J. Kirsten Turner serves as the University of Kentucky’s Vice President for Student Success. In her role, she is responsible for offices such as Dean of Students, Student Well-being, Academic Advising, Residence Life, Admissions and Financial Aid, among other units. Her role includes leading the institution’s retention and graduation efforts. 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. Her research interests deal with the public benefits of higher education as well as the current state of the American professoriate.