Kentucky State University is pleased to announce Dr. Heather Bigard as Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Bigard to the Thorobred family. Her years of experience in higher education focused on organizational development, finance, strategic planning, and institutional improvement well equips her to be a transformational leader in this key role,” said Kentucky State President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo. “We look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtably make.”

An Illinois native and first-generation college student, Dr. Bigard began her higher education journey at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL, and later transferred to Lambuth University in Jackson, TN earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance. She served as the Chief Financial and Operations Officer at Springfield College-Benedictine University while completing a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. During that time, she led program improvement and expansion initiatives that culminated in a merger between the two institutions. She later assumed the role of Vice President of Administration and Finance at Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL, a private work college offering experiential learning opportunities to students, and led another transformation that resulted in enrollment growth, facility improvements, and fiscal sustainability. 

Dr. Bigard holds a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education and Organizational Change and focused her research on advancing women leaders in higher education. Her passion for expanding access to education, improving student success through intervention and innovation, and building high-performing teams continued to be the focus of her work as the Provost and Executive Vice President, and later, as the first female President of Lake-Sumter State College, a public community college in Central Florida. Some of her proudest accomplishments include securing funding for a new workforce development center, building strategic partnerships to support workforce development and economic impact, and serving as the institution’s brand ambassador. 

Dr. Bigard is married to Phil Bigard, an IT professional with the Kentucky Department of Education, and they have two young adult children, Lexi and Dylan. They enjoy an active lifestyle of outdoor activities, travel, sports, music, and cuisine.  

“I am truly excited to join this vibrant learning community and look forward to supporting our students as they grow, discover their potential, and achieve their goals,” said Dr. Bigard.