Get to Know President David McFaddin
Dr. David T. McFaddin
14th President of Eastern Kentucky University
Dr. David T. McFaddin is the 14th president of Eastern Kentucky University. Since being appointed president in 2020, McFaddin has led the university to strengthened enrollment, historical heights in student success and numerous national accolades.
A proud Kentucky native, McFaddin leads with a Kentucky-first mentality. EKU is now the third largest public university in Kentucky for student enrollment. The university serves more Kentucky students than any other regional, comprehensive university and leads the state in placing graduates in high-demand careers across the Commonwealth.
A first-generation college graduate, McFaddin has implemented several innovative programs focused on affordability and access, removing barriers to education. For the past three consecutive years, more than 50% of EKU’s freshman class have been first-generation college students.
New academic programs launched under McFaddin’s presidency work to align academic programs with workforce demands. In a bold proposal, McFaddin seeks to bring the state’s first public osteopathic medical program to EKU, addressing statewide healthcare shortages.
McFaddin’s efforts as president have led to EKU earning national recognition as an “Opportunity College and University” by the Carnegie Foundation for higher-than-expected levels of student access and post-graduation earnings. For the past three years, EKU has ranked first among Kentucky’s public universities for Top Performers on Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report. With a focus on excellence in veterans education, EKU ranked as the number one 2026 Military Friendly® School in the country and ranked in the top ten Military Friendly® Spouse Schools in the nation.
Prior to his appointment as president, McFaddin served EKU as senior vice president of operations and strategic initiatives; vice president for government relations, engagement and regional stewardship; and as part-time faculty. Before joining EKU, McFaddin held regional and statewide leadership posts with AT&T for nearly 15 years.
McFaddin holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from EKU, a master’s degree in business administration from the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky, and a bachelor’s degree in public relations from EKU.
Dr. McFaddin and his wife Melissa, a 2002 EKU graduate, have three children (Isabel, Sophia and Connor) and have been actively involved in the Richmond community for over 20 years.