Faculty Leadership Academy

Ryan Baggett

Dean of Online Learning, Graduate Education, and Research
Eastern Kentucky University

Dr. Ryan Baggett is the Dean of Online Learning, Graduate Education, and Research and Professor of Homeland Security at Eastern Kentucky University. His leadership portfolio includes EKU Online, the EKU Graduate School, and EKU Sponsored Programs. Prior to his appointment as Dean in 2020, Dr. Baggett served as a faculty member and Coordinator in EKU’s Homeland Security program teaching courses on infrastructure protection and resilience, cyber and physical security, and risk assessment. From 2000 to 2010, he provided oversight of U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Homeland Security funded programs at EKU. Dr. Baggett holds a Doctorate in Leadership and Policy Studies and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice (with a concentration in Police Administration) from EKU and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Murray State University.

Ken Jones

Assistant Provost for Faculty Development
University of Kentucky

Dr. Kenneth Jones joined the faculty of the University of Kentucky in the Department of Community and Leadership Development in January 2005. His research interests include assessing youth-adult relationships within community contexts, positive youth development, mentoring and program development within community settings.

He currently serves as Director of Extension Faculty Development and Engaged Scholarship for the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, as well as Assistant Provost in the University of Kentucky Office for Faculty Advancement. He holds a Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from North Carolina A&T State University.

Abdou Ndoye

Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs/ Acting Dean of Honors College
Northern Kentucky University

Dr. Abdou Ndoye is currently the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Acting Dean of the Honors College at Northern Kentucky University. He holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. His research interests include effective teaching and learning, assessment, student success and quality assurance.

Jason Vest

Associate Provost for Academic and Student Affairs
Northern Kentucky University

Jason Vest is associate provost for academic and student affairs and a voice professor at Northern Kentucky University. He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at the University of Kentucky after earning a Bachelor of Music from Butler University and a Master of Music from Brigham Young University. Jason earned his MBA in 2020 and subsequently participated in Harvard’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education in 2022. He has led impactful year-long mentoring and leadership programs for faculty and staff at NKU and in the past year has become a strong advocate for student development. In addition to academic leadership, Jason is a Grammy-nominated tenor who has appeared with opera companies, orchestras, and choral organizations domestically and internationally.

Jennifer Wies

Associate Provost and Professor of Anthropology
Eastern Kentucky University

Jennifer R. Wies holds an MA and PhD in Anthropology from the University of Kentucky. Jennifer has experience serving as a faculty member, associate provost, academic chairperson, director of assessment, academic program coordinator, and student affairs director. Her research addresses critical social issues, working with domestic violence shelters, HIV/AIDS support agencies, food insecurity programs, and opioid treatment initiatives. A leader in the field, Jennifer has served as President of the Association of Feminist Anthropology and is currently the president of the Society for Applied Anthropology. Throughout these experiences, she brings a leadership practice focused on using evidence to develop sustainable solutions, inspired by cross-cultural examples that illustrate the power of community and coalition methodologies.

Gill Hunter

Presidential Fellow for Experience and Engagement
Eastern Kentucky University

Dr. Gill Hunter is the Presidential Fellow for Experience and Engagement at Eastern Kentucky University. He holds a PhD in English from Purdue University, MA in English from Eastern Kentucky University, and BA in Secondary English Education from the University of Kentucky. He previously served EKU as Executive Director for Retention and Graduation (2017-2020), Assistant Vice President for Retention and Graduation (2020-2022 and 2023-2024), and interim Dean of the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences (2022-2023). Dr. Hunter is also Associate Professor of English, teaching courses and working with students in EKU’s English Teaching program, and serving on dissertation committees for students researching student success.