Stephanie Prichard Named WKU Regional Campuses Director
Western Kentucky University selected a veteran internal staff member to lead its regional campus operations.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in People
Western Kentucky University has officially appointed Stephanie Prichard as the director of regional campuses. Prichard stepped into the permanent role after serving as the interim director since July 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment provides leadership stability for the university as it manages academic operations across five distinct regional sites in Kentucky. Prichard brings over a decade of institutional knowledge to this administrative position.
The new director will oversee five regional campuses located in Glasgow, Elizabethtown, Fort Knox, Owensboro, and Somerset. Prichard has worked within the regional campus system for a total of 11 years.
The players
Stephanie Prichard
She is the newly appointed director of regional campuses at Western Kentucky University.
Janet Tassell
She chaired the search committee responsible for selecting the new director of regional campuses.
The details
Prichard secured the role following a competitive search process led by committee chair Janet Tassell. She previously held roles as the assistant director, as well as campus outreach coordinator and academic adviser at the Glasgow campus.
Timeline
2025: Prichard began her tenure as assistant director.
July 13, 2026: Prichard commenced her role as interim director.
October 14, 2026: The university officially announced the permanent appointment.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition aligns with a broader industry trajectory where regional higher education institutions prioritize internal expertise to maintain competitive stability. By promoting from within, the university reinforces its commitment to its specific regional footprint against competing satellite campus networks.
Students and faculty at the five regional campuses can expect continuity in leadership as the new director brings over a decade of internal experience to the role. This stability helps maintain consistent access to academic advising and outreach services for the local student population.
The takeaway
Selecting long-term internal staff for high-level regional roles often serves as a strategy to preserve institutional culture during administrative transitions. Readers navigating professional changes can look to this as an example of how internal advancement paths align with organizational longevity.
Further reading
For more on administrative changes in the state, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Glasgow News 1.
