WKU News

WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is thrilled to announce the appointment of Chris Stunson as the new Director of Professional Educator Services, effective August 1. Stunson, a native of Richmond, Kentucky, brings a wealth of experience to this role.

Dean Corinne Murphy expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We are excited to welcome Mr. Stunson to our team. As a math educator, coach, principal, and community leader, Chris is well-versed in the needs of our professional education community. He joins our team at a particularly exciting time as we continue our focus on educator recruitment and retention, returning education to a first-choice major for our next generation of college graduates.”

The Director of Professional Educator Services oversees the Office of Professional Educator Services (OPES), ensuring compliance with the Education Professional Standards Board and Kentucky statutes and regulations. The OPES manages teacher education admissions, clinical field placements, student teaching placements, and certification applications. The Director also serves as the primary point of contact for P-12 school districts and community support agencies partnering with WKU students, faculty, and regional education partners.

Chris Stunson is a 2004 graduate of Madison Central High School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Education from Union College, where he was a standout student-athlete. He earned the Dr. Jean Letch Education Award, the Union College Mathematics Award, Peer Mentor of the Year Award, and was named to the Dean's List. Stunson later completed his Master of Arts in Educational Leadership at the University of the Cumberlands in 2013.

Stunson began his career in education in Bowling Green, Kentucky, teaching math and coaching women's basketball and track at Warren Central High School. He subsequently served as Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and interim Principal before being appointed Principal of Bristow Elementary in 2015.

In addition to his educational roles, Stunson has been a dedicated mentor for youth in the community, working with programs such as Upward Bound and the WKU Young Male Leadership Academy. He helped establish the Boys to Men Leadership Group, which serves multiple schools in the Bowling Green/Warren County area.

Stunson's contributions to education have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Trailblazer for Education Award by the Bowling Green Martin Luther King Jr. Black History Month Planning Committee, the Golden Apple Award by the Warren County Board of Education, and the Outstanding Educator Award by the Kentucky Parent Teacher Association. He was also honored as a "Rising Star" by the Union College Hall of Distinguished Alumni and currently serves on the Union College Board of Trustees.

WKU is excited about the expertise and leadership that Chris Stunson will bring to OPES and looks forward to the positive impact he will have on the university’s educator preparation programs.

For more information about OPES, visit https://www.wku.edu/educatorservices.