Feist-Price Named Vice President for Institutional Diversity

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 10, 2017) — University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto has tabbed a longtime UK scholar and academic administrator as the next vice president for institutional diversity. 

Sonja Feist-Price will begin her duties as vice president for institutional diversity on March 20, Capilouto announced this week to campus. Feist-Price has been at UK for nearly 25 years as a leading teacher and scholar in the College of Education. She also has served as academic ombud and most recent as a senior assistant provost for faculty affairs.

“Dr. Feist-Price brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to this essential work, along with decades-long and heart-felt commitment to our university’s success,” Capilouto said. “Having served on the faculty of our College of Education and embracing challenging responsibilities across a wide spectrum of administrative roles, she possesses the right combination of credentials, experiences, skills, and personal relationships necessary to help lead us forward to an even more welcoming and diverse campus.”

“Words cannot begin to express how excited I am about the opportunity to work with President Capilouto to lead the University of Kentucky in the area of diversity and inclusion,” Feist-Price said. “The ability to positively impact the lives of students, faculty and staff as it relates to inclusive excellence is consistent with my purpose and passion for life, and aligns with the university’s strategic plan. I look forward to expanding the great work of the Office for Institutional Diversity.”

Capilouto also praised Terry Allen, who has served as interim vice president for much of the last two years.

“We are indebted to him for this most recent work,” Capilouto said, “but also for his admirable record of service to our university across so many years.”

Feist-Price was named to the vice president’s position following a search that began this fall. A broad-based search committee, chaired by College of Public Health Dean Donna Arnett, reached a consensus in recent weeks with Capilouto on Feist-Price as the preferred candidate for the position.

Feist-Price recently appeared in campus forums with students, faculty and staff to discuss her vision for the position. She also has recently met with senior administrators and direct reports to Capilouto.