Northern Kentucky University installed first female president

April 27, 2024 - Northern Kentucky University proudly installed its first permanent female president, Dr. Cady Short-Thompson, on Friday, April 26.

Dr. Short-Thompson is the seventh president in NKU’s history and was welcomed into office during the investiture ceremony in Truist Arena at the Highland Heights campus. Dr. Short-Thompson shared her vision for the future of NKU, a place she calls home.

“I am ecstatic to return home to NKU, where my professional journey began, and to give back to the people and place that invested so fully in me,” says the new President. “NKU’s values of excellence, engagement, student-centeredness, and belonging are deep in me and I am eager to serve alongside NKU’s talented faculty, staff, students and alumni to lead this great institution forward. I love NKU and believe that it is entirely fitting that my first and final positions will behere.”

The investiture ceremony was a momentous occasion, symbolizing not only the official beginning of Dr. Short-Thompson’s tenure as president but also NKU’s continued commitment to excellence in education for our students, faculty and staff.

“After a few months getting to know the job, the ceremony was the opportunity to let others see

the university through her unique lens,” said Rich Boehne, Chair of the Boards of Regents. “The university’s community is immense, diverse and rapidly evolving, but the president sets the tone and establishes the pace. Her voice is the first that’s heard on matters of mission and strategy and the last voice that’s heard when results are measured and progress is assessed. The investiture ceremony marks the official time the president accepts the weight of the role and begins to write the next chapter of the NKU adventure story.”

Northern Kentucky University extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Short-Thompson and looks forward to a bright and prosperous future under her guidance.