Clay County graduate Briley Hooker begins a degree in criminal justice at EKU Manchester this fall, with scholarships and dual credit helping him pursue his goal of becoming a lawyer.
Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Manchester Campus provides students in Clay County and surrounding communities with an opportunity to pursue education close to home.
“EKU is rooted in our service region so students don’t have to leave their hometown to pursue an education,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “Our Manchester and regional campuses allow students to earn a high-quality degree close to home and turn that education into a high-impact career right in their community.”
Briley Hooker graduated from Clay County High School in May and begins his criminal justice degree at EKU Manchester this fall. He earned dual credit in high school, giving him a head start on his college education. Scholarships from several organizations, including EKU, are helping to make college affordable for the first-generation college student.
“I chose EKU because they have a campus in my community, and it was the most affordable option for me,” Hooker said. “Manchester Campus has everything I need to complete my major.”
As a member of the Thompson Scholars Foundation throughout most of high school, Hooker serves his community in Manchester through career fairs, health fairs and science fairs, trash pickup and animal control. He plans to continue serving his region and Kentucky through a career in law, with an interest in criminal or family law.
At EKU, Hooker’s eager to learn more about the justice system and get involved at the Manchester Campus. He credits the people along his path for helping him reach this point.
“I’ve worked hard to get here, but the work’s just beginning and I plan to go further,” Hooker said.
EKU’s regional campuses in Manchester and Corbin offer courses that meet all general education requirements, along with access to degree programs that can be completed at the regional campus or fully online. More than 12,000 EKU graduates began their education at EKU Manchester or EKU Corbin.
Of EKU’s current student population, nearly 250 are from Clay County. More than half are first-generation college students. The top five programs of study among Clay County students include nursing, general studies, criminal justice, social work and psychology.
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Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees.