Aaron Thompson

Aaron Thompson is President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, where he works to ensure all Kentuckians have equitable opportunities to improve their lives through postsecondary education. Previously, Aaron served as interim president of Kentucky State University, as the CPE executive vice president and provost, and as faculty member and administrator at Eastern Kentucky University.

He brings extensive leadership experience across the private and nonprofit sectors and is a highly sought-after national speaker. Aaron has authored and coauthored numerous books and peer-reviewed publications on diversity, cultural competence, first-year experience programs, retention and student success, to name a few.

Aaron has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including Baptist Healthcare, the Boys and Girls Club of Madison County, the Kentucky Humanities Council and Pattie A. Clay Hospital.

His work has garnered several awards and recognitions, including being named the most outstanding State Higher Education Executive Officer by SHEEO; the James Bryant Conant Leadership Award from the Education Commission of the States; the Outstanding Governance Leadership Award from Modern Healthcare; the Outstanding Leadership Award in Governance from the Kentucky Hospital Association; and the East Kentucky Leadership Award for Public Service. The Thompson Scholars Foundation, which serves low-income students and students of color from early childhood through college in Appalachia, was named after him.

A first-generation high school and college student, he holds both a master’s degree and doctorate in Sociology from the University of Kentucky, as well as a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from the Easter Kentucky University.