Natalie Gibson is the System Director for Cultural Diversity with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) in Versailles, Kentucky. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Natalie earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Animal Science/Pre-Veterinary Medicine from the University of Kentucky (UK), and a Master of Public Administration from UK’s nationally recognized, Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, specializing in Environmental Management. Gibson has also been certified by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society as a Leadership Development Instructor.
She joined the staff at KCTCS in January 2008 to lead the System’s Office of Cultural Diversity, which seeks to expand diversity and global awareness. Under her leadership, a system level diversity action plan has been drafted to create a roadmap toward a future where diversity is valued and leveraged as an asset. The planning process has implications for more than 90,000 students; approximately 10,000 full and part time faculty and staff located at 16 colleges and 67 campuses across the Commonwealth.
Natalie was the first Director for Cultural Diversity at Somerset Community College (SCC). Between July 2005 and January 2008, she spearheaded a number of important initiatives which led to a record enrollment of historically underrepresented students; the employment of the most diverse workforce in school history; and the development of student leaders through the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Leadership Development Program - which co-instructed with Dr. Jo Marshall, SCC President and CEO. Gibson also led the development and execution of the first SCC International Festival. Started in 2006 as an annual event to celebrate the cultural richness of the world, this event involves participation from churches, civic organizations and schools.
From 2001 to 2005, she served as the Director of Development at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Kentucky, where her portfolio of responsibilities included: institutional research, grant writing, policy development and donor relations. Prior to serving in the postsecondary education or non-profit sectors, Natalie led a multidisciplinary research team of analysts and technicians that provided contract research and testing services to the agrichemical, pharmaceutical and veterinary health drug industries from 1990 to 2000.
Natalie is active in several local and state organizations, including the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education. From 2003-2007, she was a member of the United Way of Kentucky Board. In 2006, she was Chair of the United Way of Kentucky Public Policy Committee. Most notably, in early 2009, Natalie was appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to serve a four term on the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission.
Natalie and her husband of 20 years, Joe, reside in Lexington. They are the proud parents of two children, Myles and Perrin.