Dr. Jerel Benton currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Provost (2019) and Interim Associate Vice President for Student Success (2021). Jerel received his Doctor of Education from Eastern Kentucky University, Master of Arts in Adult and Higher Education for Morehead State University, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Kentucky University. His previous roles include Sr. Diversity Officer, University of Wisconsin – Superior; Associate Director of University Assessment and Testing; Morehead State University; and Minority Retention Coordinator, Morehead State University. He is married to Gabrielle Benton and has three daughters Ayden, Alyssa, and Amari.