Jyler Donovan

Jyler Donovan is a social work professional and educator whose work focuses on leadership development and experiential learning. His career spans youth development, national service, outdoor education, and higher education administration, with a consistent emphasis on fostering growth through relationship centered and strengths based approaches.

Jyler began his professional path with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Classes XX and XXI, completing more than 3,800 hours of national service across the western United States. As both a Corps Member and Field Team Leader, he supervised teams engaged in environmental stewardship, construction, education, and community-based projects, developing a strong foundation in collaborative leadership and service.

Following his time in NCCC, Donovan worked for years as an experiential educator and program administrator across multiple states, managing challenge course operations, facilitating social emotional learning programs, and leading outdoor education and youth development initiatives. He also delivered trainings for nonprofit organizations and educators focused on small group facilitation and leadership.

Donovan has worked in practicum education at UK since January of 2023. His role is concerned with supporting partnerships between social work students, community agencies, and UK thorough managing partnership agreement processes, data, and student placement processes.

He is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Kentucky and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies and Pan African Studies from the University of Louisville.