Ronald Hustedde has a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   He has three Master’s degrees in the fields of community development, agricultural and community economics and rural sociology.  His undergraduate degree is in journalism.  He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Central America and in the U.S. Army as a non-commissioned infantry officer.  

Dr. Hustedde joined the University of Kentucky faculty in 1990.  He is an Extension professor in the Department of Community and Leadership Development with a joint appointment in the Sociology Department.  Dr. Hustedde’s specialty areas include rural economic development, leadership development, public issues education, strategic planning and public conflict analysis and resolution.  His book chapters, peer reviewed articles and other publications are about venture capital markets, leadership, community development theory and practice, community economic analysis, learning communities, and public conflict resolution.  Dr. Hustedde is the past president of the Community Development Society.

He is the recipient of the 2007 National Award for Excellence in Extension from the National Association of Public Universities and Land Grant Colleges for his “cutting-edge programming in public issues education, conflict resolution and rural entrepreneurship.”  He received a 2007 “Excellence in Extension and Public Service” award from the Rural Sociological Society.  Over the past four years, he has received $2.1 million in external grants to direct  the Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute.