Education Is Our Middle Name
Shae Hopkins Takes KET into the Future
Shae Hopkins is the executive director and chief executive officer of KET, Kentucky Educational Television, the only statewide broadcast and multimedia network in Kentucky, reaching 3.5 million households in eight states.
A 25-year veteran of KET, Hopkins was appointed the fourth leader of KET in its 43-year history in January 2010.
KET is Kentucky's leader in public media, the definitive source for public affairs coverage in Kentucky and the pre-eminent producer of programs, performances, and documentaries exploring Kentucky arts and culture.
KET is Kentucky's premier producer of instructional multimedia—and a leading producer nationwide. Indeed, KET is Kentucky's largest, most efficient, and highly effective classroom.
Hopkins is committed to KET's founding mission to provide equitable access to lifelong learning for all citizens, regardless of income or location.
Under her leadership, KET has harnessed resources and implemented new technologies to expand local and educational content—particularly early childhood, P-16, teacher professional development, adult education and adult literacy resources and services—on all platforms.
Hopkins is focused on developing innovative educational resources and strengthening KET's partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education and other state and national institutions, to provide professional development modules, distance learning courses, and multimedia tools for the classroom that support statewide educational reform and national common core state standards.
In addition, Hopkins has expanded KET's production of local content, including informative public affairs series, coverage of the proceedings of the General Assembly, extensive candidate and election coverage, health and education policy programs, and inspiring arts and culture programs.
Prior to being named executive director and CEO, Hopkins served in progressive management positions within KET, including Deputy Executive Director of Education, Programming and Production, where she was responsible for KET's day-to-day operations and oversaw the development of a wide range of content and production.
Hopkins attended the University of Kentucky and resides in Lexington, Ky.
Recent National Recognition and Awards (2010, 2011)
- 2011 National Advocacy Award from the Association of Public Television Stations
- Hopkins was appointed in 2011 by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to the inaugural board of Digital Promise (National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies)
- 2010, 2011: five awards from the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA), including the prestigious Enterprise and Innovation Award for KET's 2010 reorganization
- 2010 National Friends of Public Broadcasting's Grassroots Advocacy Award (awarded to volunteer and staff team)
- 2010 Community Impact Award for Education from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
- KET was recognized by the National Coalition for Literacy with the 2010 Literacy Leadership Award
Current Industry, Civic and Community Engagement
- Collaborative Center for Literacy Development Advisory Committee
- Governor's Post-Secondary Education Nominating Commission
- Governor's Transforming Education in Kentucky Task Force
- Kentucky Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission
- Kentucky Film Commission
- Digital Promise/National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies Board
- National Educational Telecommunications Association Board
- National Educational Telecommunications Association Executive Committee
- Organization of State Broadcast Executives Board
- PBS LearningMedia Station Advisory Board
- University of Kentucky College of Communications & Information Studies National Advisory Board