 Amber Snell, chair of the Education Professional Standards Board, speaks to members of the board. Photo by Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education, Oct. 21, 2025
(FRANKFORT, KY) – Members of the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) heard about the educator preparation programs at Lindsey Wilson University during the EPSB meeting on Oct. 21.
Lindsey Wilson University had been known as Lindsey Wilson College until July, when board members of the college decided to update the name, citing the need to better reflect what the school offers.
Jennifer Antoniotti-Neal, director of education at Lindsey Wilson University, said the mission of the university is still the same.
“We are committed to every student, every day,” she said.
Antoniotti-Neal highlighted the university’s educator preparation programs and the students within it. She also shared recent accomplishments for the university’s education programs, including receiving the 2025 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, also known as CAEP, which is a national body that accredits educator preparation providers.
“I think anybody that has been in education, especially elementary education, just wants those gold stars,” Antoniotti-Neal said, referring to her past experience as a 3rd grade teacher. “When I set out to lead this team through (the accreditation process) with our partners here, we wanted that gold star, and we got it.”
Eastern Kentucky University also received the 2025 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement award, which goes to providers that submitted a comprehensive body of evidence, demonstrated positive data trends and had no stipulations or areas for improvement marked against them.
“This is a rare feat, and to have two in Kentucky is truly an honor,” said Kentucky Department of Education Associate Commissioner Meredith Brewer.
Lindsey Wilson University has 4,147 students as of fall 2024, which was a record enrollment for the school. Antoniotti-Neal said the university has a small-school atmosphere, making it ideal for personalized instruction.
“I know every one of my students in every one of my programs by name,” she said. “I know their face, and I know some of their personal issues where they need support.”
Lindsey Wilson University does not require a minimum ACT score for admission, and Antoniotti-Neal said the university draws a lot of first-generation college students. The university also has a relatively large international population with students from more than 40 countries.
“We come in with a very interesting group of students that we have to meet where they are,” she said.
Antoniotti-Neal said because the university is so small, staff members are able to keep up with graduates as they enter the teaching profession. These strong relationships with school and district partners help provide positive support to graduates throughout their education career.
“I think being such a small institution really plays well for us because even though it's a heavy lift, we do know everything that's going on,” she said. “We have strong relationships with our schools and our districts because of that. They know us. We’re in there all the time.”
And for three of the last four years, 100% of Lindsey Wilson University graduates passed the Praxis teacher certification exam. In the other year, 2022-2023, 97% of graduates passed the Praxis.
“And this is all due to the collaborative efforts of our team,” Antoniotti-Neal said.
Antoniotti-Neal also highlighted the university’s efforts to bolster literacy and numeracy instruction, including a renewed focus on structured literacy in the curriculum and revamped class offerings to meet new requirements.
In other business, EPSB members:
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