LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2022) – The Office of Philanthropy is the fundraising arm of the University of Kentucky. Charged with furthering the university’s mission and vision, the philanthropy staff works with faculty, students, programs, colleges and administration to identify the university’s top priorities. Then, it connects the university to the people, corporations and foundations who can make their dreams a reality. In 2018, the university launched the $2.1 billion ‘Kentucky Can’ campaign to tackle these challenges by improving opportunities for student success, funding innovative research, improving healthcare for all Kentuckians, strengthening our alumni network and supporting our athletics programs. The fundraising campaign is the largest in the history of the Commonwealth, and is designed to create thousands of scholarships to expand access to education at the University of Kentucky and to dramatically accelerate UK’s efforts to solve the Commonwealth’s most challenging health and economic issues. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ Tom Harris, UK’s Vice-President for university relations discusses the need for philanthropy at UK, the current state of the Kentucky Can campaign and its potential impact, the importance of alumni and friends of the university to philanthropic efforts, and more. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of “Behind the Blue, “ email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu  or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 2, 2022) – Sometimes being first in something comes with its own unique set of challenges. Take, for example, the journey of being a first generation college student, meaning neither of your parents earned a Bachelor’s degree, regardless of siblings and other relatives. In many cases, first gen students face psychological, academic, financial, and social strains that other students don’t, and are statistically at-risk to leave college within the first three years. At UK, nearly 1 in 4 incoming freshmen and 1 in 3 transfer students are first-generation college students. First-Generation Student Services supports first-generation students at the University of Kentucky from recruitment to graduation through research-based programs, resources, best practices, and campus-wide advocacy about the needs of students who are the first in their families to go to college. Advisors advocate for first-generation students within their colleges and collaborate with other campus offices to provide the best resources to promote the success of first-generation students at UK. As Associate Director of Student Transitions and Family Programs, Martina Martin oversees current programming and new initiatives for first-generation and off-campus students. In addition to her work with first-generation and off-campus students, Martina is a member of NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education (KABHE). She is also involved with the Graduate and Professional School Showcase and Jamal Mashburn Scholarship Committee. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Martin talks about the challenges some first-gen students face, the resources available to them, the special bonds peer mentors build that help lead these students to success, and more. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of “Behind the Blue, “ email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu  or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 22, 2022) – The TRACS (Triage, Referral, Assistance and Crisis Support) hub is a physical and virtual one-stop shop where students can come for a quick referral to support services or receive direct clinical support for a range of mental health needs, basic needs and crises. The process is simple: if you are a student with a mental health or wellness question, or a staff/faculty member assisting a student, you can show up in-person (third floor, east wing of the Gatton Student Center), call 859-21TRACS (859-218-7227) or fill out this form for assistance. This will allow students to connect with a team member — removing barriers to entry and aligning all mental health and well-being services across campus. Here’s more details on how it works: The TRACS Hub is primarily located in the new student support space on the third floor of the east wing in the Gatton Student Center. It is staffed with new positions — experts in case management and with clinical backgrounds — who can quickly assess a student’s needs and make the appropriate referral. Services are offered in-person and virtually — with expanded hours (8 a.m.- 5 p.m.) to assure quick access. Paige Greene, the new Director of the TRACS Hub, talks on this episode of Behind the Blue about her first few months as director, how holidays and other non-school factors can contribute to stress, anxiety and depression, the importance of mental health resources for members of marginalized communities, and more. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of “Behind the Blue, “ email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu  or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. For more information on how you can access resources, visit the Student Success website.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 18, 2022) – On Tuesday, November 8th, Kentuckians joined their fellow Americans at the voting booth for the 2022 mid-term elections. Federal, state, and local offices were on the ballot, along with a multitude of state constitutional amendments. On a federal level, the election resulted in a divided government heading into 2023, as Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2019, while Democrats retained their Senate majority. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ associate professors Dr. Emily Beaulieu Bacchus, who specializes in comparative politics, and Dr. Stephen Voss, who specializes in voting behavior and political methodology, join us to discuss the impact of these elections on a local, state, and national level. They offer insight on factors that may have swung elections from one side to the other, the shakeups in party leadership for both parties, how this year sets the stage for the 2024 elections, and more. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of “Behind the Blue, “ email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu (mail to: BehindTheBlue@uky.edu) or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 4, 2022) – For UK Associate Director of Recruitment Clayton Abernathy, the year-round job of academic recruitment goes hand-in-hand with a lifelong love of the University of Kentucky. Originally from Crescent Springs, Ky, Abernathy graduated in 2016 from UK with a degree in broadcast journalism and political science. He notes that his time on campus also involved serving as president of Theta Chi fraternity, morale coordinator of DanceBlue, and news director of student-run WRFL 88.1-FM, and that his involvement in campus organizations helped him grow as a student, person, and leader. As a recruiter, he covers Kentucky resident recruitment in Bullitt, Oldham, and Spencer counties, along with Michigan and Wisconsin. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Abernathy talks about what recruiters do and how they help potential students and their families, advice for students navigating the challenge of choosing a college or university, important deadlines coming up for potential Wildcats, and more. ‘Behind the Blue’ is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 27, 2022) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION. Primary elections in Kentucky and across the country are only weeks away and this fall promises hotly contested mid-term contests, with control of the Congress in play for Democrats and Republicans. At the same time, states across the country – including Kentucky – are engaged in redistricting of federal and state legislative districts as required every 10 years following the national census. UK Political Science Professor Stephen Voss has a distinct and deep perspective on all of these issues. Recently, he provided expert testimony as part of litigation over Kentucky’s legislative redistricting. He also has provided his insights on the effectiveness of messaging and ads appearing already in the race for mayor in Louisville. In this episode of Behind the Blue, Voss discusses all of these issues as well as the national and state political landscape during a tumultuous period in Kentucky and across America. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 20, 2022) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION. In his first job with the Department of History at Florida Atlantic University, Derrick E. White says he wanted to “lean into the local” with his approach to teaching. It was a learning experience for both himself and his students, and an approach he continued with his second school, Dartmouth, which he says posed a different challenge because fewer students are local to the area. White is now a full professor of history and African American and Africana Studies at the University of Kentucky. A native of Lexington, he has a wealth of local history with a personal connection, as he focuses on modern Black history, sports history and intellectual history. Most recently, he is the author of Blood, Sweat, & Tears: Jack Gaither, Florida A&M, and the history of Black College Football. Professor White also is the co-host of The Black Athlete podcast, which discusses the history of the Black athlete in a contemporary conversation and context. In this edition of Behind the Blue, Professor White talks about his scholarship, how it informs his teaching and his upcoming projects that focus on the intersection of race and sports against the backdrop of a famous Kentucky basketball team, not called the University of Kentucky. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 13, 2022) – Homecoming at the University of Kentucky is a week full of opportunities for students and alumni to continue the tradition of what it means to be a Wildcat. This year, UK celebrates its 107th Homecoming week. The UK Alumni Association, Student Organizations and Activities, Black Student Union, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Student Activities Board, the Office for Student Success and many other groups have been working hard to make Homecoming week a special time in the lives of students, alumni and all who participate. The UK Alumni Association will also welcome the Golden Wildcats from the Class of 1972 for a variety of 50th reunion activities. A full list of Golden Wildcat Society reunion activities and registration information can be found on the UK Alumni Association’s website. From Oct. 10-14, there are events for all members of the UK community leading up to the Homecoming football game against Mississippi State University on Saturday, Oct. 15. The Lyman T. Johnson Awards Luncheon, DanceBlue Silent Auction, and National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show are just a few of the annual events that lead into Homecoming weekend, a special tradition on UK’s campus since 1915. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK Alumni Association Executive Director Jill Smith and this year’s Alumni Association President Antoine Huffman, highlight some of the events of Homecoming week, the overall mission and worldwide reach of the Alumni Association, how students and alumni can get involved, and more. ‘Behind the Blue’ is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 6, 2022) – The Trauma Program Office is part of the UK HealthCare Trauma/Surgical Services service line. The team provides the day-to-day administrative operations for maintaining the UK HealthCare Chandler Hospital Adult Level I Trauma Center and the Kentucky Children’s Hospital Pediatric Level I Trauma Center. The program office operates in accordance with the specifications of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) national standards and criteria of the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient. Its mission, vision and goals are focused on using UK HealthCare resources to promote excellence in trauma patient care for our Adult and Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Centers. Amie Peel and Baillie McCane both work in the UK Trauma Program Office, Peel as a Trauma Education Coordinator, and McCane as a Trauma Outreach Coordinator. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, they both talk about trauma preparedness, trauma care and injury prevention programs offered by their office, and some key tips on what people can do to be prepared for trauma care situations. ‘Behind the Blue’ is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 29, 2022) – A collaboration between Kentucky Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center brings together the expertise of Kentucky’s top hospital and one of the country’s best children’s hospitals to create one of the top pediatric heart programs in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. Entering its fifth year, the innovative Kentucky Children’s Hospital Joint Heart Program follows the one-program, two-sites model, which means pediatric cardiology experts and a team of pediatric heart surgeons at Kentucky Children’s Hospital benefits from the support of other pediatric heart specialists at Cincinnati Children’s to provide a full spectrum of children’s cardiology services. This collaboration provides Kentucky families with the reassurance of knowing they have access to exceptional heart treatment for children close to home. Dr. Carl Backer is chief of pediatric cardiac surgery and director of the Joint Pediatric Heart Care Program. Dr. Backer joins KCH from the Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, where he served as the surgical director of the pediatric heart transplant program and the A.C. Buehler Professor of Surgery since 2001. He has been an attending surgeon in the division of cardiovascular-thoracic surgery since 1988, and served as head of that division from 2008 to 2018. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Backer talks about the state of the program on its fifth anniversary, the importance of the program for the people of Kentucky, and more. ‘Behind the Blue’ is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 21, 2022) – UK Invests is a first-of-its-kind initiative announced recently by the University of Kentucky. It is a wellness effort, anchored by financial education. The premise: provide access to every student on the UK campus with a low-risk investment account. UK will match investments that students make, in small increments, for participating in healthy behaviors – such as going to the gym, conducting a wellness visit or participating in a student organization. The idea is that micro-investments can have a macro impact. Further, according to UK Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Dr. Eric Monday, UK Invests underscores the idea that there is tremendous long-term potential and value in a University of Kentucky degree – so much that the institution should start investing in that promise now, long before students graduate. Monday, along with a team of UK administrators and staff, have been working on UK Invests for several months and will be rolling it out to the entire campus community over the next several months, starting this September with UK’s nearly 600 student athletes. In this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ Monday discusses the initiative – its goals and how it fits into a holistic approach to student wellness. ‘Behind the Blue’ is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 15, 2022) – As the Vice Dean of Research for the UK College of Medicine, Dr. Rebecca Dutch oversees research for the College, from basic areas to clinical applications. Dutch also serves as a member of UK’s START team, an interdisciplinary group of UK HealthCare physicians and clinical and research leaders at UK, that continues to develop strategies to ensure safe and healthy operations on campus. Now, at the beginning of the university’s fall 2022 semester, Dr. Dutch returns to the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast to discuss where our community stands in regards to coronavirus, the upcoming flu season, monkeypox outbreaks, and more. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 8, 2022) – Part of the mission of the University of Kentucky’s College of Communication and Information is to teach students how to communicate effectively, obtain and evaluate information, and to create, produce and disseminate effective communication messages. Implementing that mission into their careers, many of the college’s graduates are doing important work in their area of study that often takes them across the globe. Ashley Westerman is one such graduate. A 2010 journalism major from western Kentucky, she has lived out her dream of working in public radio. Currently, she is a producer for National Public Radio (NPR) based in Kiev, Ukraine, where she and her team cover the current war there, and the stories of the Ukrainian people living day-to-day in uncertainty. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Westerman talks about growing up in Kentucky and the importance of attending the University of Kentucky, how her career path took her from Washington, DC to southeast Asia and eventually Ukraine, and how her mentors and teachers at UK prepared her for the unpredictable path her career as a journalist has led her on. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 2, 2022) – Comprised of more than four hundred professional staff and faculty across more than two dozen units, the University of Kentucky Office for Student Success is committed to engaging students from the time of early college outreach to graduation and beyond. With programs ranging from the Center for Academic Resources and Enrichment Service (CARES), the Center for Support and Intervention, Campus Recreation, the Disability Resource Center, the Stuckert Career Center, Violence Intervention and Prevention, the Office of LGBTQ* Resources, University Admissions and beyond, the Office for Student Success facilitates a broad range of programs and resources designed to assist with student development and well-being in some of the most critical areas of the university experience. Dr. Kirsten Turner is UK’s Vice President for Student Success and chief student affairs officer. A leader with a long tenure at the University of Kentucky, she transitioned to her current position after serving in multiple associate provost roles and as an architect of the institution’s strategies to improve retention and graduation rates. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Turner talks about the overall goals for the Office for Student Success, the challenges in scaling services to match ever-growing enrollment numbers, new services like Integrated Success Coaches that assist students in all areas of wellness and more. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. sTo discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 25, 2022) – Welcoming its largest freshman class in history, the University of Kentucky begins its fall 2022 semester. As the Commonwealth’s flagship and land-grant research university continues to see exponential growth, Dr. Eli Capilouto begins his 12th year overseeing the mission of teaching, research, service and health care. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Capilouto sits down for a conversation about the upcoming fall semester, what he admires most about UK students, his hopes for this record-setting incoming class, and what it means to see faculty, staff, students and alumni seeking out ways to assist the state in times of crisis. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 28, 2022) – Historically, studies have shown that Black individuals are less likely to seek and accept mental health care due to concerns regarding stigma as well as mistrust of professionals caused by documented racial inequities in treatment. In Lexington, the Black population represents approximately 15% of residents, but in 2020, Black people represented only 7% of the population receiving community mental health services in Kentucky’s Bluegrass region. The Neighborhood Healers Project, a new pilot project led by University of Kentucky researchers, aims to reduce this equity gap by addressing the stigma and helping Black Lexingtonians access the mental health services they need. Candice Hargons, Ph.D., the study’s principal investigator (PI) says the five-year project, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will create a support system of “first-responders” within Lexington’s Black community who are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health crises and connect people to needed resources. Hargons, a licensed psychologist and associate professor in the UK College of Education’s Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, appears on this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ to discuss how this project will impact the Lexington community and beyond. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 7, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been 307 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Since working at the Center for Applied Energy Research in the mid-1980s, John "Jack" Groppo, of the UK College of Engineering, has focused on mineral processing work which began with fine coal that had not been recovered because the technology didn’t exist. Today, processing fine coal is common practice. Groppo is a professor and director of undergraduate studies in mining engineering. He is the co-creator of the sustainable campus electronics recycling program at UK. He is the developer of the Center for Applied Energy Research “Energy 101” education outreach for local underserved elementary schools providing energy education with hands-on demonstrations. He is the faculty advisor for the UK Society of Mining Engineers Student Chapter. Groppo earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mining and mineral engineering from Virginia Tech and his doctorate in mining engineering from the University of Kentucky. His research interests include mineral processing, surface chemistry, power generation, and industrial and coal utilization by-product recycling. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 30, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been 307 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Cortney Lollar, a James and Mary Lassiter Professor of Law from the UK Rosenberg College of Law, teaches and researches in the areas of criminal law, criminal procedure, remedies, race, gender, sexuality and social science. Prior to joining the UK faculty in 2013, Lollar was a clinical faculty fellow at Washington University in St. Louis. She previously represented adult and juvenile defendants at the trial and appellate level at the Federal Defender Program in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. Lollar received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and her doctorate from New York University School of Law, where she was editor-in-chief of the Review of Law and Social Change. Her work has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court as well as other federal and state courts. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 23, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been 307 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Beth Rous, from the UK College of Education, has spent her career working to advance knowledge on how people design and lead complex human service systems. She believes that all children have a right to high quality educational experiences and has generated more than $98 million in grants and contracts to help realize this vision. A professor in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies, Rous teaches courses in research methods. She earned her bachelor’s degree in learning disabilities, moderate disabilities and elementary education from Morehead State University; her master’s in special education: interdisciplinary early childhood education; and her doctorate in instruction and administration from the University of Kentucky. Rous serves as a research and policy associate at the Human Development Institute, serving as the founding director for the Kentucky Partnership for Early Childhood Services from 1996-2017. She is a technical advisor/consultant for the U.S. Department of Education and Health and Human Services. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 21, 2022) – The Office of LGBTQ* Resources is the University of Kentucky's central hub for accessing information, groups and services related to diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Located in the Dinkle Mas Suite in the Gatton Student Center, the resource center is a campus-wide office that works to make sure that our community is a welcoming, safe and supportive place for all students, faculty, staff and alumni. On May 9th, 2022, J’Lissabeth Faughn (she, her, hers) assumed the role of director of UK’s Office of LGBTQ* Resources, a part of the Office for Student Success. An experienced leader with a passion for social justice and student development, Faughn brings a rich history of advocacy and community building from similar roles in California, Iowa and Missouri. She holds a graduate degree in higher education and social justice from Iowa State University and an undergraduate degree from Murray State University. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Faughn talks about how her journey of providing support to students led her to the University of Kentucky, her plans to continue the Resource Center’s legacy of creating a safe, open environment for all, and more. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 17, 2022) – The Loop is UK HealthCare’s internal communication network for health care employees, which includes articles, videos, podcasts and other multimedia to keep staff “in the loop” on what’s new at UK HealthCare. The Loop provides information on current events and workplace matters, as well as highlighting the work of the people who keep UK HealthCare running. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, we’re featuring a podcast interview that was recently released on The Loop featuring Dr. Tukea Talbert, Chief Diversity Officer at UK HealthCare. Juneteenth is recognized as the day that marked slavery’s end in the United States. Also referred to as The Day of Jubilee, Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate freedom, but also to recognize the role slavery has played in the development of our nation and its systems. In this interview, Talbert led colleagues Timothy Gaillard, VP for Ambulatory and Medical Group Operations at UK HealthCare and Dr. Darwin Conwell, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at UK HealthCare, through a discussion about the importance of the Juneteenth holiday, both in and out of the health care realm. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 16, 2022) – On January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the ‘Emancipation Proclamation’, but it wasn’t until June 19th, 1865 that the last remaining enslaved African Americans – men and women in Galveston, Texas – learned they were free. Since that time, June 19th, or “Juneteenth”, has been celebrated annually in various parts of the United States to commemorate emancipation as well as celebrate African-American culture. Still, it took until June 17th of 2021 for the day to be recognized as a federal holiday, after becoming more widely celebrated among African-American communities and gaining more and more mainstream attention in the US. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Anastasia Curwood, director of The Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies and African American and Africana Studies (AAAS) at UK, discusses the Juneteenth holiday, from her personal feelings and reflections on the significance of the day, to the importance of observance of the holiday by the university, and more. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. For more information about CIBS, including ways you can support, visit https://cibs.as.uky.edu/. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 14, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been over 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Olivia Davis, from the Gatton College of Business and Economics, joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky in January 2018. She was in public accounting with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in the assurance practice before joining UK. As a CPA with nearly 14 years of experience, Davis brings a wealth of practical experience to her classroom. She invites her students to go beyond just the technical accounting and auditing concepts by sharing real-world, current scenarios with them. Davis serves as the faculty advisor for the UK Student Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants and she is a professional member of NABA. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s in accounting from UK. Davis was awarded the Gatton College Teaching Excellence Award in 2020, the 2021 Gatton College Faculty of the Year (student selected) and the 2021 University of Kentucky Provost’s Award for Outstanding Teaching. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 9, 2022) – Dr. Eric N. Monday is UK’s executive vice president for finance and administration. One of his responsibilities in that role is to oversee the development and implementation of the university’s annual budget. In a few days, the UK Board of Trustees will consider a $5.6 billion budget for 2022-2023. It is the largest budget in the history of the university – fueled by continued growth in the university’s health care enterprise and research missions as well as what is expected to be the largest first-year class ever at UK. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Monday explains how the budget is shaped, some of the areas of emphasis for the budget and how it is helping move the institution’s mission forward – to advance Kentucky. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 7, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been 307 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Zachary Bray, from the Rosenberg College of Law, is a James and Mary Lassiter Professor of Law at the Rosenberg College of Law. A Lexington native and graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Yale Law School, Bray worked at the University of Houston Law Center before coming to UK as a visiting assistant professor in 2015. He was promoted to full professor in 2020. At the University of Houston, he was recognized with a university-wide Provost’s Teaching Excellence Award. Bray’s research focuses on monument law, private land trusts, low-income housing, the Endangered Species Act, groundwater conflicts and religious land use. Bray has taught as a visitor at the Washington University School of Law and The College of William & Mary Law School. He has taught undergraduate students considering law school in the Kentucky Legal Education Opportunity Summer Institute and the University of Houston Law Center Pre-Law Pipeline Program.   "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 2, 2022) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the 2022 Great Teacher Award winners. Beth Barnes, from the UK College of Communication and Information, is a professor and the director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication. She leads the international studies programs for the college and represents it on the university’s International Advisory Council. She has taught in Cape Town, South Africa and London, England. Her specialty areas include international education, media audience measurement, curriculum development and non-profit strategic communication. She worked in both advertising and public relations prior to teaching. Barnes teaches the introductory course in the ISC major as well as courses in account management, public relations and sales promotion, and sponsorship. For 13 years she was director of the School of Journalism and Telecommunications. Barnes earned her bachelor’s degree from The College of William & Mary and her master’s in advertising and her doctorate in communication studies from Northwestern University. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 26, 2022) – On Tuesday, May 31st the World Health Organization (WHO) will observe ‘World No Tobacco Day’. The purpose of this yearly celebration is to provide information to the public regarding the dangers of tobacco use, as well as shine a light on the business practices of tobacco companies, what the WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people can do for themselves and their families to live a healthier, tobacco-free lifestyle. Dr. Ellen Hahn is a Professor in the Colleges of Nursing and Public Health at the University of Kentucky and Director of BREATHE (Bridging Research Efforts and Advocacy Toward Healthy Environments), a multi-disciplinary research, outreach, and practice collaborative of the College of Nursing and its partners. BREATHE’s vision is that all people will have access to clean air and live in healthy environments. With over 80 organizational community partners, BREATHE is a clearinghouse for information, research and analysis, and policy development, as well as community education and outreach related to smoke- and tobacco-free policies, tobacco health disparities, electronic smoking devices, tobacco prevention and treatment, and radon reduction. These programs include the Tobacco Policy Research Program, the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy (KCSP), and the Radon Policy Research Program. Dr. Hahn also serves as Director of UK-CARES (Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences). On this episode of Behind the Blue, Hahn talks about the significance of World No Tobacco Day, the work of the BREATHE collaborative, how it’s never too late for communities and their members to go smoke-free, and more. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 18, 2022) – The University of Kentucky is proud to be the home of global leaders in aging and brain research, all striving towards the same goal: finding a stop to the 6th leading cause of death in the United States: Alzheimer’s Disease. UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has been around for nearly half a century, helping lead the way in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Center Director Dr. Linda Van Eldik firmly believes they will find a cure through the work going on right here on the UK campus. With their dedicated work recently earning the center renewed funding from the National Institute on Aging, education and community support are big parts of the role Sanders-Brown plays. In between various trainings, workshops and community events, they are also making life-changing and life-saving discoveries. Soon, Van Eldik and others at Sanders-Brown will be able to welcome a very valuable piece to their research – the volunteers – into a brand new facility at UK HealthCare’s Turfland Campus. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Van Eldik joins UKPR’s Hillary Smith to discuss the larger game plan of finding a cure, and the team effort between those volunteers, the world-class faculty and staff at Sanders-Brown, and the University of Kentucky as a whole. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 12, 2022) – Every year, the University of Kentucky celebrates thousands of graduating individuals who receive degrees and make their way into the workforce and the world. For many of these graduates, leaving the world of the university brings a whole new set of challenges as they ask themselves, “what’s next?” Being prepared to live on their own, finding success in a new job, reaching out to new support networks and more can be a daunting set of obstacles for those departing UK. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, two members of UK’s Office of Student Success talk about tips on facing the future as a UK alum, and also what current students can do during their college career to make the most of their time here and be ready to confidently move on after graduation. Kayla Gill is a Senior Program Advisor with Off-Campus Student Services. A native of Lexington, Kayla serves as an advocate and advisor with first year students residing off-campus and first-generation students living on and off campus. She works to implement diversity and inclusion program initiatives for marginalized students as well as foster a sense of belonging for students. Originally from Michigan, Mark Williams works as a Senior Program Specialist with UK’s Community & Professional Development Programs. Williams spent time after college working as an accountant in both public accounting and insurance firms, but realized his passion was serving students and helping them transition from college into their careers. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 4, 2022) — This spring, the University of Kentucky is celebrating more than 5,300 degrees conferred by the Board of Trustees, with around 3,900 expected to cross the stage of Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center during the UK Commencement Ceremonies. On this episode of "Behind the Blue," we spotlight three of those graduates to talk about their time at UK, the memories they’ll take with them and how they’re prepared to move ahead and make the most of what they’ve learned. Growing up, Emily Lucke’s father spent time in Iraq as a member of the U.S. military, and sent home newspapers and other material written in Arabic that fascinated the Clarksville, Tennessee native. Upon arrival at UK, Lucke was able to turn that fascination into a career path, majoring in both political science and international studies, and becoming a member of the Lewis Honors College. Equipped with a foreign language component in Arabic, she completed an internship at the U.S. Homeland Security- Kentucky Intelligence Fusion Center. There, she translated and examined terrorism propaganda and threats to critical infrastructure, and collaborated on key intelligence questions posed by terrorism. Lucke is proud of the personal and academic growth she experienced at UK, along with leadership and project management skills that she feels will take her far in her career. She believes it’s important for students to take advantage of counseling and other self-care resources the university provides in order to make the most of their time here and experience college to its fullest potential. Breona Link is a UK superstar and her light shines bright among her peers. The Bowling Green, Kentucky native calls her four years at UK the best of her life. Link made it her mission to get involved as much as possible during college to make the most of her education. She is the president of the UK Student Activities Board, the former president of the UK NAACP, director of MLK Wildcats for Service, a UK 101 peer instructor and held an internship with Charles Booker for Senate. Link encourages any new student to dive in and try everything. It will open doors you could have never dreamed possible. She will graduate from the College of Health Sciences' Clinical Leadership and Management program. Balancing an excellent academic standing while conducting high quality research, Alison Porter has soared through her veterinary science master’s program in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, with determination and tenacity. The Oil Springs, Kentucky native is eager to return to her Eastern Kentucky roots and be a force for good, ready to serve the underserved population and community where she was raised. As a physician, Porter will fulfill a great need. With her well-rounded science background and acceptance into the UK College of Medicine, she will be well equipped to serve these rural communities and individuals without access to top-rate medical care in their local areas. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 28, 2022) – University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto is finishing his 11th year at the helm of the state’s flagship, land-grant institution of higher learning. This academic year, the university finalized and has begun to implement its next Strategic Plan: The UK Purpose. One of the key principles of that plan is about how the institution works to “take care of its people.” In this episode of Behind the Blue, Capilouto discusses in more detail how UK is working to act on that principle with a proposed budget that reflects University priorities, the hopefulness and enthusiasm that comes from spring graduates entering the Kentucky workforce, as well as how a second year has gone in grappling with a global pandemic. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 21, 2022) – Primary elections in Kentucky and across the country are only weeks away and this fall promises hotly contested mid-term contests, with control of the Congress in play for Democrats and Republicans. At the same time, states across the country – including Kentucky – are engaged in redistricting of federal and state legislative districts as required every 10 years following the national census. UK Political Science Professor Stephen Voss has a distinct and deep perspective on all of these issues. Recently, he provided expert testimony as part of litigation over Kentucky’s legislative redistricting. He also has provided his insights on the effectiveness of messaging and ads appearing already in the race for mayor in Louisville. In this episode of Behind the Blue, Voss discusses all of these issues as well as the national and state political landscape during a tumultuous period in Kentucky and across America. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 14, 2022) – Walking across campus is one of John Thelin’s favorite aspects of working at the University of Kentucky for one reason. He loves running into his colleagues and former students. It’s that community that he says he will miss the most as his time at UK draws to a close. Thelin, a university research professor in the College of Education's Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation department, is set to retire after 43 years in higher education - 26 of those spent at UK. A regarded authority on the history of higher education and public policy, Thelin’s recent book “Essential Documents in the History of Higher Education,” 2nd edition, made Forbes’ list of Best Higher Education Books of 2021. In this episode of Behind the Blue, Thelin sits down with two of his former students, Amy Jones-Timoney and Jay Blanton, to recount his time at UK and discuss the future of higher education – both on this campus – and at colleges and universities across the country. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 7, 2022) – Few moments change the course of history. The Scopes Trial – where teaching evolution in schools became a national debate – is one of those moments. And it has a very distinct and profound connection to the University of Kentucky. John Scopes, the young school teacher in Dayton, Tenn. who was being prosecuted for teaching evolution in the schools, was a graduate of the University of Kentucky. He had been deeply influenced by teachers at UK and the university’s third president, from 1917 to 1940, Franklin LeRond McVey. Prior to the Scopes Trial, McVey was one of the leaders of an effort in Kentucky to block legislation that proposed to prohibit the teaching of evolution in the schools. McVey’s powerful rhetoric and political skills prevailed as the legislation was narrowly defeated. The movement then moved to Tennessee, setting the stage for one of the most important trials and debates of 20th Century America. Erik Reece is a professor of English at the University of Kentucky and the author of several books of non-fiction, along with poetry and magazine articles in leading national publications. He is working on a book-length treatment and examination of the Scopes Trial, its Kentucky connections and its meaning for us today. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Reece discusses this project, the writing process, his influences, the importance of Kentucky in American letters and writing and how teaching informs his work."Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 31, 2022) – In his first job with the Department of History at Florida Atlantic University, Derrick E. White says he wanted to “lean into the local” with his approach to teaching. It was a learning experience for both himself and his students, and an approach he continued with his second school, Dartmouth, which he says posed a different challenge because fewer students are local to the area. White is now a full professor of history and African American and Africana Studies at the University of Kentucky. A native of Lexington, he has a wealth of local history with a personal connection, as he focuses on modern Black history, sports history and intellectual history. Most recently, he is the author of Blood, Sweat, & Tears: Jack Gaither, Florida A&M, and the history of Black College Football. Professor White also is the co-host of The Black Athlete podcast, which discusses the history of the Black athlete in a contemporary conversation and context. In this edition of Behind the Blue, Professor White talks about his scholarship, how it informs his teaching and his upcoming projects that focus on the intersection of race and sports against the backdrop of a famous Kentucky basketball team, not called the University of Kentucky. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 24, 2022) – Throughout March for Women’s History Month, the University of Kentucky is spotlighting Women Making History. These women are leading their fields of research, crossing traditional academic boundaries, and impacting Kentucky’s most pressing challenges including opioid use disorder treatment, aging and Alzheimer’s, water and air filtration, environmental impacts on health and suicide prevention. They are mentoring the next generation of women scientists and scholars, curating stories and creating artworks illuminating who we are. Their work and voices shape the University of Kentucky. The “Women Making History” series continues with this episode of Behind the Blue featuring Deirdre Scaggs, associate dean of UK’s Special Collections Research Center and director of the Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center. Scaggs takes us back in time to describe what life was like for women throughout the history of the University of Kentucky – from its infancy until today. You’ll be introduced to the many female leaders who pushed boundaries in their work as students, faculty members and administrators. Scaggs recently collaborated with UK Libraries senior oral historian Terry Birdwhistell on the book “Our Rightful Place: A History of Women at the University of Kentucky, 1880-1945.” “Our Rightful Place” was published by the University Press of Kentucky in July 2020.. Through yearbooks, photographs and other materials housed in Special Collections, the work explores the struggle for gender equity in higher education by examining UK’s first women undergraduates, faculty and administrators. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 10, 2022) – Websites, videos, photographs, and brochures give future Wildcats a good sense of what life is like at the University of Kentucky. But there’s just something about being ‘on’ campus that helps prospective students decide that UK is the right fit for them. That’s why the campus visit is so important to Grace Johnson, director of the UK Visitor Center. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Johnson talks about how the campus visit process works, the talented students who serve as tour guides and the work that goes into making sure campus is a welcoming place for every visitor to our campus. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 1, 2022) – Some of the toughest environmental challenges we face are matters of filtration. Whether it’s capturing pollutants to purify drinking water or removing contaminants and viruses to filter air, at the University of Kentucky, chemical engineers are finding solutions to these problems. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Isabel Escobar, professor of Chemical Engineering in the UK College of Engineering and National Governing Board Chair of the Association for Women In Science, leads a discussion with her female chemical engineering team. Escobar and two of her students will share what it’s really like to be a woman in STEM research, the reality of balancing work and family, and advice for choosing the right mentor. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 24, 2022) – DanceBlue is a University of Kentucky student-run organization that fundraises year-round and culminates in a 24-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon. The money raised through DanceBlue is donated to the Golden Matrix Fund, established to support the kids of the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic both today and well into the future through an endowment. The Golden Matrix Fund was created to benefit the clinic’s patients and families, by providing care and support for the kids through giving them and their families comfort. DanceBlue funds also support the year-long fundraising engine and operations that underpin the mission, as well as providing funds to support research at the UK Markey Cancer Center. Through more than 15 years of DanceBlue, more than $18 million has been raised to support this cause. On this episode of Behind the Blue, DanceBlue Overall Chair Nick Joseph and Marketing Chair Jennifer Derk talk about their personal experiences with DanceBlue, the impact they see the event has on the UK community, and more. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 17, 2022) – In 2009, Dr. Mark Evers came to Kentucky to serve as the director of the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center with one overarching goal in mind: to reduce the significant burden of cancer in our state. Thirteen years into his tenure, the UK Markey Cancer Center has grown into a robust cancer program that U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks as one of the top 50 in the country. Since becoming a National Cancer Institute-designated center in 2013, Markey’s research funding and patient volumes have increased substantially – so much, in fact, that the cancer center has outgrown the buildings it has called home for the past four decades. In this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Evers takes us through some of the most important milestones and accomplishments of the Markey team during his time at UK, and discusses plans for Markey’s future – including a new outpatient facility that will enhance the patient care experience.ko "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 10, 2022) – In the fall of 2020, the University of Kentucky announced plans to establish a proposed Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies (CIBS) – a multidisciplinary program designed to highlight UK’s growing research around issues of race and racism. The interdisciplinary institute establishes research clusters across the campus and promotes the university’s growing research and scholarship on topics of importance in African history and African American history, such as slavery and the quest for freedom, racial discrimination and violence, and the long struggle for civil rights. This year, the university has announced continued annual funding of $200,000 through UK’s Office for Institutional Diversity – an important step forward in helping the institute achieve its goals. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Anastasia Curwood, director of CIBS and African American and Africana Studies (AAAS) at UK, talks about the continued mission of the institute, the connections that present day issues have to Black studies, a student body hungry for this kind of information, and more. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. For more information about CIBS, including ways you can support, visit https://cibs.as.uky.edu/. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 3, 2022) – For Kayli Bolton, adversity in life became a driving force during high school. The Corbin, Kentucky native says it was her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis during her sophomore year that influenced her choice of studies in college, along with an interest in biomedical sciences research. Since the beginning of her freshman year at UK, Bolton has been active in undergraduate research working in Professor Matthew Gentry’s laboratory in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry in the UK College of Medicine. She has had the opportunity to participate in several metabolomics projects concerning glycogen storage diseases in Gentry’s Lab and describes her experience as a crucial launching point for her continued research in graduate school and her career. One of UK's three 2021-22 Goldwater Scholars, Bolton is also part of the Markey STRONG Scholars Program. Now a junior majoring in biology in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, Bolton is also a member of the Lewis Honors College. In addition to her other accolades, Bolton was announced as one of 2021’s 60 recipients to be awarded a scholarship of up to $15,000 from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF). The ASF Scholarship is presented annually to outstanding college students majoring in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). A nonprofit organization, ASF was established by the Mercury Astronauts in 1984. Its goal is to aid the U.S. in retaining its world leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships for exceptional college students pursuing degrees in these fields. Since that time, astronauts from the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs have joined in this educational endeavor. UK students have earned a total of $216,000 from the ASF since 1998. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards assists current UK undergraduate and graduate students and recent alumni in applying for external scholarships and fellowships funded by sources (such as a nongovernment foundation or government agency) outside the university. These awards honor exceptional students across the nation. Students who are interested in these opportunities are encouraged to begin work with the office, housed in the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence, well in advance of the scholarship deadline. Staff is available for in-person and virtual appointments to discuss opportunities for the 2021-2022 academic year and beyond. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 27, 2022) – When University of Kentucky alum Elle Smith was crowned Miss USA in November, her life changed in an instant. With her name catapulted into the national spotlight, Smith quickly learned the power of the Miss USA title and platform, and the importance of capitalizing on every open door. During her year of reign as Miss USA, Smith will work with the National Cervical Cancer Coalition to educate women about cervical cancer prevention and treatment in an effort to empower women to seek preventative care. She ultimately chose this platform in honor of her late grandmother, who passed away from the disease in 2015. As Smith prepares for her year of advocacy ahead, she spoke with experts from the UK Markey Cancer Center about the importance of education and awareness surrounding cervical cancer, including preventative screenings and immunization. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Smith is joined by Dr. Rachel Miller, a Markey gynecologic oncologist; and Dr. Pamela Hull, the associate director of Population Science and Community Impact with Markey. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 20, 2022) – Living in a global pandemic has been something everyone has had to adjust to. One of the areas that many people had been previously unaware of, but have now become more educated about, has been public Health. In 2004, the University of Kentucky established the College of Public Health to develop transformative solutions to health challenges through teaching, research and service efforts. The College takes a serious approach to public health responsibility for all communities and individuals in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. Residing in a state that is at the epicenter in some of our most major public health challenges, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, the College of Public Health is made up of six main departments: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, the Graduate Center for Gerontology, Health Management & Policy, Preventive Medicine & Environmental Health, and Health, Behavior & Society..all dedicated to transforming and assisting in the creation of a healthier community, state and world – for everyone. Since 2016, Donna Arnett has been Dean of the UK College of Public Health, and says we can see public health in every aspect of our lives. Arnett always knew she wanted to work in health care, and during her career fell in love with research, specifically epidemiology. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Arnett talks about the hard work the College of Public Health has done during the pandemic in service to both students and community, as well as the promise and potential that comes from working in a state with such dramatic disparities in health. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. For more information regarding the UK College of Public Health, click here. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 13, 2022) – Monday, January 17, 2022 marks the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a US Federal holiday that honors the birth, life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and is also the only national holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage Americans to volunteer for opportunities to improve their communities in a variety of ways. Here in Lexington, this year’s celebration will include a Freedom March and a virtual program directly following, featuring special guest US Senator Raphael Warnock. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Dr. King’s Beloved Community 2022: Facing A Time of Reckoning in An Age of Denial.” On this episode of Behind the Blue, two members of the Lexington-Fayette MLK Holiday Celebration Committee discuss with UK Strategic Communications staff the work that has gone into planning this year’s event. Kendriana Price, assistant director of diversity for the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment talks with Meg Mills and Jenny Wells-Hosley, and Jay Alexander, the programming and music director for WBTF-FM in Lexington, speaks with Steve Shaffer and Ryan Girves. If you’re interested in more information regarding the Lexington-Fayette Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday Program, visit uky.edu/mlk. The parade will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 17th, with lineup beginning at 9 a.m. at the Lexington Central Bank Center in Exhibit Hall C. The program following the Freedom March will now be VIRTUAL ONLY, beginning at noon on YouTube. You can watch the stream live by clicking here. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 12, 2022) – This week marks the start of the first full week of classes for the University of Kentucky campus. As we begin this Spring 2022 semester, ‘Behind the Blue’ sat down with UK President Eli Capilouto to reflect upon the obstacles and triumphs the UK Family experienced in 2021 and to look ahead to the opportunities and excitement that lies ahead in this new year. Listen to learn more about how our campus is once again responding to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and why Capilouto is so proud of this community. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 6, 2022) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION. Each year, the University of Kentucky Disability Resource Center, or DRC, partners with qualified students with a wide range of disabilities to assist them in gaining equal access to institutional programs and services consistent with their unique needs. The Center seeks to responsibly advocate the needs of students with disabilities to the campus community through consultation and outreach efforts with administration, faculty, students and university partners. David Beach is the director of the Disability Resource Center (DRC), housed in the Office for Student Success. Starting this October the DRC is working with UKNow on a series titled “Many People, Creating One Accessible Community,” which focuses on raising awareness surrounding the DRC, accessibility and how each of us on campus can help UK be a more accessible place for all. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Beach discusses the often unseen or unknown challenges students with disabilities often face while accessing campus facilities, how students can access the resources of the DRC, and what this new series means to the campus community as a whole. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 30, 2021) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION. While some stress in our life can be useful in encouraging personal growth, constant long term exposure to mental stress can be detrimental to health. Introducing additional major stress from events like midterm exams can not only cause minor issues like headaches or trouble sleeping, it can also have long term impacts on the body. Throughout the year, two areas in the University of Kentucky’s Office of Student Success work to support students with programs and resources for the benefit of both mental and physical wellness. The UK Counseling Center works with students in areas ranging from mental health and academic counseling to crisis and emergency assistance. From club sports and intramurals to fitness, dining and healthy sleep programs and beyond, Campus Recreation and Wellness works to provide quality recreation and wellness programs and services for the campus community that support student success and promote healthy lifestyles. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK Senior Courtney Cavallo recently sat down with Dr. Megan Marks, Assistant Director of the UK Counseling Center, and Ron Lee, Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness, to discuss wellness during midterms, the trends they see with students this time of year, the resources that are available to students year-round and more. This interview originally appeared as a University of Kentucky Facebook Live event. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. For information about UK Counseling, visit uky.edu/counselingcenter. For more information regarding programs and resources from Campus Recreation and Wellness, visit uky.edu/recwell. For more information about WellKentucky, please visit wellkentucky.uky.edu. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 23, 2021) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION. Within UK’s role as Kentucky's flagship, land grant university, the University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) unites clinicians, researchers, and communities to accelerate the translation of basic science discoveries to tangible improvements in health. Since 2006, the CCTS has focused on addressing chronic health disparities in rural and underserved populations throughout the Commonwealth and the Central Appalachian region. They work closely with institutional and community partners to collaboratively identify local challenges and opportunities to improve wellbeing. On this episode of Behind the Blue, CCTS Director Dr. Philip A. Kern talks about the vast amount of work the Center supports. Since his recruitment to UK in 2009, Dr. Kern has been continuously funded for both his own NIH-funded research program as well as his leadership of the CCTS. He has also served as a mentor, colleague, and collaborator on numerous other projects. In addition, he continues to provide clinical and educational services within the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center and Division of Endocrinology. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 16, 2021) – The UK HealthCare Transplant Center has a history of success and second chances. Since 1964 when they performed the first kidney transplant in Kentucky, the Transplant Center has emerged as one of the top hospitals in the country for a variety of organ transplants. The Center also has a number of locations across the Commonwealth where patients can undergo screening, have their pre- and post-transplant follow appointments, and meet regularly with their providers while still staying close to home. Dr. Meera Gupta is a transplant surgeon and clinician-scientist at the UK HealthCare Transplant Center. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Gupta talks about her time at the Center, the benefit for patients and their families to have these surgeries done right here in Kentucky, the milestones and future outlook for the Center, and more. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 9, 2021) – As the University of Kentucky nears the end of the Fall 2021 semester, COVID-19 infection rates have once again started to rise across the state. Now, a new variant, Omicron, creates new set of challenges for the Commonwealth, country and world. As the Vice Dean of Research for the UK College of Medicine, Dr. Rebecca Dutch oversees research for the College, from basic areas to clinical applications. Dutch also serves as a member of UK’s START team, an interdisciplinary group of UK HealthCare physicians and clinical and research leaders at UK, that continues to develop strategies to ensure safe and healthy operations on campus. Dr. Dutch returns to the ‘Behind the Blue’ podcast this week to discuss UK’s current state of play in handling the coronavirus pandemic. She joins UKPR’s Kody Kiser and UK Chief Communications Officer Jay Blanton to again share her thoughts on a wide range of pandemic topics, including the Omicron variant, what it means for testing and vaccines, best practices for the University community, and more. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 2, 2021) – Research at the University of Kentucky is a $468 million enterprise that touches every part of the university community. Scientists and scholars come from around the world to teach, discover and lead in fields that cross all of UK’s colleges, programs and library system. Dr. Lisa Cassis has served as the University of Kentucky's Vice President for Research since June 2015. As head of the university’s research enterprise, she oversaw creation of the $265 million Healthy Kentucky Research Building, which is home to researchers focusing on Kentucky’s most pressing health challenges: cancer, diabetes and obesity, cardiovascular diseases and substance use disorder. As a professor and researcher in the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences in the UK College of Medicine, Dr. Cassis has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 30 years. She is principal investigator on several multi-million-dollar federal grants, including serving as program director of an $11.3 million NIH grant that supports the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) focusing on obesity and cardiovascular diseases. She is an expert on the renin-angiotensin system, which her research has shown to be a link between obesity and hypertension. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Cassis is joined by Alicia Gregory, UK’s Director of Research Communications, for a conversation that touches on the impact of UK's Healthy Kentucky Research Building, UK's "trifecta" of NIH research designations that power our infrastructure, and UK's work to take discoveries into communities across the Commonwealth. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 25, 2021) – This week in the United States we celebrate the national holiday of Thanksgiving.  Once again, we thought it would be a good time to take stock of the things we may have in our lives to be thankful for. On this episode of Behind the Blue, we spent some time this week in both the Gatton Student Center on campus, as well as via Zoom, talking with students and staff about being back in an in-person setting on campus, the people in their lives they’re grateful for, and also learning about some of their favorite Thanksgiving foods and traditions. Enjoy this short episode, and we hope that you might also have an opportunity to reflect on things you’re thankful for, as well as traditions that are unique and special for you and yours. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 18, 2021) – The University of Kentucky Recycling program has set sustainability goals for campus designed to significantly reduce the University’s waste. In an effort to reach those goals, the program strives to offer a comprehensive recycling program, outstanding service and interactive education. Despite some of the complications from the pandemic, the program has continued to make exciting progress towards their sustainability goals throughout 2020 and 2021, including expansion of the food waste composting program to coffee shops on campus, an increase of collection spots for yard/green waste by grounds, recycling concrete from sidewalk repairs on campus, and the development of online resources for faculty, staff and students. Esther Moberly came to the University in 2015, starting as the recycling coordinator. In 2017, Moberly stepped into a new role as the Waste, Recycling and Trucking Manager for the University, where she oversees operations of the Waste Management and Recycling departments for UK. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Moberly talks about the responsibilities of her department, from the collection, removal and proper disposal of all the University’s municipal solid waste, to the implementation of plans to significantly reduce that waste through recycling, reduction and reuse programs on campus. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. “The Kentucky Wildcast”, the UK Staff Senate podcast, is also available on your favorite podcast platforms. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 11, 2021) – Established in 2002, the University of Kentucky Staff Senate is the official representative body of the staff of the University. Beyond representing the interests of staff in conversations and decision making with university administration, the Staff Senate works to strengthen relationships and empower all university employees and students to participate in the decision-making process. Staff Senate is behind special events such as the Outstanding Staff Awards, UK Appreciation Day, Conversation with the President, UK Remembers, and more. The Senate consists of 133 Senators across 5 sectors, with 13 standing committees that address issues such as Community Outreach, Employee Engagement, Benefits and Professional Development On this episode of Behind the Blue, UK Staff Senate Chair Olivia Ellis talks about her involvement with Staff Senate, what compelled her to advocate for others, and programs such as the Lunch and Learn series, mentorship programs, and crisis relief efforts for fellow UK staff. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. “The Kentucky Wildcast”, the UK Staff Senate podcast, is also available on your favorite podcast platforms. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 4, 2021) – The University of Kentucky is proud to be the home of global leaders in aging and brain research, all striving towards the same goal: finding a stop to the 6th leading cause of death in the United States: Alzheimer’s Disease. UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has been around for nearly half a century, helping lead the way in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Center Director Dr. Linda Van Eldik firmly believes they will find a cure through the work going on right here on the UK campus. With their dedicated work recently earning the center renewed funding from the National Institute on Aging, education and community support are big parts of the role Sanders-Brown plays. In between various trainings, workshops and community events, they are also making life-changing and life-saving discoveries. Soon, Van Eldik and others at Sanders-Brown will be able to welcome a very valuable piece to their research – the volunteers – into a brand new facility at UK HealthCare’s Turfland Campus. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Van Eldik joins UKPR’s Hillary Smith to discuss the larger game plan of finding a cure, and the team effort between those volunteers, the world-class faculty and staff at Sanders-Brown, and the University of Kentucky as a whole. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 28, 2021) – The University of Kentucky is once again accepting new Wildcats, this time for the Fall 2022 semester. As high school students and families prepare to embark upon the college journey, and transfer students consider becoming part of the Big Blue Nation, the decisions they face can become daunting at times. Deadlines, degree paths, even whether or not college is the right choice at all, the University of Kentucky Office of Enrollment Management serves to assist students in making many of these decisions that will shape their future. Christine Harper serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Success and Chief Enrollment Officer for the University. With over 20 years of higher education experience in areas of enrollment management and student affairs, Harper brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Enrollment Management team. Currently, Harper leads the offices of undergraduate admissions, student financial aid and scholarships, new student orientation, first year experience, and parent and family association. On this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Harper discusses her role at the university and shares the knowledge she has gained in that role to help students and their families have the best college search experience possible. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 21, 2021) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION. If, in recent memory, you’ve attended a University of Kentucky football game at Kroger Field you will, no doubt, be familiar with the guest on this episode of ‘Behind the Blue.’ In fact, if you’ve listened to ‘Behind the Blue’ over the past several years, you’ve heard the voice of Carl Nathe, as he’s interviewed many people who have put their hard work and effort into making the university work. A native of Pleasantville, New York, Nathe is a graduate of the University of Maryland – College Park. He’s been at UK for over 30 years, since 1989, and has been the voice of Kroger Field since 1997. A former sports reporter and anchor at WLEX-TV in Lexington, Nathe also served as sideline reporter for selected statewide and regional live telecasts of UK Women’s basketball games. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, the spotlight is turned around for a rare interview with Nathe about the end of his UK career, the inspirations that guided him along the way, and the moments and memories he’ll take with him. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 14, 2021) – While some stress in our life can be useful in encouraging personal growth, constant long term exposure to mental stress can be detrimental to health. Introducing additional major stress from events like midterm exams can not only cause minor issues like headaches or trouble sleeping, it can also have long term impacts on the body. Throughout the year, two areas in the University of Kentucky’s Office of Student Success work to support students with programs and resources for the benefit of both mental and physical wellness.   The UK Counseling Center works with students in areas ranging from mental health and academic counseling to crisis and emergency assistance. From club sports and intramurals to fitness, dining and healthy sleep programs and beyond, Campus Recreation and Wellness works to provide quality recreation and wellness programs and services for the campus community that support student success and promote healthy lifestyles. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK Senior Courtney Cavallo recently sat down with Dr. Megan Marks, Assistant Director of the UK Counseling Center, and Ron Lee, Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness, to discuss wellness during midterms, the trends they see with students this time of year, the resources that are available to students year-round and more. This interview originally appeared as a University of Kentucky Facebook Live event. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. For information about UK Counseling, visit uky.edu/counselingcenter. For more information regarding programs and resources from Campus Recreation and Wellness, visit uky.edu/recwell. For more information about WellKentucky, please visit wellkentucky.uky.edu. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 7, 2021) – Each year, the University of Kentucky Disability Resource Center, or DRC, partners with qualified students with a wide range of disabilities to assist them in gaining equal access to institutional programs and services consistent with their unique needs. The Center seeks to responsibly advocate the needs of students with disabilities to the campus community through consultation and outreach efforts with administration, faculty, students and university partners. David Beach is the director of the Disability Resource Center (DRC), housed in the Office for Student Success. Starting this October the DRC is working with UKNow on a series titled “Many People, Creating One Accessible Community,” which focuses on raising awareness surrounding the DRC, accessibility and how each of us on campus can help UK be a more accessible place for all. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Beach discusses the often unseen or unknown challenges students with disabilities often face while accessing campus facilities, how students can access the resources of the DRC, and what this new series means to the campus community as a whole. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 30, 2021) – Discussed as early as 1957, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association was established along with the construction of the Helen G. King Alumni House in 1963. The Hall pays tribute to those UK alumni who have distinguished themselves and their alma mater through their contribution to the welfare of the commonwealth and nation in arts, sciences, business, industry, engineering, journalism, politics, military science, religion, agriculture, labor or other fields of endeavor. The original selection of inductees of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association Hall of Distinguished Alumni included 85 in 1963. Two years later in 1965, 39 inductees were chosen and the first official recognition ceremony of the members took place that year in conjunction with the university’s Centennial Anniversary. On this episode of Behind the Blue, two individuals with unique connections to the Hall talk about its impact on the Commonwealth, the country and the world. Taunya Phillips is a past president of the UK Alumni Association board of directors. Currently, Phillips is the director of the Office of Technology Commercialization at the University of Kentucky where she oversees a team of 14 staff managing the University’s intellectual property, licensing and startup portfolios. Previously, she was the senior associate director of New Ventures & Alliances, where she was focused on overseeing key alliances for OTC and managing support and services for UK and Lexington entrepreneurs and startups. She has worked at UK since 1999, where her previous positions have been assistant vice president for Commercialization & Economic Development, chief financial officer for Kentucky Technology, Incorporated, College of Engineering lecturer, and Minority Engineering program director. Taunya has a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Kentucky. Charles Wethington, Jr. was named to the Hall of Distinguished Alumni on April 21, 1995. Dr. Wethington was elected the 10th president of the University of Kentucky September 18, 1990, serving in that role until June of 2001. He began his career in higher education in 1965 as an educational psychology instructor on the Lexington campus of the University and two years later was named Chief Administrator of Maysville Community College. In 1971, he moved to Lexington as Assistant Vice President, becoming Vice President of the Community College System in 1981. In the University reorganization of 1982, he was named Chancellor of the UK Community College System, one of the three major sectors of UK. In 1987, he was given university wide responsibilities for public and governmental relations in addition to his community college role, and his title was changed to Chancellor for the Community College System and University Relations. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 23, 2021) – UK’s Saha Cardiovascular Research Center recently held its annual Cardiovascular Research Day, an event that showcases innovative research in cardiovascular health. The event features prominent speakers in the field of cardiovascular health, and was the first in-person scientific conference in the field of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease in nearly two years. With 250 attendees from UK and nearly 40 other universities, the event featured a wide variety of research activity from scientists and researchers, from trainees to prominent senior scientists. This week’s episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ features the director of the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and chair of the UK Department of Physiology, Dr. Alan Daugherty. Dr. Daugherty is also the Gill Heart Foundation Chair of Preventive Cardiology. He serves as editor-in-chief of the American Heart Association’s Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB) journal, and his research focuses on molecular mechanisms of vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysms. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 16, 2021) – Making the transition to college can be an intimidating time not only for incoming undergraduate students, but also for families, as they seek to support their students from their earliest days on campus through graduation. Embracing a multidimensional concept of family and the diversity of family structures, including families of origin and families of choice, the UK Parent and Family Association invites parents, guardians, grandparents, spouses/partners, and any other supportive people in the lives of UK students to join for free. The Association strives to enhance student success by actively engaging parents and families as part of the larger university community through publications, programs, and services. Their goal is to offer the best way to stay informed, get connected and find support for families and their students. On this episode of Behind the Blue, two members from UK’s Office for Student Success talk about their work with these families and students. Nancy Stephens is the head of the New Student and Family Programs team, working with programs such as the K Week fall welcome week and the UK Parent and Family Association. Nicki Jenkins is the Senior Program Specialist for the Parent and Family Association, overseeing all day-to-day functions and coordinating events and programs. Together they discuss the Parent and Family Association and the work they do, including UK’s Family Weekend coming up this weekend, September 17-19th. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 9, 2021) – Telehealth, or the delivery of health care services through electronic communication, has been at the forefront of UK’s College of Health Sciences academics since 2015. Between lack of access to services in both rural and urban areas, and rising preferences to a virtual health care experience, the growth in telehealth and communications technology is forever altering the landscape of health care. Joneen Lowman, associate professor in the communication sciences and disorders program with the college, first began work with the Linking Kids to Speech Language Pathologists (LinKS) program, and is now at the helm of a new Graduate Certificate in Telehealth. The program is the first of its kind among health sciences colleges and is the only telehealth certificate available in the state of Kentucky. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Lowman talks about the growth of telehealth services and how this certificate program is assisting students meet the rising need for it in the Commonwealth and beyond. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 2, 2021) – Within UK’s role as Kentucky's flagship, land grant university, the University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) unites clinicians, researchers, and communities to accelerate the translation of basic science discoveries to tangible improvements in health. Since 2006, the CCTS has focused on addressing chronic health disparities in rural and underserved populations throughout the Commonwealth and the Central Appalachian region. They work closely with institutional and community partners to collaboratively identify local challenges and opportunities to improve wellbeing. On this episode of Behind the Blue, CCTS Director Dr. Philip A. Kern talks about the vast amount of work the Center supports. Since his recruitment to UK in 2009, Dr. Kern has been continuously funded for both his own NIH-funded research program as well as his leadership of the CCTS. He has also served as a mentor, colleague, and collaborator on numerous other projects. In addition, he continues to provide clinical and educational services within the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center and Division of Endocrinology. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 25, 2021) – A national leader with more than 25 years of experience at some of the country’s leading institutions has been selected as the University of Kentucky’s next vice president for institutional diversity. Katrice A. Albert, Ph.D., will begin her duties as vice president for institutional diversity on Sept. 27, according to an announcement from UK President Eli Capilouto. Highlights of Albert’s career in leading diversity and education efforts include: Serving as the top diversity officer and a senior executive at Louisiana State University and the University of Minnesota system as well as the NCAA, where she also led Human Resources. Authoring two volumes of work around issues of race, racial equity and mental health. She is the author of a forthcoming work on leadership in intercollegiate athletics. Serving on the editorial board of the Journal of Community Engagement. Albert also has been published in other academic journals related to psychology, counseling and development. Teaching graduate-level courses in multicultural counseling, the politics of race and gender, and serving as an adjunct faculty member in education at LSU. Consulting with some of the leading governmental, civic, religious, private, public and nonprofit sector institutions throughout the country on issues of diversity, development and strategy. Clients have included: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, American Red Cross, the Neiman Marcus Group and the Universities of Notre Dame, Nebraska, West Florida and Central Florida. On this edition of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK Chief Communications Officer Jay Blanton talks with Albert about what she’s looking forward to in joining UK, particularly at this moment, as the institution is engaged in a broad-based and expansive effort around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). You can read more about UK’s DEI efforts here: https://dei.uky.edu/. You can read Capilouto’s message to the campus about Albert here. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 19, 2021) – Dr. Eli Capilouto became the 12th President of the University of Kentucky on July 1, 2011. Under his leadership, the Commonwealth's flagship and land grant research university has grown from $2.7 billion to nearly $5.1 billion in total operations and has gained significant momentum in fulfilling its mission of teaching, research, service and health care. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Capilouto sits down for a conversation about the upcoming fall semester, the work to return to “normal” in the midst of the pandemic, UK’s Strategic Plan and how its implementation will guide the University into the future. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 12, 2021) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been 307 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting. Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years. A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted. This episode of Behind the Blue features part two of interviews with the 2021 winners of the Great Teacher Awards. On this episode, we’ll be talking with three of them: Christopher Crawford, from the College of Arts & Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chad Risko, representing the College of Arts & Sciences, Chemistry, and Kathleen Swan, representing the College of Education, Curriculum and Instruction. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.