2019 Baseball Media Guide Fi

UNIVERSITY OVERVIEW There’s something special happening at Northern Kentucky University. The youngest of Ken- tucky’s eight public colleges and universities, NKU has matured into a prominent metropolitan ENROLLMENT institution serving approximately 14,500 associate, undergraduate, graduate, professional and doctoral students from across the nation and around the world. APPROXIMATELY 14,500 STUDENTS As the university celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018, the Norse spirit has never been stronger. Our students embrace the self-determination and work ethic that makes this a special FACULTY place, and our alumni take pride in the impact they make both on our campus and in their community. 568 FULL-TIME FACULTY In 2013, the university community worked together to develop a five-year strategic plan to guide us to our semicentennial. The plan infuses innovation throughout NKU’s programs and services. We’re breaking down barriers between colleges and majors in a way that ensures we STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO continue to graduate leaders capable of making immediate contributions to their organizations, 19:1 the region, and the commonwealth. We prepare students for a life of leadership and service, increasing their opportunities to attain financial security and life fulfillment while reducing the likelihood of burdensome student debt. DEGREES Each new incoming freshman class is more prepared than the one before, and with a height- ened focus on student success in the strategic plan, graduation and retention rates are also on 90 BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS the rise. Our students choose NKU because of the innovative academic programs within each of 24 GRADUATE PROGRAMS its six colleges – the College of Arts and Sciences, Haile/US Bank College of Business, College of Education and Human Services, College of Health Professions, College of Informatics, and Chase College of Law. They’re also drawn to our close-knit campus and to the personal attention they receive from caring faculty-mentors. State colleges and universities like NKU embrace a student focus that emphasizes learning and teaching. That’s why our small classrooms were designed for lively discussions within a comfortable learning atmosphere. THERE’S SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENING AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY. LEARN MORE AT NKU.EDU. 72 NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY BASEBALL ATHLETICS OVERVIEW NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS is an NCAA Division I program with membership in the Horizon League. Following a storied history as a Division II program that included 72 conference titles, 25 regional championships and three national championships, NKU made the transition. In May 2015, after just three years in Division I, Northern Kentucky accepted an invitation to join the prestigious Horizon League. Prior to the 2016-17 season, the NCAA granted Northern Kentucky active Division I status, and Northern Kentucky won Horizon League Tournament Championships in men’s basketball and women’s soccer and appeared in the NCAA tournament in both sports. Men’s basketball followed with the 2018 Horizon League Regular-Season title and subsequent berth in the NIT. MISSION The mission of NKU Athletics is to ad- CORE VALUES vance the University’s vision while focusing 1) Integrity: We will instill integrity in our on the well-being of our student-athletes as student-athletes, coaches and staff by we prepare and empower each of them for conducting ourselves in an honest and academic and competitive success at NKU trustworthy manor. and beyond. We are committed to serving 2) Student-Athlete Well-Being: We and engaging the University and local com- will make decisions to protect and munity while preserving and establishing enhance the physical and educational meaningful and enduring relationships with experience of our student-athletes. alumni, friends and fans. We will do so with 3) Excellence: We will provide our uncompromising integrity and sportsman- student-athletes, coaches and staff the ship exceeding the guidance provided by resources necessary to successfully the National Collegiate Athletic Association compete academically and athletically. and Horizon League. 4) Inclusiveness: We value diversity and embrace the perspectives and VISION contributions of each individual. NKU Athletics will embody comprehen- 5) University Engagement: We will sive excellence. We will adhere to and excel ingrain ourselves in the fabric of in each of our core values while fostering University life. an environment that promotes continuous 6) Community Interaction: We recognize learning, engagement, and fiscal responsi- there is great responsibility and pride bility. in representing NKU by being actively involved in our community. 2019 MEDIA GUIDE 3 PRESIDENT ASHISH VAIDYA Dr. Ashish Vaidya has served as Northern Kentucky University’s sixth president since July 1, 2018, after being named on Nov. 9, 2017. As NKU’s president, Vaidya is responsible for championing the university’s mission and core values, charting an adventurous course and communicating the strategic priorities clearly with internal and external stakeholders. He works closely with the chair and members of the Board of Regents to achieve those priorities and strengthen the university and the community. Vaidya fosters a collegial and collaborative culture that capitalizes on the richness of the NKU community and furthers its commitment to access and in- clusive excellence. Vaidya most recently served a two-year term as interim president of St. Cloud (Minn.) State University, which is similar to NKU in size, scope and complexity. As interim president, he served as the campus CEO and oversaw all operations, the university’s strategic direction and managed SCSU’s $210 million operating budget. Prior to his tenure as interim president at St. Cloud, he served as the university’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. Before SCSU, Vaidya served at two different campuses in the California State University system, where his last appointed role was special advisor to the president for regional economic development at Cal State Los Angeles. From 2010-2014, he served as Cal State L.A.’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. Prior to his tenure there, he was dean of faculty at Cal State Channel Islands, where he helped to build a new institution from the ground up. Vaidya has published numerous books and articles, including serving as an editor of “Operationalizing Stewards of Place: Implementing Regional Engagement and Economic Development Strategies,” a 2015 publication of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. His ex- tensive community work includes service on the boards of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, the Initiative Foundation, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, Partner for Student Success and the University Economic Development Association, among others. He is a member of the AASCU’s Committee on Workforce and Economic Development and from 2014-16, he served as chair of the AASCU Research Engagement and Research Council. Vaidya is married to Nita Vaidya, a sociologist. They have two children: Jaanhvi, a management consultant with Accenture; and Avaneesh, a 2018 graduate of the University of Arizona and a technology development associate at Optum; and Coco—the family’s pampered Chihuahua mix pet. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR KEN BOTHOF Ken Bothof is entering his sixth year as Northern Kentucky University’s director of athletics after taking the helm in August 2013. Since arriving at Northern Kentucky, Bothof has led the charge in NKU’s Division I transition, advancing the Norse through the reclassification process, which culminated with active DI membership prior to the 2016-17 season. Bothof was also instrumental in NKU’s acceptance into the Horizon League, a move that aligned Northern Ken- tucky with other regional institutions that share the same vision. Membership in the Horizon League advances the university’s athletics mission of supporting student-athlete well-being; engaging the university and local community; and establishing relationships with alumni, friends, and fans. NKU experienced tremendous success in its first two-seasons eligible for NCAA postseason competition, as both the men’s basketball and women’s soccer teams won Horizon League Tournament championships and ad- vanced to the NCAA tournament. For men’s basketball, the accomplishment made NKU just the seventh team all- time and only the second since 1970 to reach the NCAA tournament in its first season eligible. The Norse followed with the 2018 regular-season men’s basketball crown in the Horizon League before facing Louisville in the NIT. Both- of hired head men’s basketball coach John Brannen prior to the 2015-16 season and the team is rapidly becoming one of the nation’s premier mid-major programs. Northern Kentucky Athletics’ strategic plan Uprising was also established by Bothof in August 2015. The plan engrains the athletic department’s mission, vision and values, while establishing eight strategic priorities: Integrity, Accountability & Compliance; Academic Achievement; Student-Athlete Well-Being; Competitive Excellence; Facility Enhancement; Campus & Community Engagement; Resource Development & Fiscal Management; and Brand Awareness. During his tenure at NKU, the athletics department has undergone reorganization throughout multiple departments to meet the priorities set forth in the strategic plan. Northern Kentucky’s external areas are growing at a rapid rate under his guidance. Men’s basketball season-ticket sales

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