Oral History Interview with Julie Schmidt

Partial Transcript: The interviewer introduces Julie Schmidt and the topic of the interview.



"Could you describe a little bit of the history of KET?"

Segment Synopsis: Schmidt provides a brief history of Kentucky Educational Television.



She explains that KET is committed to education and serves schools across the state. Schmidt states that KET also supports life-long learning.

Partial Transcript: "Tell us about your position here."

Segment Synopsis: Schmidt states that she works with the communities that KET serves, and tries to find ways to better serve those communities across the state. She describes an initiative that helps develop work-place essential skills such as resume building, interview training, and promotes proper communication within the work-place environment.



Schmidt briefly describes her path this this position. She discusses her experience with Leadership Kentucky.



She discusses growing up on military bases throughout the country because her father was a B-52 U.S. Air force pilot.

Keywords: Leadership Kentucky

Partial Transcript: "How did you get involved in the Kentucky 225 Commission?"

Segment Synopsis: Schmidt states that it was a "natural fit" for KET to be involved in the Kentucky 225 Commission. She describes some of the programs that KET sponsored for this commemorative event.

Keywords: Kentucky 225

Partial Transcript: "That's the legacy of this commission. People in Kentucky are coming together and working toward a common goal. Do you agree? How do you feel this Commission played out in the long run?"

Segment Synopsis: Schmidt states that she agrees, and that the relationships formed throughout the Kentucky 225 initiative became a great platform to work on other issues throughout Kentucky.



Schmidt goes on to discuss a bit of her family history and her status as a Kentuckian.



She states that people in Kentucky want to celebrate the stories and lives of others.

Partial Transcript: "What makes Kentucky challenging, what are the challenges that we as a state and commonwealth face?"

Segment Synopsis: Schmidt states that Kentuckians need to attempt to care for other people and get to know other individuals' situations outside of their own. She states that many places of work need employees, many people are without jobs, and briefly touches on Kentucky's problem with drugs. She states that there is a gap between a high school education and a good-paying job with benefits.

Partial Transcript: "What is your hope for Kentucky in the next 20 to 25 years? What do you hope we will be doing during those times?"

Segment Synopsis: Schmidt states that she hopes everyone in the state feels meaningful, and has meaningful relationships. She states that she hopes every child in the state is served in the best ways possible.



She explains that KET is able to work towards this goal by placing a lens on the areas where the problems lie, and the organization attempts to lift up solutions to these problems.