Beshear Appoints UK Law Student to Council for Postsecondary Education

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 1, 2012) — Gov. Steve Beshear has appointed a third-year University of Kentucky College of Law student to the Council for Postsecondary Education (CPE). 

Christopher J. "CJ" Ryan Jr., 26, will serve for a term ending June 30, 2013. Ryan succeeds Kirby L. O'Donoghue, whose term has expired. 

Ryan says his motivation to serve on the council is "in the blood." 

"I come from a family committed to education," he said. "My mother is a school counselor, and my father chose to earn a doctorate and teach college-level English, leaving behind a successful 25-year career in business. From an early age, my parents instilled in me the importance of an education, as a crucial component of vital community and economic development, and the life-long pursuit of learning."

Ryan's role will be to represent the interests of postsecondary students in the Commonwealth, a responsibility he says is both truly humbling and a great honor. In addition to setting tuition caps at public universities and licensing independent colleges in the Commonwealth, CPE has a number of initiatives aimed at promoting student success.

"The council’s most recent and award-winning initiative, Project Graduate, endeavors to help adults who have started a degree program, but were unable to finish, achieve completion of their degree," Ryan said. "The council’s current strategic agenda, Stronger by Degrees, seeks the same outcome for all postsecondary students, especially traditional students, in less time and at less expense." 

Ryan grew up in Dallas, Texas, and he earned his bachelor's degree in English and Spanish literature from Dartmouth College. He also entered an AmeriCorps program, taught in a rural Louisiana high school for two years, and earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Notre Dame before coming to Kentucky to study law. After graduation, Ryan plans to practice in civil litigation. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Hautala, (859) 323-2396; keith.hautala@uky.edu