Dr. Lee T. Todd, Jr. to Keynote KSTA 2025: A Visionary Leader Inspiring Educators to Go Beyond Boundaries

The Kentucky Science Teachers Association is thrilled to welcome Dr. Lee T. Todd, Jr., former President of the University of Kentucky, as the keynote speaker for the 2025 KSTA Conference—a transformative event themed “Beyond Boundaries.”

Dr. Todd’s storied career—spanning scientific innovation, public service, entrepreneurial leadership, and tireless advocacy for education—uniquely positions him to challenge and inspire science educators to reimagine what’s possible in Kentucky classrooms and communities.

A Legacy Rooted in Innovation and Equity

Born in Earlington, Kentucky, and educated in the very institutions he would later lead, Dr. Todd’s journey is a testament to what it means to break boundaries. With a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from MIT and six patents in high-resolution display technology, his scientific achievements alone mark him as a trailblazer. But his legacy extends far beyond the lab.

As the 11th President of the University of Kentucky, Dr. Todd led the charge in transforming the university into a nationally recognized research institution. Under his leadership, UK’s enrollment, research funding, graduation rates, and campus infrastructure soared. His groundbreaking Top 20 Business Plan became a national model, redefining how universities could align bold visions with practical strategies.

An Advocate for Science Education and Economic Change

Perhaps most relevant to Kentucky science teachers is Dr. Todd’s unwavering belief in education as the engine of economic progress. His leadership catalyzed a shift in how Kentucky viewed science, technology, and innovation—not as abstract goals, but as concrete tools to improve quality of life.

He co-founded the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC) to build science and entrepreneurship capacity in Kentucky. He led efforts to secure millions in research funds through the EPSCoR program and launched initiatives like the Commonwealth Collaboratives to directly confront long-standing challenges in health, education, and economic development.

As chair of Kentucky’s STEM Task Force, Dr. Todd has championed stronger science and math education statewide—aligning perfectly with KSTA’s mission to ignite curiosity and empower future-ready learners.

What Dr. Todd Brings to KSTA 2025

In a time when science educators are being asked to do more than ever—close opportunity gaps, nurture innovation, and prepare students for a rapidly evolving world—Dr. Todd’s keynote will serve as a rallying cry.

Expect a message that is bold, energizing, and deeply personal. Dr. Todd will speak not just as a former university president, but as a teacher, engineer, father, and Kentuckian who understands the weight and the wonder of shaping young minds.

His keynote will explore:

• Breaking Barriers: How educators can lead students beyond boundaries of geography, poverty, and limited expectations.

• Fostering Innovation: Why Kentucky must continue to invest in STEM talent and how teachers can cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset in the classroom.

• Building a Future-Oriented Vision: How public education, scientific discovery, and community partnerships can drive statewide transformation.

Beyond Boundaries, Beyond the Moment

Dr. Todd’s presence at KSTA 2025 is more than a keynote—it’s a celebration of what Kentucky educators can achieve when they dare to think bigger. His words will not only honor your work in the classroom but empower you to think of yourselves as architects of change across the Commonwealth and beyond.

Join us this fall as we welcome a leader who has always seen the entire state as his classroom—and who continues to remind us that our greatest impact begins when we go beyond boundaries.