Dr. Cady Short-Thompson was officially installed as Northern Kentucky University’s first permanent female president on Friday, April 26 at a ceremony at Truist Arena in Highland Heights. Short-Thompson will serve as the university’s seventh president.
“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,” said Short-Thompson. “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.”
Short-Thompson was first selected for the role last fall, assuming the role from prior president Dr. Ashish Vaidya, who left the position in December 2022 amidst the university’s mounting budget deficit that at the time had ballooned up to about $24 million. The deficit has since been reduced.
Previously, Short-Thompson served as a faculty member of NKU, the Dean of the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College and the executive director of Breakthrough Cincinnati, an educational nonprofit.
Learn more about Short-Thompson’s life and background by reading her full bio at Northern Kentucky University’s website.
Check out some photos from the ceremony, provided by Byron Photography, below.
