Dr. Laura Stephenson serves as Dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Vice President of Land-Grant Engagement at the University of Kentucky. 

Prior to this role, Dr. Stephenson served as Associate Dean and Director of the Cooperative Extension Service and Associate Vice President of Land-Grant Engagement. Her extensive career in Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service included positions as County Agent, District Director, and Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension Field Programs. Additionally, she served as Associate Dean and Department Chair for FCS Extension at the University of Tennessee. 

Dr. Stephenson holds a B.S. and M.A. in Vocational Education from Eastern Kentucky University and a Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Kentucky. Her professional work has focused on the development of food systems and nutritional education.

She has dedicated her career to addressing community needs by leveraging research-based expertise from faculty and extension agents. Dr. Stephenson values partnerships with commodity groups, local leaders and statewide stakeholders.

Her commitment to the college’s three mission areas—teaching, research, and Extension—is unwavering. Dr. Stephenson’s vision focuses on strengthening Kentucky’s agriculture, economy, and health by educating future leaders, fostering innovation through cutting-edge research, and expanding outreach efforts to create a meaningful and lasting impact on communities across the Commonwealth and beyond.