Our Core Team
Lu Young, EdD
Executive Director
Lu provides executive leadership to all aspects of the Center with primary responsibility for Next Gen professional development. She is currently the Vice Chair of the Kentucky State Board of Education. Previously, she served as the Chief Academic Officer of Fayette County Public Schools, and, before that, superintendent of Jessamine County Schools for nine years.
Justin Bathon, JD/PhD
Faculty Director
Justin is a founding member of Next Gen. He presently leads Next Generation Scholars and contributes to all aspects of the Center. He is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies. He is the co-developer of the STEAM Academy in Lexington.
Karen Perry, MA
Director, Next Gen. Schools Network
Karen leads the development of the Next Generation Scholars Network of partner schools across Kentucky. Ms. Perry is an expert on competency models, personalized learning, and district-level innovation leadership based on her previous work as Director of Personalized Learning in Henry County Schools, Georgia.
Jenny Holly, MA
Operations Manager
Jenny is the everyday operations lead at the Center for Next Generation Leadership coordinating schedules, budgets, events, and other aspects of the Center.
Neomia Hagans-Flores, MA
Director of Scholars Dual Credit
Neomia is currently Associate Director of the Center with primary responsibility for dual credit course implementation and student relationships. Previously Ms. Hagans-Flores led student relationships for the Robinson Scholars program at UK.
Lora Shields Director Changemakers
Lora leads the ChangeMakers rank change program. Ms. Shields has long-range experience in professional learning to support deeper learning. She has deeply explored and experienced leading learning around thinking strategies, competency models, and personalized learning. She has led the transformation of district-level personalized professional learning based on her previous work as Staff Developer in Shelby County, KY schools, and as a literacy coach in Oldham County Schools.
Team Members
Liza Holland, Communications Specialist
Liza Holland is an education advocate, specializing in communications and facilitation. Having started in P-12 as a PTA local, district and state leader, Liza has experience in schools at all levels. She has been an education consultant for United Way of the Bluegrass and Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, which took her perspective from cradle to career. Liza is the host of Education-Perspectives podcast.
Cameron French
Bio available soon.
Kara Carr
Bio available soon.
Related College of Education Faculty
Susan Dugle, Professional Development Leader
Susan Dugle is a retired educator from Shelbyville, KY where she served 30 years as an elementary teacher, school administrator, curriculum specialist and Chief Academic Officer. During her time in Shelby County Public Schools, she led the community in the development and implementation of the Profile of a Graduate. She has been able to share her experiences in transformative education throughout the country through multiple articles and presentations.
Dr. Mary John O’Hair
Specialization: Executive Leadership