"Dean, Lewis Honors College"

The University of Kentucky (UK) invites nominations, inquiries and applications in the search for the next T. W. Lewis Dean of the Lewis Honors College (LHC).

In October 2015, the University of Kentucky received the then-largest single gift in its history — $23.5 million — from alumnus, longtime donor and successful entrepreneur Thomas W. Lewis and his wife, Jan, to create LHC from the previously existing Honors Program. From its humble beginnings with 25 students in 1960, its first cohort, honors education at UK has historically sought to challenge and inspire future leaders, thinkers and innovators by incorporating close faculty collaboration. That commitment continues today.

For over eight years, LHC has educated, counseled and guided Honors students by providing an enhanced course of instruction for outstanding, highly motivated students from all programs of study. Honors education is, at its heart, a liberal arts education that, coupled with the resources available at a major research, land-grant university, provides a unique experience. Honors education at UK combines the opportunities of a campus performing robust research and experiential education with small honors classes and personalized guidance in career and self-development. Regardless of major, the fundamental goal of honors education is to provide all students with a broad, critical intellectual base from which they can engage more deeply and thoughtfully in their chosen fields.

Reporting to the provost, the dean will administer all aspects of the college's mission as it pursues its goal to provide a world-class honors experience that is known for the success of its students, the quality of its faculty and curriculum, the respect of its peers and its commitment to advancing UK communities at all levels. The college is advancing its mission through its current strategic plan, which aligns with and supports the university's strategic plan: UK-PURPOSE. The next dean will be expected to assess the college's strategic plan, ensuring continuity where existing strategies are effective while also pursuing thoughtful innovation to address emerging opportunities, including artificial intelligence and enhanced collaborative opportunities across multiple colleges.

The deanship requires a visionary and collaborative leader of people and programs with outstanding communication and interpersonal skills. The dean will be responsible for all aspects of the college's academic programs, operations, financial and faculty resources, fundraising efforts and student recruitment in partnership with the Office for Student Success. To be successful, the dean must possess the capacity to articulate and implement a shared vision in collaboration with faculty and peer deans, successful administrative experience and an aptitude for fundraising. This individual must be able to effectively engage a wide range of faculty from across the university and identify interdisciplinary opportunities that will enhance honors education. The successful candidate will possess a terminal degree in their field, as well as a distinguished record of teaching, research and service sufficient to qualify for appointment as a professor with tenure in a UK academic department.

UK is a leading land-grant and public research university located in Lexington, Kentucky. Its mission is to advance Kentucky through outstanding education, research, service and care. Counted among the highest levels of Carnegie Research institutions, the University of Kentucky is continuing its ascent as one of the nation's premier public research universities with expectations that LHC will continue to grow significantly in stature across all dimensions of the institution's mission.

A detailed leadership profile is available at wittkieffer.com.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile and a CV or resume. WittKieffer is assisting the University of Kentucky in this search. For full consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 16, 2026. Application materials, nominations and inquiries can be directed to Ryan Crawford and Jenna Brumleve at UK-LHCDean@wittkieffer.com. Candidates will also need to apply through the employment website at the University of Kentucky. The posting can be found by searching for requisition # FE04765, or via the quick link.