Biography
Timothy C. Caboni, a 1994 Western Kentucky University graduate, returned to the Hill on July 1, 2017, as WKU’s 10th president. Shortly after assuming the role, President Caboni launched a comprehensive strategic planning process aimed at developing a roadmap for the university’s next decade of growth. Thus, WKU’s 2018–2028 strategic plan, Climbing to Greater Heights, was finalized in summer 2018. In 2025, President Caboni implemented a review of the strategic plan to reflect on lessons learned, new possibilities, and evolving institutional aspirations. The resulting strategic plan extension, introduced in 2026, is informed by a rapidly evolving higher education environment shaped by demographic change, heightened expectations for accountability, fiscal shifts, and technological advancement.
From the 2016–17 academic year to the 2024–25 academic year, overall student retention at WKU increased 9.5 percentage points (69.9% to 79.4%). Retention of underrepresented minority (URM) students increased 14.3 percentage points (57.8% to 72.1%) during that time, and low-income student retention increased 14 percentage points (60.2% to 74.2%). The 2024–2025 academic year saw the highest retention rates in WKU history for all students (79.4%) as well as for low-income students (74.2%). The university’s four-year graduation rate increased from 28.8% to 50.1% and the six-year graduation rate improved from 50.7% to 59.1% The university also awarded in 2024–2025 the largest number of degrees and credentials in university history (4,688).
Since his arrival in 2017, President Caboni has overseen campus improvement projects totaling nearly $655 million. In 2018, he dedicated Ogden College Hall, which houses most of WKU’s science disciplines. He championed the construction of WKU’s First Year Village, which opened in fall 2021 and is home to many of the university’s Living Learning Communities (LLCs). Additionally, the Commons at Helm Library opened its doors to the campus community in the spring 2022 semester. This unique, modern multipurpose facility transformed a traditional campus library into an intellectual hub where students, faculty and staff gather to share ideas and engage in active learning. In the fall of 2023, WKU opened its new soccer/softball complex, forever changing the operations of the university’s women’s soccer and softball teams. The Hilltop Restoration Project, including the newly dedicated Garrett Plaza, was completed in summer 2024, making the area more accessible, providing outdoor space for the community to gather and returning the top of the Hill to founding President Henry Hardin Cherry’s original vision. In fall 2025, the university dedicated Amy and David Chandler Hall, the home of the Gordon Ford College of Business, to support business instruction throughout the region and prepare the next generation of business professionals. In spring 2026, WKU opened the Tim and Sarah Ford Fieldhouse, which provides space for the institution’s award-winning forensics team, Big Red Marching Band, e-sports team and athletics. In May 2025, President Caboni announced a significant investment in Cherry Hall to restore the university’s most iconic building to its original grandeur while positioning it to support future generations of Hilltoppers; reopening is planned for fall 2027. Finally, the university will soon break ground on a replacement for its academic complex, made possible by a $160 million appropriation from the Kentucky General Assembly, the largest capital project appropriation in WKU’s history. The academic complex currently serves as the home of the College of Health and Human Services and WKU Public Media.
President Caboni oversaw the development of a landmark agreement with Gilbane, a national construction and real estate development company, to launch a public–private partnership (P3) aimed at completely reimagining the future of campus housing at WKU. The initiative, known as Elevate WKU, represents one of the most ambitious capital projects in the university’s history and is designed to transform the residential experience for generations of Hilltoppers. Phase 1 of the project includes a $350 million investment to construct a modern 1,000-bed residential facility, with anticipated opening in fall 2028, while also providing critical upgrades and renovations to existing housing infrastructure across campus.
Under President Caboni’s leadership, the university has also experienced significant fundraising success. Shortly after arriving at WKU in 2017, he announced the creation of the WKU Opportunity Fund, an effort to support WKU students experiencing financial difficulties. The fund surpassed its initial goal of $50 million, and in 2021, President Caboni announced an even more ambitious $100 million goal. Ultimately, the Opportunity Fund grew to $102.4 million and led to the creation of 267 endowed scholarships. Under President Caboni’s leadership, the university has experienced five of the most successful fundraising years in its history.
Links
Dr. Caboni on the WKU President's Page