The CST Circle will bring together alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends of Northern Kentucky University in a shared spirit of generosity and purpose. Our primary goals are to sustain the university president’s highest priorities and to grow the involvement and philanthropic impact of the NKU community. Alongside the leadership of Dr. Cady Short-Thompson, this group will lead us into the future as powerful, informed and engaged advocates, not only through tangible philanthropy, but by paving the way, setting the example and shaping meaningful outcomes.
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.
Northern Kentucky University is debuting an innovative program to enhance community leadership development in partnership with OneNKY Alliance and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Beginning in January of 2026, the LaunchNKY Center for Civic Leadership will educate, connect and empower civic leaders in the region, expanding a leadership development pipeline that feeds directly into the Northern Kentucky community.
“NKU is committed to educating and empowering our community members to lead with purpose,” says NKU President Cady Short-Thompson. “LaunchNKY is a unique opportunity to invest in this generation’s civic leaders who will shape the future of Northern Kentucky. By combining the expertise of our faculty and the vision of our community partners, the Center creates a streamlined pathway for engaged leaders to learn and connect with the ideal leadership opportunities to strengthen our region for years to come.
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.
