The University of Kentucky (UK) has named Kenneth R. Jones, Ph.D., as the new assistant provost for faculty professional development, starting March 1, 2024. This role was created to oversee faculty professional development and to develop strategies to improve faculty engagement and retention. Jones will be the primary link between colleges, programs, and the Office for Faculty Advancement, focusing on enhancing faculty development initiatives. He will also oversee most of the existing faculty professional development programs.
Jones is a professor in the Department of Community and Leadership Development at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. He has researched issues impacting youth-serving practitioners and community-based organizations. His research topics include youth-adult relationships in community settings, mentoring aspects, and community and higher education institution program development.
Jones has also conducted a national study on effective succession planning strategies for college administrators. He has experience in faculty professional development and advancement initiatives and currently serves as the director of the Engagement Academy at the UK Office of Land-grant Engagement.