From President Cady Short-Thompson:
"Dear NKU campus community,
With deep sadness, I share news of the passing of President Emeritus James C. Votruba Tuesday evening at home, surrounded by loved ones.
This message is personally painful as I write from what I still fondly think of as “Jim’s office;” without question, his legacy and impact are enduring on this special place and people. Like so many students, regents, faculty, staff, administrators and community members, my life and career have been shaped and positively impacted by his leadership and inimitable communication gifts. Jim led with energy, vision and an uncanny ability to positively connect with all of his constituents. As seemingly everyone’s mentor, Jim was generous in every way. Northern Kentucky University is tremendously fortunate that he decided to remain here for decades and build NKU with aplomb..."
Dr. Cady Short-Thompson currently serves as the seventh president of Northern Kentucky University. With a background in communication and 25 years of experience in higher education as an award-winning professor and academic leader, Dr. Short-Thompson began her tenure as president in October 2023.
Her presidency is a return home to NKU as Dr. Short-Thompson began her career at Northern Kentucky University in 1996 as a professor of communication and spent 14 years rising through the ranks as a graduate program director and department chair. In 2007, she was recognized with the Frank Sinton Milburn Outstanding Professor Award for her excellence in teaching, research and service. In her time teaching at NKU, she developed a love for scholarly teaching, a passion for student access and success, and a deep sense of student-centeredness.
Her presidential priorities have focused upon strategic enrollment management, strengthening finances, modernizing processes, engaging the region, and building institutional culture. She has led multiple efforts in planning—strategic enrollment management planning, housing improvement planning, Norse Network Hub planning, university strategic planning, and more.
Dr. Cady Short-Thompson established the Cady Short-Thompson Presidential Scholarship to EXCELerate NKU student success. This scholarship is poised to empower our students to thrive in their studies, hone their professional skills and prepare them for fulfilling careers that will make a lasting impact on their communities and our region.
Through our Success by Design strategic framework, NKU is committed to advancing student success aligned with the needs of the region through providing access to all individuals seeking a higher education, removing barriers to help students complete their higher education goals, and preparing students for productive careers and community engagement.
