Welcome to the University that puts You First.

Here, we put students first. So much so that we provide every UC student with their own success coordinator to ensure a personalized and rewarding experience. We foster leadership through service. We innovate. Quickly and constantly. If we see a way to better serve University of the Cumberlands' students, we do it. Even if it means cutting tuition by 57% to make an excellent undergraduate education more accessible; Or expanding our online, graduate and executive offerings to meet the growing need. At the University of the Cumberlands, what you see is what you get – no hidden fees, no secret handshake, no fine print.  

The University of the Cumberlands address for our two campuses might be in Kentucky, but we serve a world of students online. We bring education to our students where and when they need it—in other words, when it comes to providing the best education, we possibly can, we’re not afraid to revamp. To reinvent. To rethink. To always put you first.

Welcome from the President

Our approach to education is personal. We value and are committed to the success of each and every student. We strive to meet the unique needs of each individual so they can achieve their goals.

University President Larry L. Cockrum

If you enroll at Cumberlands, you will pay a tuition rate that we consider to be among the most affordable rates in higher education, and you will pay absolutely nothing else. No hassles. No extra fees. None of that. And when you are ready to start classes, our team will ensure you have the books and course materials needed and ready for you to use.

Dr. Larry L. Cockrum
University President
The globe statue on the campus of Cumberlands.

University Mission

Our mission is to provide a quality, affordable education to students from all backgrounds through broad-based academics. The institution is grounded in Christian principles and leadership through service.

University Vision

Our vision is to be a university of distinction that encourages professional and intellectual growth in a student-focused community.

1. Ensure access to underserved student populations.
2. Pursue excellence in teaching and learning.
3. Foster faith in action through a student-focused community.
4. Innovate to improve student learning outcomes and career preparedness.

By the Numbers

University of the Cumberlands is an institution of regional distinction that offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 major fields of study, along with several pre-professional, graduate, and doctoral programs.

44%

First-Generation Students

6x

College of Distinction

16:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

1 in 5

Students Debt-Free
Students walk to class on Cumberlands campus

2025 Strategic Plan

Cumberlands 2025 Strategic Plan defines measurable goals that align with the university's mission and vision.

University History

In 1888, a group of Baptist Ministers founded a small college in Kentucky known as the Williamsburg Institute, for the purpose of preparing young adults for lives as servant leaders. In 1913, following the acquisition of Highland College, Cumberland College was born.  The school officially became University of the Cumberlands in 2005..

Undaunted by wars, economic depressions, social unrest and natural disasters, University of the Cumberlands has continuously served students primarily, but not exclusively, from the beautiful Appalachian mountain regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Alabama. Now, thanks to the welcome addition of online learning, the University’s doors are open to students from all over the world.

The school’s vision for providing higher education in an underserved area caught the eye of men like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie, both of whom supported the institution. Cumberlands has produced two governors, five military generals, an admiral, five college and university presidents, a Congressman, ministers, missionaries, legislators, judges and more.

Ten presidents have served Cumberlands, including William James Johnson, E. E. Wood, John Newton Prestridge, Gorman Jones, A. R. Evans, Charles William Elsey, James Lloyd Creech, J. M. Boswell, James H. Taylor and Larry L. Cockrum, current President

University Leadership

Cumberlands is led by President Larry L. Cockrum and a cabinet of seven executive administrators. The university’s Board of Trustees is responsible for establishing policies for the governance of the university.

University President Larry L. Cockrum

Dr. Larry L. Cockrum

President
President's Office
University Leadership

Dr. Larry L. Cockrum

Contact Information

presoff [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Building
Dr. Jerry Jackson

Dr. Jerry Jackson

Chancellor
President's Cabinet
University Leadership

Dr. Jerry Jackson

Contact Information

jerry.jackson [at] ucumberlands.edu
Boswell Campus Center Office 115
Dr. Trey Jarboe

Dr. Trey Jarboe

Provost / Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs
Academic Affairs
President's Cabinet
University Leadership

Dr. Trey Jarboe

Contact Information

trey.jarboe [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Building
Dr. Donnie Grimes

Dr. Donnie Grimes

Executive Vice President for Information Technology / CIO | Executive Dean, School of IT & Workforce Development
Information Technology
President's Cabinet
School of Computer Information Sciences
University Leadership

Dr. Donnie Grimes

Contact Information

donnie.grimes [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff 007
Dr. Leslie Ryser

Dr. Leslie Ryser

Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement / Chief of Staff
Development
President's Cabinet
President's Office
University Leadership

Dr. Leslie Ryser

Contact Information

leslie.ryser [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Building
Dr. Jonathan Shores, Jr.

Dr. Jonathan Shores, Jr.

Executive Vice President for Enrollment Management | Chief Enrollment Officer
University Leadership
President's Cabinet

Dr. Jonathan Shores, Jr.

Contact Information

jonathan.shores [at] ucumberlands.edu
Boswell Campus Center
Dr. Quentin Young

Dr. Quentin Young

Executive Vice President for Finance / CFO
Finance
Financial Aid
Human Resources
Office of Student Accounts
President's Cabinet
University Leadership

Dr. Quentin Young

Contact Information

quentin.young [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Administration Building
Travis Wilson

Travis Wilson

Executive Vice President for Operations, Buildings & Grounds / COO
Operations
President's Cabinet
University Leadership

Travis Wilson

Contact Information

travis.wilson [at] ucumberlands.edu
Adams Center
Anna Smith-Gallimore

Anna Smith-Gallimore

Executive Assistant, Office of the President
President's Office

Anna Smith-Gallimore

Contact Information

anna.smith [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Building