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A Kentucky State University two-time alumna is an active member of the Frankfort community and plays an integral role at the Legislative Research Commission (LRC). 

Katie Carney earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Spanish in 2014 and a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in human resources in 2017 at Kentucky State. 

Carney serves as an executive assistant for the director's office at LRC, specifically working for the deputy director for committee and staff coordination. She recently celebrated her 20th anniversary at LRC. 

“Since starting with LRC, I have been involved with the fiscal impact statement process,” Carey said. “I am now coordinator of this process. I review proposed legislation that may have a potential impact on public retirement systems, private health insurance, state and local corrections and local governments.”

Carney’s duties at LRC are diverse from receiving bill draft requests for legislators; to compiling two publications; overseeing blood drive donations and being a general point of contact for legislators, staff and the general public for navigating the legislative process, among many, many other responsibilities. 

While Kentucky State is a thread that runs through Carney’s professional life, it can also be found in the seams of her personal life. 

Carney’s husband, Julian Bond, was recruited to play football at Kentucky State in 1988 from Owensboro High School. 

“He moved to Frankfort and began his studies at KSU,” Carney said. “Unfortunately he injured himself and was unable to play football anymore, but over the years, he kept up with most of his studies with the Whitney Young College and focusing on a general liberal arts degree in philosophy.”

The couple met at her mother’s downtown restaurant, where Bond worked. 

Bond was a presence around Frankfort, Carney said. 

He worked for the Kentucky YMCA as a regional director helping coordinate youth conferences (KYA, KUNA, Go For It, and LTC). Bond was also a server at Applebee's, O'Charley's and Chili's in Frankfort. One of his last things he did professionally was with the Council on Postsecondary Education with the Gear Up Kentucky grant project, Carney said. 

“In 2017, he worked directly with KSU and the senior class of that Gear Up cycle and was instrumental in helping the program close out that grant and proceed to the one they are currently in,” Carney said. “He also was a board member of the Franklin County Women and Families Shelter and what is now known as Serve Kentucky (Kentucky's Americorps program and formerly known as the Kentucky Commission on Community and Volunteerism Services).” 

From their union, a baby girl was born: Emerson Bond. Now 8, Carney said her daughter is very aware that her parents are Kentucky State alumni. 

Unfortunately, in 2017, the family’s lives were forever changed. 

“Julian graduated with me in May 2014 and started the MPA program with me that fall,” Carney said. “Sadly, he died from pneumonia on December 13, 2017, days shy of my MPA graduation. Dr. (Gashaw) Lake petitioned the Board of Regents to award Julian with his MPA degree posthumously in May 2018. So I accepted his degree and mine during that ceremony.” 

Also in May 2017, Bond received the Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously during the 23rd Annual Kentucky Governor's Service Awards. Bond was widely known and his short life was honored. 

While Carney’s experience at Kentucky State holds special memories (of study abroad opportunities to Costa Rica and Colombia); important lessons learned (be responsible, attentive and engaged in your courses); and hard-won advice (go outside your comfort zone, speak up and stand out), hers is a story that resonates because of the triumph and tragedy of life.