2021 News Archive

NKU Board of Regents Chair Andrá Ward selected to AGB Council for Student Success

Northern Kentucky University Board of Regents Chair Andrá R. Ward has been selected to serve on the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges’ (AGB) Council for Student Success.

NKU celebrates Fall 2021 Commencement

Northern Kentucky University honored more than 1,700 graduates with family and friends looking on at the 49th Annual Commencement exercises Saturday at BB&T Arena.

NKU CHHS makes tornado relief donation to WKU CHHS

The Northern Kentucky University Dean of the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS), Dr. Dale Stephenson, has approved a college donation to the Western Kentucky University College of Health and Human Services to help WKU students affected by the tornado outbreak in early December. Dean Stephenson and the WKU CHHS Dean are colleagues and he reached out to her after the tornados asking how NKU could help [...]

NKU Launches 'Support Your Passion' Campaign on #GivingTuesday

On #GivingTuesday, which occurs the Tuesday following Thanksgiving Day, Northern Kentucky University is launching its “Support Your Passion” campaign, encouraging alumni and community members to find and give to a cause on campus that has personal significance.

FUEL NKU Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for NKU Community

Northern Kentucky University’s on-campus food pantry, FUEL NKU, will host its fourth annual Friendsgiving Celebration, inviting NKU students, faculty and staff for a community Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 22, 2021 in the James C. and Rachel M. Votruba Student Union.

Ahead of college football’s Rivalry Week from Nov. 22-27, Northern Kentucky University’s Know Rivalry Project shares its work on the sport’s most intense and unbalanced rivalries.

NKU Ranks Among Best in Kentucky for Return on Educational Investment

Northern Kentucky University ranks as the second-best value school among Kentucky universities and colleges, according to the latest study by SmartAsset.

NKU launches Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program

Northern Kentucky University is launching a new entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in its College of Health and Human Services, beginning in January 2022. Dr. Terrance Anderson will serve as the first program director.

NKU Partners with Electrada for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations on Campus

Northern Kentucky University has partnered with Electrada, a Cincinnati-based EV charging solution company, to install electric vehicle charging stations across campus and meet a growing need for more charging capacity.

Dr. Suk-hee Kim National Honored with a Distinguished Recent Contributions to Social Work Education Award

Northern Kentucky University’s Dr. Suk-hee Kim was honored by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) with its Distinguished Recent Contributions to Social Work Education Award as one of the significant recognitions at the national level.

More NKU Students Voted in 2020 Election Compared to 2016

Northern Kentucky University students voted in record numbers for the 2020 presidential election, according to a new report by the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education (IDHE). Student voting on campus increased in the 2020 election, rising to 67.5% from a rate of 61.1% in 2016.

NKU Receives Grant to Help Expand Telehealth Medicine in Rural Communities

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is awarding a grant to Northern Kentucky University aimed at expanding telehealth and telemedicine resources in rural communities in the Northern Kentucky region.

Two teams of Northern Kentucky University students will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges after being selected as finalists in the Launch It: Cincy Pitch Competition.

CINSAM High School Resource Boxes Now Available

Northern Kentucky University's Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics (CINSAM) along with the Institute for Health Innovation, is distributing free resource boxes for high school educators to use in their classrooms. Lessons are available in cybersecurity, mathematics, neuroscience and engineering.

NKU Once Again Rated as One of the Best for Veterans

Northern Kentucky University is once again rated as one of the best universities for veterans, according to the 2021 Best for Vets: Colleges 2021 ratings.

NKU Alum, Vietnam War Veteran to Commemorate Veterans Day with Poetry Reading

Northern Kentucky University is excited to welcome back NKU alumnus and Vietnam War veteran Bob Barth (’73) for a reading of his literary poems as part of the Veterans Day events on campus on Nov. 11.

NKU Economics Student Wins 'Best Undergraduate Paper' Award

NKU's Brooklyn Stephens, an economics major and Center for Economic Education Student Fellow, was presented with the Best Undergraduate Paper at the 2021 Kentucky Economic Association Undergraduate Research Conference on Friday, Oct. 22.

Northern Kentucky University is facilitating the emergency certification of diverse educators through the use of a $100,000 grant, awarded by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. NKU will also spend $100,000 of its own.

NKU’s Age Friendly University Initiative Pioneers to Present Survey Findings and Coalition Building

Pioneers of Northern Kentucky’s Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative will present their findings after participating in a national study, Taking the Pulse of Age-Friendliness in Higher Education in the U.S. Today.

Spotlight on Scholarship Returns to Highlight Faculty Research

Northern Kentucky University is continuing its “Spotlight on Scholarship” symposium which will celebrate faculty research, scholarship and creative activity. Spotlight on Scholarship, which began in 2018, was suspended briefly in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NKU Awarded A1 Stable Ranking By Moody’s

Northern Kentucky University has retained its A1 credit rating in the latest report by Moody's Investors Service, confirming NKU’s stable financial future.

Northern Kentucky University is hosting a virtual conference to help regional educators explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) resources, technology and cutting-edge techniques on Nov. 9.

NKU Empowers High School Girls at Young Women Lead Conference

Northern Kentucky University’s Institute for Talent Development and Gifted Studies invites high school girls to Put on Their Brave and lead with confidence at the 11th Annual Young Women Lead (YWL) Live! from Oct. 21 - 22.

NKU Hosts 14th Annual Cybersecurity Symposium

NKU will host its 14th annual Cybersecurity Symposium featuring cybersecurity leaders from across the nation. The symposium, sponsored by the Chase College of Law and the College of Informatics, focuses on cybersecurity challenges, legal issues, privacy, risk, best industry practices and networking.

NKU Retains Five-Star Rating for LBGTQ Campus Climate

Northern Kentucky University has again been ranked as one of the best campuses for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students, according to Campus Pride, a national benchmarking tool for colleges and universities.

NKU’s Board of Regents Renew President Ashish Vaidya’s Contract

Northern Kentucky University announces the renewal of President Ashish Vaidya’s contract, extending his leadership through 2027. The Board of Regents unanimously approved the new contract at a special meeting on Oct. 7, extending his service from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2026. With a one year extension included in the proposed contract, the Board secured President Vaidya’s leadership through June 30, 2027.

NKU to Award College Credit to alumni of the Governor’s School For Entrepreneurs

The Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs (GSE) has achieved another milestone in 2021. Through a partnership with its host school Northern Kentucky University (NKU), GSE alumni who enroll at NKU and present a GSE certificate of completion will receive three hours of college credit for the NKU equivalent course.

NKU Selected for Two National Initiatives to Improve Civic Engagement, Financial Literacy

NKU is participating in two initiatives by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) that will improve economic literacy in students and help build strong campus-community partnerships. Both year-long initiatives involve hundreds of colleges and universities sharing resources across the nation.

Two NKU Students Featured in Cincy Inno’s ‘Five Under 25’

Two Northern Kentucky University students are featured in Cincy Inno’s "Five Under 25" list, which highlight five Cincinnati-area entrepreneurs under the age of 25 worth watching.

NKU’s Field Station Hosts Annual Nature Adventure Day

Northern Kentucky University’s Research and Education Field Station (REFS) invites the community to its annual Nature Adventure Day on Sept. 25, 1 – 5 p.m.

NKU Joins National Higher Ed Association’s Institute on Open Educational Resources

Northern Kentucky University has been selected to participate in the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Institute on Open Educational Resources. NKU is the only university in the Commonwealth joining the year-long program designed to help institutions adopt accessible and affordable instructional materials.

NKU Hosts Secretary Michael Adams for Constitution Day

NKU is hosting Kentucky Secretary of State Michael G. Adams on Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. in Griffin Hall’s Digitorium.

NKU Announces Plans For Small Business Development Center

NKU has announced future changes for its Small Business Development Center (SBDC) operations. Effective Oct. 1, the university will transition its SBDC operations to the Kentucky Small Business Development (KSBDC) network, hosted by the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

NKU Hosts Northern Kentucky Regional College Fair

NKU, in partnership with Thomas More University, will host the Northern Kentucky Regional College Fair on Oct. 14 for local high school students and their families.

NKU Awarded $1 Million Federal Grant To Combat Opioid Epidemic

NKU received $1 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a part of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program. This initiative was established to reduce the morbidity and mortality of substance misuse by enhancing rural residents’ access to prevention, treatment, and recovery support.

NKU Awarded Over $200k In Federal Grants To Promote Economic Development, Halt Recidivism

NKU has been awarded $208,999 in two separate grants to develop of Northern Kentucky’s economic region and assist with the health and livelihood of its residents.

Local Institutions Join “Moon Shot For Equity” To Close Equity Gaps

Northern Kentucky University, Gateway Community and Technical College, Miami University, and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College announced today that they have joined “Moon Shot for Equity,” a national initiative that aims to close equity gaps within regional cohorts of two- and four-year colleges and universities by 2030.

Economics Professor Earns Distinguished Accolades

NKU’s Dr. Abdullah Al-Bahrani receives the 2021 Rising Star Award from National Association of Economic Educators (NAEE). Dr. Al-Bahrani becomes first faculty member at NKU to be nationally awarded for meeting the challenges of providing economic education service early on and his commitment to improving programs and services available.

Northern Kentucky University has signed a partnership with Nahda University in Beni-Suef (NUB) in Egypt.

NKU Announces Four New Members to the Board of Regents

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear appoints Elizabeth Lee Thompson, of Lexington, and Kara Williams, of Florence, to Northern Kentucky University's Board of Regents. NKU additionally welcomes Aliya Cannon as Student Regent and Cori Henderson as Staff Regent this summer.

NKU Panel on Misinformation Recognized by Society of Professional Journalists

"The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes Northern Kentucky University’s panel on misinformation and fake news as the regional campus program of the year. The program, co-sponsored by NKU’s SPJ chapter, was honored as part of Region 5, which includes Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois."

NKU Named Commonwealth’s Top College with Best Outcomes

According to a new report by 24/7 Wall St., NKU ranks as the most affordable college with the best outcomes in the Commonwealth.

NKU Updates Business School Name to Haile College of Business

As the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation Simplifies its Name, NKU Rebrands.

Fall Convocation Held on Aug. 16

Fall Convocation marks the first campus-wide in-person gathering since February 2020.

Students Head Back to Campus for the New Academic Year

NKU celebrates a return to a vibrant campus and a normal back to school experience for the first time since 2019. The new school year kicks off with Freshman Move-In Day on Aug. 19 and the first day of classes on Aug. 23.

Open Registration for 2021 Fall Semester

Students will have the opportunity to meet with admissions professionals, address any questions and complete financial aid documents. Students can also learn about the many different career pathways NKU offers and register for classes.

NKU President Dr. Ashish Vaidya appointed chair of Horizon League Board of Directors

The Horizon League announced this week updates to its leadership on the Board of Directors and Council as Northern Kentucky President Dr. Ashish Vaidya has been appointed Board Chair.

NKU Entrepreneurship Program Ranks in Top 10 Most Affordable

Northern Kentucky University offers one of the nation’s most affordable entrepreneurship degrees, according to a new ranking from University Headquarters.

Innovation: Animation Across Colleges

By leveraging the expertise across NKU, the university has built an engaging Animation curriculum that will prepare students for exciting careers where they can bring new worlds and characters to life through animation.

Two Students Honored Among the World’s Best in Toxicology

Katelyn Clough and Emma Foster received prominent recognitions for their findings in Dr. Chris Curran's research lab, where they investigate how an environmental toxicant affects brain development in mice.

FUEL NKU Gets Lift from Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky

“This gift provides relief to students in need and brings them one step closer to earning a college degree and becoming contributing members of our campus community.”

Rico Grant Receives Reds Community Advocate Award

The award, presented by TriHeath, celebrates and recognizes business representatives, community leaders and civil servants in the region who advocate connection and inclusion.

NKU Forgives Student Debt Accumulated During the Pandemic Among $3M Equity Initiatives

President Vaidya eliminates $600,000 in student debt, provides $250 bookstore vouchers to all undergraduates and enhances mental health services.

SOTA's Virtual Dance Concert Features New Works by Guest Artists

Eleven dynamic dances add up to an evening of concert pieces that highlight various genres. Stream the production now, for free!

NKU Teaching Kentucky Educators About Personal Finance

40 educators who apply by June 25 can receive scholarships and attend the program for free.

NKU Named Among Kentucky’s Best Nursing Schools

NKU ranks second on the best universities for transitioning registered nurses (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees.

Haile/US Bank College of Business Secures Top Distinction

A distinction earned by fewer than 5 percent of schools worldwide, AACSB International’s accreditation is known as the hallmark of excellence in business education.

NKU, Cincinnati State Sign New Agreement to Strengthen Pathways

The program offers dual admission to both institutions, which creates a seamless transition for students to earn their bachelor’s degree at NKU once they receive an associate degree from Cincinnati State—saving the student up to $15,000.

Jenny Sand Named Director of Economic Engagement

Sand is an accomplished senior executive with a track record of leading strategic and advocacy initiatives throughout the region’s public and corporate sectors.

Gov. Beshear Announces $1 Million Investment to Open ‘Opportunity House’ for Young Adults in Northern Kentucky

“Our responsibility is to innovate and find new ways to meet diverse learners where they are and to support their needs."

Commencement Spring Activities

NKU celebrates one of the greatest joys each year with its Commencement exercises from May 7 through 9 at BB&T Arena.

Chase College of Law Bestows 114 Degrees to Graduates

Chase Law awarded 104 Juris Doctor degrees and ten Master of Legal Studies to graduates during its Commencement ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony Honors Class of 2021

NKU celebrated one of the greatest joys each year by graduating nearly 2,000 students at its Spring Commencement exercises May 8 and 9 at BB&T Arena.

Class of 2020 Honored at Spring Commencement

After virtual celebrations last May and December, NKU welcomed 2020 graduates for their own Commencement ceremony on May 9.

The university will bring its ‘All Roads Lead to NKU’ event to the Boys & Girls Club’s Price Hill and Kenton County locations this summer.

Federal Grant Awarded to Harness the Region’s Entrepreneurial Spirit

The federal funding advances the Collaborative’s goal of building the regional economy and competitiveness through scalable startups and overall entrepreneurial capacity.

NKU Joins Esports Collegiate Conference

“We look forward to beginning a new era of competition and an opportunity to expand Esports offerings across the NKU campus.”

Bonita Brown Chosen as National Designer in Residence to Reimagine the Role of Higher Education in Closing Racial and Economic Opportunity Gaps

To help address these disparities, Brown and the Cohort will be building new initiatives to promote student success opportunities for learners at NKU and across the country.

New Pathway Offers College Credit for Criminal Justice Training

“Law enforcement and criminal justice officials embody a spirit of service and selflessness, and we value their dedication to ensuring the safety of our society”

NKU Research Measures the Top Rivalries in Baseball

As part of a creative research project led by Dr. Joe Cobbs, more than 20 students measured the most intense and lopsided rivalries in Major League Baseball.

Taste of Informatics to Aid Those Exploring Career Changes

The College of Informatics is launching a set of initiatives to meet the needs of people seeking upskilling in the technology and communication fields.

A Statement from NKU President, Dr. Ashis Vaidya

April 3, 2021 — “NKU will not tolerate the white supremacy graffiti defacing our campus today or any day. This latest act of vandalism is contrary [...]

Watch the Rock

Watch the Rock is a live-stream webcam to monitor activity around the Housing rock, 24 hours per day.

Summer programs offer a blend of virtual and on campus offerings this year, so that any student can learn about STEM in the format they are most comfortable.

This program allows learners to work on their GED and NKU courses at the same time and can finish both their GED and 4-year degree in as little as three years.

Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs increases program participation with additional second summer session in 2021

GSE announces the addition of a second summer session for 2021 to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for the experience on NKU's campus

SoCap Selects 2021 Spring Cohort

The six startups will spend the next two months connecting with regional leaders in health care and the entrepreneurial ecosystem—learning how to develop customers and build sustainable products—with a goal to make Kentucky a healthier Commonwealth.

Chase Law’s program addresses the legal challenges introduced at the intersection of technology, digital commerce and law. The online track will be one of the few programs of its type at an American Bar Association-approved school.

The Haile/US Bank College of Business’ Human Resources program has recently been ranked as the 10th best bachelor’s degree in the nation. The College also provides the top internships in the nation for students pursuing a Construction Management degree, according to Intelligent.com.

Vaccine Idea Challenge to Support Underserved Communities

The Vaccine Idea Challenge calls for creative strategies to get accurate and timely COVID-19 vaccination information to medically underserved communities.

Women's track & field athlete Kayla Thompson is this year's recipient of the Horizon League's Bobby Fong Award.

MCRC’s new films, “Why White” and “I am White Like You, Right Mom?” tell the stories of how the Black and White Racial Categories came to be.

NKU President Ashish Vaidya’s Reaction to the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial.

Experiential Learning Week to showcase students’ hands-on learning experiences with study abroad, internships, research and service learning.

NKU Leaders Selected for Leadership Program through National Education Association

Each year AASCU recognizes 35 campus leaders who are championing student success and inclusive excellence at their institution. Dr. Gannon Tagher and Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Mansoh have been named to this year's cohort.

Master of Public Administration Program Enhanced

NKU's MPA degree is the only program in the region that's accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), which is the international benchmark for public service education.

Student Entrepreneur Named a Finalist in Premier Startup Competition

Isaiah Kelly earned a bid to the Rice Business Plan Competition, where 54 student-led startups compete for $1.5 million in funding and resources.

NKU Celebrates Founders’ Day on March 10

The Founders’ Day celebration will recognize NKU’s remarkable growth and culture of giving throughout the years.

Founders’ Day Celebration Raises Over $300,000

Over 600 alumni, faculty, staff and parents gifted $316,296 to their favorite departments, scholarship funds, Norse teams and student support initiatives.

NKU is going…”back to the future” in the Fall

President Ashish Vaidya addresses the return to campus for Fall 2021.

Nursing Program Receives National Honors

NKU's Nursing degree is named one of The Princeton Review's best online nursing programs. The latest ranking comes on the heels of Dr. Gannon Tagher receiving national honors for co-authoring two of the best scholarly works this past year.

SOTA Debuts Contemporary Ceramics Exhibitions

“Rivers Connect: Unstoppable Forces in Contemporary Ceramics" exhibition are on display through April 2.

Dr. Valerie Hardcastle Named Local Health Care Hero Finalist

An advocate for improving population health, Dr. Hardcastle is recognized for her community work and commitment to improving the quality of health care throughout the region.

Chase College of Law Hosts Symposium on Decriminalizing Drugs

The symposium brings scholars from around the country to examine the future of drug policy in America and if decriminalization is a solution for addiction and policing reform.

College of Informatics Launches DX21, A Digital Transformation Series

The symposium explores six cutting-edge topics that are both daunting challenges and transformative opportunities for businesses, such as—cloud computing, artificial intelligence, business culture, Internet of Things, blockchain and cybersecurity.

Spring Commencement Update

President Vaidya announces Spring graduation ceremonies will move indoors to BB&T Arena, which will allow us to accommodate limited guest tickets for each ceremony.

NKU Ready to Play in its New Esports Venue: “The Sandbox”

The Sandbox will be open to students involved in the varsity Esports program, as well as students in the NKU Esports Club who can use the space to practice and compete or hone their shoutcasting and production skills.

Social Work Professor Earns Prominent Recognition

Dr. Suk-hee Kim continues to be honored for her work with the aspects of aging, the implications of aging on individual development and the perception and treatment of older adults.