A Diverse EKU

Diversity at EKU is an inextricable component of academic excellence. It is intricately interwoven into creating a culture of preeminence as was envisioned in our strategic plan, Make No Little Plans: A Vision for 2020. Diverse learning environments nurture higher order critical thinking, foster civic learning and engagement, and prepare us to be productive citizens in an increasingly global and complex society. Diversity is also rooted in Eastern's six strategic goals: Academic Excellence, Commitment to Student Success, Institutional Distinction, Financial Strength, Campus Revitalization, and Service to Communities and Region.

Military Friendly EKU

At EKU, we’re not just military friendly; we’re VETS|Ready.  Our dedicated Veteran Education Transition and Support (VETS) team is committed to ensuring our veteran and military students succeed in and out of the classroom.   

Ranked consistently in the top 10% nationally (and #1 in Kentucky) as a “Best for Vets” public institution by Military Times magazine, and the only one in Kentucky to earn the coveted Gold designation as a “Military Friendly” School, EKU has a long history of providing high-quality, accredited programs and exceptional delivery  of services to veterans, active duty service members, reserve/guard service members, and military families. 

EKU’s commitment to veterans is not limited to its students; as an employer, we also value the diversity, reliability, resiliency, training and teamwork skills veterans bring to the workforce that directly translates into their professional success and that of their colleagues.  We want to leverage those skills and experiences and provide opportunities for veterans’ career growth by joining our ranks and supporting our mission:  to prepare students to contribute to the success and vitality of their communities, the Commonwealth, and the world.  

City of Richmond

Situated near the heart of the Bluegrass, Richmond is served by a network of major highways that make Eastern easily accessible from all parts of Kentucky and surrounding states. Richmond is 26 miles southeast of Lexington, Kentucky. Interstate Highways I-75 (north-south) and I-64 (east-west) make the metropolitan areas of Cincinnati, 112 miles to the north, and Louisville, 110 miles to the west, within convenient distance by automobile. Richmond is also served by U.S. Route 25 from Southeastern Kentucky and Kentucky Route 52 from the east and west. The Bluegrass, Mountain, Daniel Boone, and Cumberland Parkways provide even greater accessibility by automobile since the city is located near the convergence of these arterial highways into the interstate system.

Richmond, the county seat of Madison County, is one of the Commonwealth's fastest-growing cities, with about 33,000 residents. The community provides an excellent environment for the university student and boasts a regional shopping mall, theaters, live entertainment, fine dining, cultural events and activities, as well as many areas of historic and scenic interest. Fort Boonesborough State Park, birthplace of Kentucky, is located 12 miles to the north. Many other historical sites are within easy driving distance. Scenic and recreational areas surround this section of the state.  Learn more about Richmond at https://richmond.ky.us.

Eastern Kentucky University will be a premier university dedicated to innovative student engagement and success, advancing Kentucky, and impacting the world.

Mission
As a school of opportunity, Eastern Kentucky University fosters personal growth and prepares students to contribute to the success and vitality of their communities, the Commonwealth, and the world.

Eastern Kentucky University is committed to access, equal opportunity, dignity, respect, and inclusion for all people, as integral to a learning environment in which intellectual creativity and diversity thrives.

Values
Eastern Kentucky University’s values shall permeate the mission and will be the fiber of the institution for it to achieve its vision.

• intellectual vitality, which is characterized by knowledge, scholarly inquiry, creativity, critical thinking, and curiosity, all with a global perspective;
• sense of community, which is characterized by a supportive environment with strong relationships and a commitment to service, shared governance, collaboration, and unity of purpose;
• cultural competency, which is characterized by equitable opportunities and treatment, mutual respect, and the inclusion and celebration of diverse peoples and ideas;
• stewardship of place, by which the University enhances the intellectual capacity, economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life of the communities it serves;
• accountability, which is characterized by fiscal responsibility, operational transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of internal and external stakeholders; and
• excellence, which is achieved through integrity, continuous quality improvement, and a focused emphasis on the personal and professional growth of students, faculty, and staff.