Dr. Ken Kitts became president of the University of North Alabama on March 30, 2015.   Prior to joining UNA, Dr. Kitts worked at both Francis Marion University in South Carolina (1987-2011) and at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (2011-2015).

A native of Waynesville, N.C., Dr. Kitts holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Appalachian State University, and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of South Carolina. He also holds a post-graduate certificate from Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management.   Dr. Kitts’ academic interests include the American presidency and national security policy.  He is the author of an award-winning book on presidential commissions.

Dr. Kitts and his wife, Dena, are the proud parents of two young boys, Colin and Corbin.  The family lives in the President’s Home on the beautiful and historic UNA campus and is next door neighbors to Leo III and Una, the two African lions that serve as the university’s mascots. Kitts is a member of the UNA President’s Cabinet.