EDITOR’S NOTE: This edition of the Journal features Higher Education in West Kentucky. Just as the political landscape is changing in Kentucky, so to is the progress and energy of our higher education institutions.

If West Kentucky wants to be a part of the 21st Century, then we must embrace change and innovation. That will require courage on the part of many citizens to reach beyond their comfort zones. West Kentucky’s future will be golden if local governments, communities, and educational leaders can forge a common path toward reshaping a worn out manufacturing base economy to that of a new economy based upon innovation, information and knowledge based jobs.