Lu Settles Young joined the University of Kentucky College of Education as a program evaluator and faculty member in the Next Generation Leadership Academy in January 2015. She is now a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies and Director of Next Generation Educational Partnerships.
Before coming to UK, Dr. Young served as the Chief Academic Officer of Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, KY, and before that, superintendent of Jessamine County Schools for nine years. Dr. Young began her career in education in 1983 in Jessamine County where she served as a teacher, assistant principal, curriculum director, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. She earned principal and superintendent certifications from the University of Kentucky and holds a doctorate in education leadership from Northern Kentucky University.
Dr. Young was selected as the 2012 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year. She also served as the 2014-15 President of the KY Association of School Administrators and is the chairperson of the Board of the United Way of the Bluegrass.