Northern Kentucky University has a new president. On Thursday, the university named Dr. Ashish Vaidya as the sixth president of NKU. He assumes the position on July 1, 2018.
Vaidya is currently serving as interim president of St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Prior to that, he served as St. Cloud’s provost and vice president for academic affairs and before that various roles at universities in California.
Vaidya succeeds Gerard St. Amand who served as interim president following the departure of Geoffrey Mearns earlier this year (who left to head Ball State University).
He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, India, and a master’s and doctorate from University of California Davis.
He joins NKU as 2018 marks 50 years since the school’s founding.
Murray State President Dr. Bob Davies on Dr. Vaidya:
I congratulate Dr. Vaidya on being named the 6th president at Northern Kentucky University. It appears that he is a very dynamic leader and will make a wonderful addition to the Commonwealth's leadership. I look forward to working with him as we advance higher education offerings to best serve Kentucky’s students - Bob Davies
This story has been updated.
