University to provide scholarship support to Pulaski County government employees and their immediate family members.
by Duane Bonifer
SOMERSET, KY. (03/31/2026) Lindsey Wilson University and Pulaski County government made history on Monday, March 30, when they signed an agreement that makes Pulaski County government employees and their immediate family members eligible to receive a special scholarship in Lindsey Wilson’s Education Outreach programs.
The Pulaski County Government Scholarship will be available to students in Lindsey Wilson bachelor’s programs in business administration, communication, criminal justice, human services and counseling, and nursing. It will also apply to the university’s graduate programs in business administration, counseling, cybersecurity management, data science and technology management, as well as the university’s doctoral program in counselor education and supervision.
The academic programs in LWU Educational Outreach are offered in traditional, online and hybrid formats. Lindsey Wilson has offered classes at Somerset Community College for more than 20 years. Part-time and full-time Pulaski County government employees are eligible to receive the need-based scholarship.
Pulaski County leaders said the new agreement with Lindsey Wilson can be a boon for the region’s economic-development efforts.
“A partnership with Lindsey Wilson University is important to Pulaski County because it directly strengthens the county’s workforce through expanded access to high-quality, career-focused education and training,” said Pulaski County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd. “By offering programs in fields like business administration, cybersecurity, technology management, data science, nursing, counseling and criminal justice, this agreement equips county employees with the skills needed to meet modern challenges and improve public service delivery.
“The inclusion of accredited counseling and human services programs further supports the well-being and professional development of those serving the community. Overall, this collaboration fosters continuous improvement, builds a more capable and adaptable workforce, and creates meaningful opportunities for growth that benefit both county government operations and the citizens of Pulaski County.”
And Lindsey Wilson leaders say they are grateful for Todd’s support of higher education in the region.
“I really appreciate the support Lindsey Wilson University receives from the Pulaski County government, especially from Judge Todd,” said Penny Rizenbergs, Lindsey Wilson coordinator of educational outreach. “Judge Todd truly has a heart for this community, and he has always gone above and beyond anything we’ve asked of him.”
Lindsey Wilson’s graduate program in counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, known as CACREP, an independent agency that accredits master’s and doctoral counseling programs in the United States.
That’s one reason why Lindsey Wilson graduates are in high demand, according to Rizenbergs.
“I get requests all of the time from local businesses and agencies requesting Lindsey Wilson graduates,” she said. “Many offices are run by Lindsey Wilson graduates, and several alumni operate their own counseling services in the region.”
Lindsey Wilson counseling professor Daniel Melear said he is excited about the educational opportunities the new scholarship will bring to Pulaski County.
“This will provide Pulaski County government employees and their family members a convenient, high-quality educational opportunity,” said Melear, who has taught in the Somerset program. “With the growing need for mental health services in Pulaski and surrounding counties, we are proud to say that Lindsey Wilson’s clinical mental health counseling program is CACREP accredited and has proven effective in preparing students for success in the field.”
Melear said “it’s been a delight” to work with Lindsey Wilson students who attend classes at the Somerset location.
“I’ve found them to be very motivated and genuine,” he said. “Our region has a great need for well-educated, ethical counselors.”
Pulaski County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd, second from left, signs the scholarship agreement between the county government and Lindsey Wilson University on Monday, March 30, in the Pulaski County Courthouse. Looking on are, from left: Lindsey Wilson Coordinator of Educational Outreach Penny Rizenbergs, Lindsey Wilson counseling professor Daniel Melear and Lindsey Wilson Regional Enrollment Director for Educational Outreach Cheryl Boger.
Pulaski County government and Lindsey Wilson University leaders signed an agreement on Monday, March 30, to allow Pulaski County government employees and their immediate family members eligible to receive a special scholarship in Lindsey Wilson’s Education Outreach programs. Pictured, from left: Lindsey Wilson Coordinator of Educational Outreach Penny Rizenbergs, Pulaski County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd, Lindsey Wilson counseling professor Daniel Melear and Lindsey Wilson Regional Enrollment Director for Educational Outreach Cheryl Boger.
Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 30 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university’s 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.
(Duane Bonifer – Lindsey Wilson University)