Jeff Spradling is the assistant director of the University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research. He came to UK in 2002. He holds a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s in English from Morehead State University. Jeff is a native and resident of eastern Kentucky and is interested in community and youth development in the region. He currently serves on the board of directors at the Challenger Learning Center in Hazard, Ky. His personal interests include gardening, camping, and writing. He is married to Pam Spradling, and they have three daughters: Katie, Emily, and Anna.