The Kentucky Community and Technical College System has seen record high enrollment over the last year, with nearly 120,000 students currently enrolled.

CTCs announced a new partnership today with Northern Kentucky University to make it easier for community college students to continue their education.

Our Emily Sisk has more.

The president of Kentucky Community and Technical College System and Northern Kentucky University came together today to sign a partnership agreement between the two institutions.

The partnership is designed to provide community college students with a clear pathway to NKU, maximizing transferable credit hours and maintaining financial aid.

The message is simple it doesn't matter which community college you may start at.

If you want to transfer to Northern Kentucky University to get that baccalaureate degree or beyond.

That seamless pathway is now available across the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Gateway community and Technical Colleges located in Northern Kentucky with locations in Florence, Edgewood, and Covington.

CTCs President Ryan Corals said of its 120,000 students, around 15,000 transfer to a partner institution each year.

NKU President Katie Thompson said with this new partnership agreement, the university will provide special advising and priority registration for CTCs students.

This dual admission program supports participating students by maximizing the acceptance of their CTCs course credits to NKU and counting toward their degree.

This was the case for 22 year old Addison Dong, who graduated high school in Northern Kentucky and was undecided on what to do next.

At that time, I had quite literally no idea what I wanted to do.

I went through all the phases.

I said I was going to join the military.

I wanted to be a marine biologist.

We live in Kentucky.

And so ultimately my parents were like, Addison, it never hurts to have a trade under your belt.

Looking to gateway.

Danc attended Gateway Community and Technical College, where she earned her associate's and welding.

She started a job in the trades, but had a spark to continue her education.

She transferred to NKU, where she's now finishing her bachelor's degree in mechanical and manufacturing engineering.

Dong said more than half of her credits came from her community college classes.

This transition for me was incredibly seamless.

I had so much support from my people at gateway, and even after I became an NKU student, that support followed me.

Christopher Cannon also shared his student experience and why he chose to begin his college career through CTCs.

Coming from a family that has faced financial hardship.

Homelessness.

I face chronic illnesses.

Higher education did not seem possible.

Cannon was able to receive a scholarship to attend Gateway Community College, and is now completing his Masters in Athletic training from NKU.

Today's signing agreement marks the seventh partnership between CTCs and Kentucky's public four year institutions.

Kentucky State University is the only institution to not have a current partnership for Kentucky Edition.

I'm Emily Sisk.

And KC, TCS President Ryan Korrell said they're working to renew their partnership with Kentucky State.