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Kentucky State University recently welcomed a new associate vice president for career and professional development.

Daryl K. Love, a longtime employee at Valvoline, began in the new role July 1.

“I am truly here because of the students,” Love said. “As an HBCU graduate, I experienced firsthand the transformative power an institution that’s focused on its students can make.”

Love graduated from Lane College with a bachelor’s in math and computer science. At Lane, Love said in addition to what he learned in the classroom, he was surrounded by nurturing individuals that invested their time to help him with his personal development.

Those who helped him at Lane understood the post-graduation world he would face and wanted to make sure he was prepared to have a smooth transition upon graduation.

“In my role, I will seek to do the same for the students at Kentucky State by working to provide them with exciting opportunities for professional and personal development, along with connections to various industries and employers,” Love said.

Love said while he’s only been on campus a short time, he’s impressed with the students, faculty and staff he’s met so far.

“I’ve met some extremely talented students who have a hunger and desire to succeed,” Love said.

Prior to joining Kentucky State, Love worked for Valvoline, which separated from Ashland Inc. in 2016, for 28 years. Love spent the last two-and-a-half years working for Valvoline as their manager of community relations.

Love also held the titles of manager of community relations and employee engagement, vice president of equal opportunity finance, manager of global benefits planning and international HR services, international compensation and benefits specialist, senior compensation specialist, systems engineer and computer analyst and systems analyst at Ashland Inc.

In addition to his bachelor’s at Lane, Love earned an MBA at Midway University.

Love serves as a member of the Fayette County School Board and the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Board. Love previously served as board chair of Hospice of the Bluegrass, as a board member of Commerce Lexington, United Way of the Bluegrass, Partnership for Successful Schools and the Governor’s School for the Arts Advisory Council. Love is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and an active member of Main Street Baptist Church in Lexington.

“I look forward to working in a collaborative manner with all Kentucky State stakeholders – both internal and external – to help continue Kentucky State’s rich tradition of sending out strong, well-prepared Thorobreds to run their race of success,” Love said.