Guest Bio

Dr. Kirsten Turner serves as the Vice President for Student Success, a role that positions her as the institution’s chief student affairs officer and a leading advocate for student development. A leader with a long tenure at the University of Kentucky, she transitioned to her current role after serving in multiple associate provost roles and as one of the institution’s leading architects of strategies to improve retention and graduation rates. Prior to joining the provost’s office, Turner began her career at UK as an assistant dean and chief of staff in the College of Arts and Sciences.  

As a member of President Capilouto’s leadership team, Turner is committed to a student-first philosophy. Her portfolio includes areas that span the full range of student experience: from recruitment to graduation and beyond.  

Turner earned her Ph.D. at the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education in the Center for the Study of Higher Education. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Kentucky and a bachelor’s degree from Hanover College.