Exciting Times Ahead in Frankfort, Kentucky!
Frankfort, a vibrant city at the heart of Kentucky, is buzzing with excitement as Kentucky State University gears up for a significant milestone. This Friday, the university will officially welcome its new president, Dr. Koffi Akakpo, marking an important moment in the school’s history. As the 19th president of KSU, Akakpo brings a wealth of experience and a fresh vision to the institution which has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years.
Getting to Know Dr. Koffi Akakpo
Dr. Akakpo has been part of the KSU community since the summer of 2023, and though he has been working behind the scenes, this inauguration will officially make his leadership formal. Originally from Togo, a country in West Africa, he previously served in various leadership roles within the Ohio state government and education system, including positions at North Central State College and Bluegrass Community and Technical College.
Priorities for the Future
Speaking passionately about his vision for Kentucky State University, Dr. Akakpo emphasizes the importance of student retention and increasing enrollment—both on campus and online. Currently, the university has around 2,300 students, and he believes that sharing KSU’s story as a historically black college is crucial. “We have come a long way,” he stated, reflecting on the progress made since he arrived. He acknowledged the challenges he found when he took up the role, saying, “We needed to balance the budget, enrollment was so low, and some of our dorms and buildings were in very bad shape.”
Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
The journey hasn’t been an easy one. Kentucky State University hadn’t had a permanent leader since July 2021, following the resignation of M. Christopher Brown II amid rising concerns over the school’s financial condition. A series of audits revealed serious issues, described as a chaotic accounting environment that put millions of dollars in federal grants at risk. The previous administration’s struggles also included undocumented credit card transactions and extravagant bonuses, leading to a significant loss of financial accountability.
However, positive changes are underway! In 2022, state lawmakers stepped up by passing a bill that allocated $23 million to help address the university’s budget shortfall. This financial boost was accompanied by measures to create a management improvement plan, which is essential for fostering greater financial stability and accountability moving forward.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the last 13 months, Dr. Akakpo is optimistic. “Now I can say a lot has happened,” he shared, highlighting initiatives that have already begun to take shape under his leadership. The university is not just focused on financial recovery but also on rejuvenating the campus environment, and enhancing educational resources to better serve its students.
As the day of Dr. Akakpo’s inauguration approaches, it’s clear that the community looks forward to what lies ahead for Kentucky State University. With this fresh leadership, students, faculty, and staff alike are eager to witness the growth and transformation of their beloved institution.
In the coming days, we’ll keep our eyes peeled on how the new president’s vision unfolds and how it impacts the KSU community. For now, excitement fills the air, and we can’t wait to see the positive changes that are sure to come!
