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Contact Info

• Phone: 502-892-3079 
• Email: aaron.thompson@ky.gov
• LinkedIn: Aaron Thompson
• Twitter: cpepres

 

Council President

Aaron Thompson

Dr. Aaron Thompson is a passionate advocate for higher education. As a first-generation college student from rural Clay County, Kentucky, he experienced first-hand the transformative power of a college credential. As President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, he works to ensure all Kentuckians have an equal opportunity to improve their lives through postsecondary education.

Before taking the helm of CPE, Thompson served as interim president of Kentucky State University; CPE executive vice president and provost; and faculty member and administrator at Eastern Kentucky University. He has extensive leadership experience within the private and non-profit sectors and is a highly sought-after national speaker. Dr. Thompson has authored or co-authored numerous books and peer-reviewed publications on diversity, cultural competence, first-year experience programs, retention, and student success, among other topics. In 2019, he was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame.

Thompson received his doctoral degree in sociology from the University of Kentucky, with an emphasis on organizational leadership. He earned a master’s degree in industrial sociology from the University of Kentucky, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Eastern Kentucky University.

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Works

Featured Media Interviews

• Interview with Higher Learning Advocates (May 27, 2020)
• Interview with Renee Shaw (Oct. 1, 2021)
• Interview with the Commonwealth Policy Center (Oct. 18, 2021)
• Interview with Bill Bryant (Nov. 14, 2021)

Featured Publications

• Books

Featured Newsletter Articles

• President’s Message: We must increase dual credit access for underrepresented student populations (May 4, 2023)
• President's Message: College affordability is key to Kentucky’s economic future (April 11, 2023)
• President’s Message: Mental health key to student success (March 9, 2023)
• President’s Message: Workforce shortages, nontraditional learners, P-16 partnerships take center stage in 2023 (February 9, 2023)

View the complete President's Message archive.

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