ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ

Welcome to the University that puts You First.

Here, we put students first. So much so that we provide every UC student with their own success coordinator to ensure a personalized and rewarding experience. We foster leadership through service. We innovate. Quickly and constantly. If we see a way to better serve ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ' students, we do it. Even if it means cutting tuition by 57% to make an excellent undergraduate education more accessible; Or expanding our online, graduate and executive offerings to meet the growing need. At the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, what you see is what you get – no hidden fees, no secret handshake, no fine print.  

The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ address for our two campuses might be in Kentucky, but we serve a world of students online. We bring education to our students where and when they need it—in other words, when it comes to providing the best education, we possibly can, we’re not afraid to revamp. To reinvent. To rethink. To always put you first.

Welcome from the President

Our approach to education is personal. We value and are committed to the success of each and every student. We strive to meet the unique needs of each individual so they can achieve their goals.

Dr. Quentin Young

There are few places like ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ…where mission fuels momentum, where tradition sparks innovation, and where the calling to serve students well remains our North Star.

Dr. Quentin Young
University President
The globe statue on the campus of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ.

University Mission

Our mission is to provide a quality, affordable education to students from all backgrounds through broad-based academics. The institution is grounded in Christian principles and leadership through service.

University Vision

Our vision is to be a university of distinction that encourages professional and intellectual growth in a student-focused community.

1. Ensure access to underserved student populations.
2. Pursue excellence in teaching and learning.
3. Foster faith in action through a student-focused community.
4. Innovate to improve student learning outcomes and career preparedness.

By the Numbers

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is an institution of regional distinction that offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 major fields of study, along with several pre-professional, graduate, and doctoral programs.

31%

First-Generation Students

KY

College of Distinction

16:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

1 in 4

Students Debt-Free
Students walk to class on ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ campus

2030 Strategic Plan

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ 2030 Strategic Plan defines measurable goals that align with the university's mission and vision.

University History

In 1888, a group of Baptist Ministers founded a small college in Kentucky known as the Williamsburg Institute, for the purpose of preparing young adults for lives as servant leaders. In 1913, following the acquisition of Highland College, Cumberland College was born.  The school officially became ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ in 2005.

Undaunted by wars, economic depressions, social unrest and natural disasters, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ has continuously served students primarily, but not exclusively, from the beautiful Appalachian mountain regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Alabama. Now, thanks to the welcome addition of online learning, the University’s doors are open to students from all over the world.

The school’s vision for providing higher education in an underserved area caught the eye of men like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie, both of whom supported the institution. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ has produced two governors, five military generals, an admiral, five college and university presidents, a Congressman, ministers, missionaries, legislators, judges and more.

Eleven presidents have served ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, including William James Johnson, E. E. Wood, John Newton Prestridge, Gorman Jones, A. R. Evans, Charles William Elsey, James Lloyd Creech, J. M. Boswell, James H. Taylor, Larry L. Cockrum, and Quentin R. Young, current President. 

University Leadership

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is led by President Quentin Young and a cabinet of eight executive administrators. The university’s Board of Trustees is responsible for establishing policies for the governance of the university. Dr. Larry L. Cockrum serves as the university's president emeritus. 

Dr. Quentin Young

Dr. Quentin Young

President
President's Cabinet
University Leadership

Dr. Quentin Young

Contact Information

president [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Administration Building
University President Larry L. Cockrum

Dr. Larry L. Cockrum

President-Emeritus
President's Office
University Leadership

Dr. Larry L. Cockrum

Contact Information

presoff [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Building
Dr. Jerry Jackson

Dr. Jerry Jackson

Chancellor
President's Cabinet
University Leadership

Dr. Jerry Jackson

Contact Information

jerry.jackson [at] ucumberlands.edu
Boswell Campus Center Office 115
Steve Allen

Steve Allen

Executive Vice President for Human Resources
President's Cabinet
University Leadership

Steve Allen

Contact Information

steve.allen [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Building
Dr. Donnie Grimes

Dr. Donnie Grimes

CEO The Center for Professional Development / Executive Vice President for Workforce Development
President's Cabinet
University Leadership

Dr. Donnie Grimes

Contact Information

donnie.grimes [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff 007
Dr. Trey Jarboe

Dr. Trey Jarboe

Provost / Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
President's Cabinet
University Leadership

Dr. Trey Jarboe

Contact Information

trey.jarboe [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Building
Dr. Leslie Ryser

Dr. Leslie Ryser

Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement / Chief of Staff
Development
President's Cabinet
President's Office
University Leadership

Dr. Leslie Ryser

Contact Information

leslie.ryser [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Building
Jessica Shearer

Jessica Shearer

Executive Vice President for Information Technology/ CIO
Information Technology
Information Technology Sciences

Jessica Shearer

Contact Information

jessica.shearer [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff
Chris Shotwell

Chris S. Shotwell

Executive Vice President of Finance
President's Cabinet
University Leadership

Chris S. Shotwell

Contact Information

chris.shotwell [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Administration Building
Travis Wilson

Travis Wilson

Executive Vice President for Operations, Buildings & Grounds / COO
Operations
President's Cabinet
University Leadership

Travis Wilson

Contact Information

travis.wilson [at] ucumberlands.edu
Adams Center