Mayor Appoints Dr. Ursula Mullins To Lead Louisville Metro Youth Detention Services

Mayor Greg Fischer today announced that he has appointed Dr. Ursula Mullins to be director of Louisville Metro Youth Detention Services.

Mullins moves to Youth Detention Services after serving as an innovation project manager for the city’s Office of Performance Improvement & Innovation. She also previously held the role of performance coach, using data and performance improvement methods to help city departments better serve residents.

“Dr. Mullins has proven to be a valuable member of the Louisville Metro team, and this new role will allow her to use her extensive skills and commendable sense of compassion for the benefit of young people, in Youth Detention Services,” Mayor Greg Fischer said.

Mullins said: “It is an honor to be part of the hardworking Youth Detention Services team where my passion for the most vulnerable in our community will be paired with my background in developmental psychology. I look forward to continuing the mission of this agency and serving our city.”

Youth Detention Services is a structured detention facility that supervises pre-adjudicated youth in secure detention. Along with a 96-bed facility for people ages 12-17, YDS also provides community-based services, monitoring of Home Incarceration/Home Supervision, and a 12-bed Alternative Placement, non-secure facility for lower-level offenders.

“Dr. Mullins is a brilliant resident of west Louisville who will bring her background in psychology, along with a genuine care and love for the development of young people, into the center,” said Yvette Gentry, chief of Community Building for the city. “Her presence will help to inspire and cultivate the potential leaders currently restrained by their circumstances and choices.”

During her time in Metro, Mullins has been responsible for leading teams in the development of strategic planning, performance management, and continuous improvement efforts on matters ranging from parks to public safety.

Mullins is an active community member serving as co-founder of ReNewed Hope AA Recovery Group, Charter President and Sponsor of Metro Motivators Toastmasters Club, member of Family & Children’s Place Board of Directors and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. She also is a graduate of Leadership Louisville’s Focus Louisville program.

Mullins earned a bachelor’s degree of science from Tennessee State University, and a master’s of science and Ph.D in Developmental Psychology from University of Kentucky. As a proponent of lifelong learning, she has also earned professional certifications and is a practitioner of Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Balanced Scorecard Professional, and Predictive Index Analyst.

She assumes leadership of Youth Detention Services in early February.