Growing Our Team
Welcoming Dr. Lois McWhorter
The Center for Professional Development is pleased to welcome Dr. Lois McWhorter as our Associate Director for Strategy and Operations. A respected educator, administrator, and community leader, Dr. McWhorter brings extensive experience helping students, institutions, and communities thrive. We’re excited about the vision, expertise, and collaborative leadership she brings to our team.
Dr. McWhorter joins our team with more than 30 years of experience in higher education and a proven record of helping organizations grow, innovate, and better serve their communities. Most recently, she served as the University of the Cumberlands’ Chair of the Hutton School of Business, where she provided strategic leadership while championing student success, faculty development, and community partnerships.
Throughout her career, Dr. McWhorter has been known for turning ideas into action. She has helped launch innovative academic programs, build partnerships with community colleges and technical centers, expand access to education, and secure millions of dollars in grant funding to support underserved populations across Eastern and Southeastern Kentucky.
Before joining the University of the Cumberlands, she served as Associate Dean of the Business and Professional Services Division at Somerset Community College and spent more than two decades as a professor. Her leadership helped produce some of the highest graduation rates in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, while her early adoption of online learning expanded opportunities for students across the region.
Dr. McWhorter brings not only deep expertise in strategic planning and operations, but also a collaborative leadership style and a strong network of professional relationships. Since joining The Center, she has already contributed fresh ideas, valuable connections, and a forward-thinking perspective that are helping strengthen our impact and position us for continued growth.
Dr. McWhorter holds an MBA from Eastern Kentucky University and a PhD in Strategic Management from the University of the Cumberlands. A respected educator, presenter, and community leader, Dr. McWhorter has earned numerous professional awards and remains actively involved in organizations that support education, workforce development, and regional advancement.
We are excited about the experience, energy, and vision Dr. McWhorter brings to The Center for Professional Development and look forward to the many ways her leadership will help advance our mission in the years ahead.
