24 to watch in 2024: Kentucky State University president has crucial year ahead
The Lexington Herald-Leader is profiling 24 individuals this month that you should be keeping an eye on in 2024. The selected group represents a cross-section of industries, political parties, missions and the state itself. We believe each is notable for their contributions to Kentucky, as well as their plans for the next 12 months.
Who: Koffi Akakpo, president of Kentucky State University since July 1, 2023.
Background: Before coming to KSU, Akakpo was the president of Bluegrass Community and Technical College for four years. He previously held positions at North Central State College and Central State University, a historically Black university in Ohio. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Toledo and a Master of Business Administration from Ashland University, Ohio.
Why 2024 will be notable: This year will be critical for the future of Kentucky State University. KSU has faced budget challenges and staffing shortages in recent years, which resulted in the state giving $23 million to the university. A special examination by the state auditor of the university’s finances in 2023 revealed widespread overspending and a lack of financial control.
The school is under state oversight through 2025, and will need to take the necessary steps this year to address its management improvement plan, which the state legislature required as part of the $23 million given to KSU in 2022.
KSU is the state’s only public historically Black college. It will be important to watch how Akakpo leads the university, and the decisions he makes in his first two years as president will impact the future of KSU.
Why do you think he will be successful in 2024? “Dr. Akakpo is the right person at the right time to lead Kentucky State University. The university has already seen results under his leadership and we’re confident progress will continue,” Aaron Thompson, president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, said. “As he showed at Bluegrass Community and Technical College and is now showing at KSU, he focuses on good strategy, innovation, transparency and collaboration. These qualities will lead KSU into the next chapter.”
Why is 2024 such an important year for you or your organization? “By embedding KSU pride, history and tradition into 21st century knowledge and skills, KSU will prepare students to serve Kentucky in their modern workplaces and communities, making 2024 a defining year for our institution,” Akakpo said. “Moving forward with resilience, we will continue to resolve past fiscal stress and challenges through an effective and accountable budget, internal controls, transformative academics, accreditation compliance and increased student enrollment. KSU leadership and I are committed to defined outcomes, risk taking and confidently learning from our experiences to design the exciting, radical and inspiring future of KSU.”
