Dr. Anne Kenworthy: Spalding’s President Is Full Mission Ahead

By Kelsey Knott Photos By Matt Johnson and provided by Lightspeed Productions LLC 

Downtown Louisville has a new champion for education, putting plans into action to strengthen the community, grow the economy, and just be a good neighbor. Dr. Anne Kenworthy passionately shares her aspirations for Spalding University in her new role, always starting with the question ‘How can we adapt what we do to support the city?’ 

Though her father, a teacher, was initially hesitant for his daughter to enter the education field, the undeniable joy in watching students discover their potential and grow into themselves was understood. Kenworthy spent 30 years teaching math, economics, and marketing, using it to enhance her leadership today: “I’m a mathematician and strategist who thrives on creating new pathways, fine-tuning systems, and leading growth through collaborative change. I enjoy looking at an organization or situation and pushing myself to think of ways to innovate and improve it. That’s where the heart of leadership lives for me. I describe myself as a person who finds satisfaction in everything from home improvement projects to enrollment strategy and academic planning, each one a chance to leave something stronger than I found it.” 

At Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, Kenworthy made remarkable strides. “I was given the space to succeed and permission to fail earlier in my career. One of my early bosses, Dr. Mark Smith, gave me his confidence and trust, allowing me to build those early leadership skills. I later led a turnaround that increased undergraduate enrollment by 37% over five years at CBU.” At Spalding, she looks forward to continuing its legacy, rooted in the Sisters of Charity Nazareth, while simultaneously “meeting the needs of the times” through actively listening to the students, faculty, and community. 

While postsecondary education remains under scrutiny, Kenworthy confidently affirms that it’s not going anywhere. “When you help students feel like they belong, they start to believe in what’s possible, and they go on to transform their communities and build the economy. You equip students with the skills to create and inspire growth. A report released by the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities evaluated the economic impact of Kentucky’s private colleges. Spalding’s impact on the local economy was $105 million in Fiscal Year ‘22.’”The humanitarian impact of Spalding students is as critical as its economic impact, with many students stepping into crucial healthcare roles. 

Unsurprisingly, the city of Louisville has stolen her heart. “Louisville is a city that connects. A lot of cities are welcoming, but Louisville connects in ways I’ve never seen. It’s a city where people do what they say.” Because college is as much about activating yourself in a community as it is about career and success building, Kenworthy urges, “If you see me around town or at a community event, please say hello. We want to be a catalyst. We don’t just want to be here. We want to be a part of the change that is downtown redevelopment and adapt to its needs.” 

Stay tuned for some big school spirit color splashes coming Spalding’s way!