Lexington, KY – University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) Dean Jay Miller has announced that Dr. ZaDonna M. Slay will serve as the Acting Director of Undergraduate Studies – BASW, effective August 16.  

A native of Savannah, Georgia, Dr. Slay is a 2005 cum laude graduate and President’s Second Mile Award recipient of Savannah State University where she earned her Bachelor’s of Social Work. In 2006, she graduated from the University of South Carolina where she obtained her Master’s in Social Work. Dr. Slay received her Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Barbara W. Shank Endowed Scholarship in Social Work by the University of St. Thomas School of Social Work in 2018.  

In addition to her academic accomplishments, Slay brings a wealth of professional practice experience to her new role. Slay has served as the Executive Director of Savannah/Chatham CASA and Executive Director/CEO of the West Broad Street YMCA. In addition, she has served in administrative capacities at Youth Futures Authority and the Southeast Region for Amerigroup Community Care, among others.  

“As a College, we are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Slay stepping into this role,” said Miller. “Her commitment to undergraduate education, in general, and student populations, more specifically, will great benefit our programs and I look forward to working with her in the year to come.”