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Kentucky State University has named Dr. Scott Wicker as the interim associate provost for academic affairs, effective January 9.  

Wicker is an associate professor of chemistry and former interim chair of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (SoSTEM) at Kentucky State University. He is a recognized expert in inorganic chemistry and science policy and an innovative facilitator for leading highly productive teams.

Wicker's professional development and leadership performance portfolios include an at-large board member for the Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS), Center for the Advancement of STEM Leadership (CASL) Fellow, National Academy of Science (NAS) Jefferson Science Fellow, consultant for the U.S. Department of State, former president of the Kentucky Chapter of the American Physiological Society, current regional vice president of Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honor Society, and a committee member on the Envisioning the Future of NSF EPSCoR. In addition, he works collaboratively with stakeholders to advance broadening STEM participation and opportunities for African Americans, especially males, by promoting STEM literacy, STEM education, and STEM identity in research, career readiness, and entrepreneurship opportunities in our scientific enterprise. 

Wicker currently facilitates general and inorganic chemistry courses at Kentucky State. His teaching effectiveness philosophy focuses on providing a psychologically safe learning environment for students to demonstrate their post-secondary-level competencies. In addition, Wicker's research philosophy includes an interest in low-temperature synthesis methods for metal oxides used in energy storage devices, global policy impact on e-cycling solar panels, and developing opportunities for student hands-on training. He has also published two book chapters and nine peer-reviewed journal articles and contributed to two congressional reports.  

A native of Zachary, Louisiana, Wicker earned honors distinction with his Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology from Grambling State University, a doctorate in environmental toxicology, and a post-doctoral researcher in environmental chemistry from Southern University and A & M College.