and the governing boards” (KRS 164.020, Section 25).

This training requirement applies to all newly appointed or elected board members of the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), public universities, and KCTCS, and must be completed within the first year of appointment. The statute also requires that CPE provide continuing education opportunities for all board members actively serving their terms.

New Board Member Education and Orientation Program

All newly appointed or elected board members of the Council, public universities and KCTCS must complete a minimum of six hours of orientation and training within their first year of appointment. 

The Council and the appointed institution share in this responsibility of providing orientation to new board members. State-level training provides high-level overviews of CPE, higher education governance, and the role of a trustee. Campus-level training focuses more specifically on institutional information needed to carry out duties.  Both trainings will touch on legal issues such as open meeting and open record laws, and both must be completed within one year of appointment or election. 

The state-level training is offered through an eLearning platform in two courses that are accessible on your desktop, tablet, and phone.  

When accessing the site, create your own log-in credentials using your email or your Facebook, LinkedIn or Google credentials. If at any time you need to leave the course, the program will document your progress and allow you to pick back up where you left off. Progress and completion are tracked by your individual login and then reported to CPE staff. 

Continuing Education Opportunities

Guiding CPE Policies

Guiding Legislation

To access other legislation about Kentucky's postsecondary education boards, visit LRC's postsecondary webpage.

For information about campus board appointments, roles and responsibilities, view the following legislation:

Those with questions about board training should contact Heather Faesy.

Last Updated: 6/12/2025