To: Faculty and Staff
From: Cady Short-Thompson, Ph.D.
President, Northern Kentucky University
Date: 10/06/25
Subject: FY 2026 Budgetary Update
Dear NKU Colleagues,
As you know, NKU has made significant progress in our financial recovery, moving from a $24 million deficit to a balanced budget. This is a major milestone worth noting, and it reflects the hard work, discipline, and sacrifice across our university.
Over the last few months, we’ve communicated openly about our budget, highlighting revenue challenges and the need for adjustments. Given lower-than-anticipated state performance funding, the adverse effect of a change in the state’s delinquent collections practices, and a slight decline in graduate and international enrollments this fall, we must make difficult but strategic adjustments to our budget midyear. These adjustments include eliminating some vacant positions, reducing operating budgets, and making a small number of staffing reductions, accounting for less than one percent of our total workforce. To be clear, this is not a hiring freeze; we have several key vacant positions which are currently posted for application.
While these decisions are painful for us to make, they are necessary to ensure we do not return to a deficit situation. Under the leadership of the Board of Regents and my administration, NKU will operate within a balanced budget. Through the steps we have taken, NKU remains fiscally stable, nationally recognized for its value, and deeply committed to serving our students and this region. These adjustments allow us to protect our progress, preserve affordability, and continue providing the high-quality education and support that our students deserve.
Thank you for your continued dedication to NKU and to the students we serve. We have come a long way; yet more work remains. Together, we are strengthening our university’s financial health and future.
Best Regards,
Cady Short-Thompson, Ph.D.
President, Northern Kentucky University
