ANNUAL REPORT 2024
NEW SPACE SERVES INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
GLOBALLY ENGAGED
INSPIRING INGENUITY
UKinSPIRE Creates International Research Opportunity for Faculty
GLOBAL FOOTPRINT
INTERNATIONAL SOS
UK Contracts with New Organization to Support International Travel
FIRST EXPLORERS
SUPPORTING FACULTY, LEADING THE WAY
SOLVING GLOBAL PROBLEMS
The Global Health Case Competition
UK ENGAGE
Grant Funds Research into Care for Refugees
GLOBAL UK
Our Strategic Plan
FROM THE ASSOCIATE PROVOST FOR INTERNATIONALIZATION
Colleagues and Friends,
This has been another truly exciting year for internationalization at the University of Kentucky, one that, as we reach its conclusion, has become defined for us by a focus on the future. Last year marked the start of several new programs. 2024, then, has been about continuing to grow and strengthen these, with one eye on the future.
This year marks the halfway point of our strategic plan, Global UK. That important milestone has caused introspection, a look back on what has been accomplished so far and what needs to be done in the remaining years of the strategic plan. It has also kickstarted conversations about how we move forward after Global UK. We are working within UKIC’s leadership team and with key campus partners and external experts to chart our path forward.
One program that has seen tremendous results this year is Explore First, the education abroad program designed exclusively for First-Generation students at UK. This program is close to our hearts, as it is not only a vital connector between education and employment but also one which opens doors to study abroad for students who are typically under-represented. After two years of this program, its impact is becoming evident. Retention and academic success of the student participants give early cause for celebration. We look forward to further enhancing this program and making a difference in the lives of our First-Generation students.
On the research front, UKinSPIRE, a collaboration between the International Center and the Office of the Vice President for Research, is yielding results and fascinating international research collaborations. We are now hearing success stories from the first cohort of faculty who were awarded funding, and this year the second cohort of UKinSPIRE fellows began their international projects.
Another major accomplishment this year has been the creation of a vibrant, welcoming and accessible space for our international students and for on campus organizations to meet and interact with support services. Our space in the lower level of the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library has been transitioned to a space dedicated to serving international students, with a lounge area where students are already a feeling at home, meeting, studying and socializing. The creation of this space has been a long-term goal of ours, and we have been thrilled to accomplish it this year.
Now, as we enter 2025, we look forward to continuing this important work and further internationalizing the University of Kentucky. Your collaboration is vital to our success, and we thank you for all of your support this past year.
Sue Roberts, PhD Associate Provost for Internationalization University of Kentucky
NEW FACES NEW
To provide the best possible service and create inviting spaces for international students at the University of Kentucky, the UK International Center has shifted its services for international students to the lower level of the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library. The space also includes an “international student hub” and innovative meeting spaces that are available to on campus groups and organizations.
“A key element of our strategic plan, Global UK, is to create welcoming spaces on our campus,” said Sue Roberts, associate provost for internationalization. “We had the incredible opportunity this semester to progress this goal by shifting our space in the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library, to focus on serving international students and creating an inviting space for our international students and all of campus.”
Staff in International Student and Scholar Services assist international students with immigration issues, processing form requests, transitioning to a new country and culture and plan events focused on bringing together international and domestic student populations. This new space allows these services to be further streamlined and helpful for students.
A hangout area inside the lobby has also been established. Students can meet, study or simply spend time together in the space. “Already, we’re seeing students take advantage of the new space,” said Elizabeth Leibach, executive director of International Student and Scholar Services. “It’s creating more interaction and connection between not just international students but also between them and domestic students.”
SPACES
Additionally, a multipurpose room in the new International Student Services space allows for a flexible and welcoming meeting space for on campus groups. The area has been used internally by the UK International Center, but now the area is open to other on campus groups to host meetings, conferences or other types of gatherings.
“We work so closely with so many campus partners and are always looking for new groups to partner with,” said Leibach. “The multipurpose room being widely available helps further connect us to groups of students seeking to explore international perspectives on campus. Sometimes, these kinds of things can lead to surprising collaborations. It’s also just wonderful to be able to share our new space with fellow faculty, staff and students.”
GLOBALLY ENGAGED
The WilDCats at the Capitol internship program provides students with a dynamic opportunity to gain real-world experience and apply classroom learning in a fast-paced, professional environment. Students spend 40 hours per week interning in selected office settings learning firsthand about career opportunities in politics, communications, issue advocacy and more.
The internship provides a valuable opportunity for international students to gain experience in a political system outside of their home country. It’s an opportunity that senior Camila Pimentel jumped at.
“As a political science major, I’m very interested in the United States’ government and how policy affects people,” she said. “Applying for the WilDCats at the Capitol program seemed like a no-brainer when I learned more about it.”
As an international student, the program presented a unique opportunity to learn about how the federal government functions as well as the culture of Washington D.C. Already an International Ambassador on campus and a member of the International Village LLP, Pimentel is a leader on campus, and the WilDCats at the Capitol program also provided another chance for her to gain valuable leadership skills.
Pimentel’s journey to the program began her junior year of high school, when she initially decided she wanted to study outside her home country of Brazil.
“Nobody in my small town really talked about studying abroad,” said Pimentel. “Sometimes it felt like I was just taking shots in the dark. But I was determined to go to college in the United States, and the support I received from the University of Kentucky, both financially and personally, made it an easy decision to pursue a degree here.”
Her journey to UK also marked the first time she had ever left her home country of Brazil. “Everything was new and challenging,” said Pimentel. “I was suddenly by myself on a plane to my new home, leaving home for the first time. It was all new.”
Looking back on her journey to UK, Pimentel sees the decision as pivotal to her future success. “I see it now as the best decision I have ever made,” she said. “It opened the door for so many opportunities in my academic journey.”
The WilDCats at the Capitol program proved one of those key academic opportunities. During the internship, she worked with the Council for State Governments (CSG), where she reviewed and interpreted legislation.
“It gave me a firsthand understanding of how policy is created and how it affects the lives of everyone,” said Pimentel. “It was an incredible opportunity to interpret legislation and create presentations on that legislation.”
For Pimentel, there were challenges to overcome related to her status as an international student, but she persevered with the knowledge that the skills gained from the internship would last her a lifetime.
“There were limitations related to my status and how many hours I could work as an international student,” she said. “But everyone involved, from the team at CSG to those at UK, were helpful to me in navigating those circumstances and ensuring I still came away from the experience with that knowledge and those skills.”
She spent any extra time she had exploring Washington D.C. and gaining a deeper understanding of the richness of U.S. culture.
Pimentel took the opportunity to think carefully about her future. The program helped her solidify her plans. “I was able to go on some graduate school tours during the internship, since I want to attend grad school after my time at UK,” she said. “I was also able to connect with UK alumni through the program. I would have lunch or just a meeting with people who live and work in Washington D.C. I was able to make those connections and hopefully get a head start on my future.
“I fell in love with the city. I hope to live there and go to graduate school after UK. That would be a dream come true.”
“I was able to make those connections and hopefully get a head start on my future.”
-Camila Pimentel
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & SCHOLAR SERVICES
1,349
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN FALL 2024
103
296 NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN FALL 2024
285 ALUMNI WORKING IN U.S. ON OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING from COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS & RESEARCH
UKINSPIRE CREATES INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR FACULTY
Launched in 2023, UKinSPIRE is designed to stimulate high-impact international research projects in any discipline. So far, several of these research projects are already yielding fascinating results.
Among the first cohort of UKinSPIRE fellows, Dr. Hugo Reyes-Centeno, an archaeologist and assistant professor in UK’s Department of Anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, returned from the Philippines this year having led a team of scholars, graduate and undergraduate students on an excavation project focused on confirming the timing of agricultural development in Southeast Asia.
James Keppeler, a doctoral student in UK’s Department of Anthropology who served as field director for the excavation project said, “Recent research has started to upend a lot of the modern hypotheses regarding agricultural development in Southeast Asia. This excavation was particularly exciting because we were in an area that hadn’t seen a lot of excavation, especially for these neolithic time periods. So there was a lot of potential.”
Dr. Reyes-Centeno has rich experience conducting research in the Philippines. UKinSPIRE funding served as the perfect opportunity to further that research along coastal regions of Surigao del Norte Province in the southern Philippines.
The team from UK collaborated with St. Paul University Surigao in the Philippines. With the excavation site also near an elementary school, the team from UK had the opportunity to share insights not only with scholars from SPUS but also with the local school children and their teachers.
“With this kind of project, you’re relying on the collaboration of the local population,” said Keppeler. “The scholars from SPUS were phenomenal to collaborate with. We worked together well and learned a lot from each other throughout the process.”
Sam Koontz, who graduated from UK in May 2024 with a bachelor of science in Anthropology, had the unique opportunity to accompany the team from UK as an undergraduate student.
Photography by Ryan Lucas Henderson
“It was a great opportunity to gain that little bit of research experience,” said Koontz. “Not only did I have the chance to gain insight from people like Dr. Reyes-Centeno and the other scholars working at the site, but I got to have that international experience. One of the most impactful parts of this experience was the camaraderie and teamwork necessary between all of us from UK but also between us and the students and scholars from the Philippines.”
Keppeler was recently awarded a $25,000 Wenner-Gren grant, which funds research that advances anthropological knowledge. He plans to return to the Philippines and continue this work with the award funding.
“With these funds, I’ll be doing three months of excavation specifically focused on ceramic remains and preserved plant seeds for traces of rice or other agricultural products,” said Keppeler. “I’m incredibly excited to continue this project and hopefully make further advances in this area.”
“Reyes-Centeno and his team leveraged the UKinSPIRE funding they received to do exactly what UKinSPIRE was designed to do,” said Tim Barnes, executive director of International Partnerships and Research in the UK International Center. “They developed a fruitful international collaboration, they directly engaged with researchers at a partner institution to leverage local expertise and they advanced international research.”
This past fall, the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) and the University of Kentucky International Center (UKIC) announced the second cohort of UKinSPIRE fellows.
The second year of the program saw a significant 135% increase in the number of UKinSPIRE proposals, representing a wide range of academic disciplines and research fields. An interdisciplinary review committee comprised faculty and administrative staff from nine colleges, UKIC and OVPR, provided recommendations to the Vice President for Research, Associate Provost for Internationalization and executive director of International Partnerships & Research.
Based on these recommendations, the following UKinSPIRE projects were selected for support which started July 1, 2024:
• “Data Sonification of Genome Profiles and Mutational Signatures in Human Cancers,” Luke H. Bradley (College of Medicine)
• “International Perspectives of Quality of Life & Community Well-Being: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Community & Domestic Violence,” Bryan Hains (Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment)
• “How the Governance of Standards and Geopolitics Shape Competition in the Global Economy,” Yujia He (Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce)
• “Inequality, Demography and Urban Sustainability at Chichén Itzá, Mexico,” Scott Hutson (College of Arts and Sciences)
INGENUITY
• “Advancing Neurophysiological Assessment of Brain Health in Aging Populations: A Collaborative Initiative between Chad and Kentucky,” Yang Jiang (College of Medicine)
• “Global Studio: Pedagogical Research for new approaches in Design and Fine Arts Education,” Jonathan McFadden (College of Fine Arts)
• “Teaching Manifestos: Embedding Values Across Creative Disciplines,” SK O’Brien (College of Design)
• “Fundamental Insights into Chemical Compounds with Critical Elements,” Dong-Sheng Yang (College of Arts and Sciences)
Congratulations to the 2nd cohort of UKinSPIRE fellows, whose research projects will further internationalize the University of Kentucky.
GLOBAL FOOTPRINT
The University of Kentucky’s Global Footprint is an interactive tool that brings to life all the ways UK is part of a global ecosytem of higher education and research. The Global Footprint helps users explore and assess UK’s global connections, quantifies UK’s impact around the world and enhances the university’s reputation as a globally connected institution. This open web-based tool includes visualizations of UK’s international engagement across research and publication, student, faculty and staff mobility, partnerships, awards and more. Designed to support strategic decisionmaking, it is a versatile resource that is useful in considering international opportunities at an individual, departmental, college or university level.
EXPLORE THE UK GLOBAL FOOTPRINT
Bibliometric data in the Global Footprint reveals that UK scholars have collaborated with researchers at 260 Brazilian institutions, resulting in over 500 coauthored publications over the past five years. Further, based on survey data, the Global Footprint shows 64 UK scholars who report Brazil as a significant research site. Although some anonymize their data, 48 scholars across 12 colleges are listed and linked to their Scholars@UK profiles, providing further details.
TAKE THE FACULTY/STAFF GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERTISE SURVEY
For example, the Global Footprint reveals that UK’s relationship with Brazil is multifaceted. It includes research collaborations, institutional partnerships and increasing numbers of Brazilian students on campus.
Staying with the Brazil example, the Footprint provides insights into research connections.
These data in the Global Footprint are updated through an ongoing survey, which faculty and staff are encouraged to complete. It only takes about 10 minutes and can be accessed through the QR code found on this page.
In addition to the wealth of information available to the general public via the Global Footprint website, more detailed data and insights are available to campus stakeholders. Special reports can be generated by the Global Footprint team upon request. For more information, contact UK’s Executive Director of International Partnerships and Research, Tim Barnes (tim.barnes@uky.edu).
264 PARTNERSHIPS 67 COUNTRIES
TAKING Care OF OUR PEOPLE
INTERNATIONAL SOS HELPS KEEP UK TRAVELERS SAFE AND
HEALTHY
The UK International Center and UK Risk Management worked together to develop a new partnership between the university and International SOS, which provides additional resources to support the health, safety and security of members of the UK community traveling internationally.
“International SOS is a leader in the international assistance space,” said Director of Global Risk & Strategic Operations Jason Hope. “From pre-travel briefings, to security analysis, to help finding medical care and using UK’s existing international insurance, they offer a wide range of resources to keep travelers safe and healthy. We hope this partnership will be another important tool in supporting the important international work of the UK community.”
International SOS offers a global infrastructure that gives all UK travelers the ability to:
• Speak to health and security experts for information and advice on health & security matters
• Call before you change location for free advice on how to stay safe and healthy while away from home
• Find a local nurse, internationally-trained doctor, mental health professional or security specialist wherever you are
• Arrange a TeleConsultation, as appropriate
• Find medication or medical equipment
• Provide advice on loss of travel documents or legal assistance
• Give assistance paying medical fees
In an emergency, International SOS can help by:
• Arranging medical transportation, hospitalization and care
• Monitoring your condition and providing advice along the way
• Evaluating you when necessary
• Contacting your family and colleagues as appropriate, so they know you are in good hands
Those travelling on UK-endorsed and business-related travel can also download the International SOS App, making it easy to connect and receive assistance if necessary.
“We’re excited to leverage International SOS to help our campus community stay safe and feel confident when traveling internationally,” said Hope. “Our goal here is to take care of our people, and this new tool is a positive step in that direction.”
DOWNLOAD THE APP BEFORE YOUR NEXT INTERNATIONAL UK BUSINESS TRIP
SFirst Explorers
tudying abroad is one of the most impactful experiences a student can have. Studies have shown that tangible benefits include higher grades, higher likelihood of staying the course and graduating on time and a greater chance of retention.
But some of the most important benefits are intangible. Students better understand their place in an ever global world, they gain real world experience and grow in confidence by stepping outside their comfort zone.
For First-Generation students at the University of Kentucky, attending college can already feel like a big step. UK’s Education Abroad and Exchanges aims to take those students one step further, helping them feel empowered and ready for any challenge ahead.
Through Explore First: Careers, Cultures and Connections, UK’s First-Generation students gain the confidence and learn the skills needed
to succeed. They truly step outside their usual routines and into a world full of possibilities.
“We designed this program for maximum impact,” said Niamh Larson, executive director of Education Abroad and Exchanges. “Every step of the way, the students are learning and gaining real-world knowledge and experience.”
On Explore First, students visit global employers, go on cultural excursions and learn to navigate a global city. It’s a big leap for students to take and, when they do, the impact is lasting.
For Carlos Castro, attending college felt like a distant dream. The son of immigrants from Mexico, his future was uncertain before attending the University of Kentucky.
“I didn’t even know if I wanted to go to college,” said Castro. “UK gave me the opportunity financially to make college a reality, so here I am.”
Explorers
For Castro, the Explore First experience, more than anything, left him empowered and confident. “My parents didn’t have the opportunity to go to college or to leave the country or have these experiences that I’ve been able to,” he said. “Having the opportunity to do this and navigate different situations…it’s left me feeling like I can do anything.”
On Explore First, students meet and connect with global employers in London and Dublin, including companies like Microsoft, LinkedIn, Alltech, Schneider Electric and Abbey Capital. By seeing a global workforce in action, they gain the skills necessary to navigate it and succeed. They also connect important dots and gain a better understanding of the importance of transdisciplinary skills and flexibility in the workplace.
“I’ve learned you don’t have to follow a straight path,” said Castro. “There is not just one option. My education at the University of Kentucky is preparing me for a career, but the skills can translate to a variety of different careers and
circumstances. The people in the companies we’ve met with have different kinds of degrees. All of these different people are working together to accomplish great things.”
Even though I am studying Psychology, I can do anything with it. I don’t just have to go into Psychology. I see now how I am gaining different skills that can translate to a wider variety of career options.”
At the University of Kentucky, 27% of undergraduate students identify as First-Gen. Traditionally, First-Gen students have lower rates of retention and graduation. Explore First is part of UK’s overall goal of helping these students succeed, graduate and go on to big and exciting things.
“The success we’re already seeing in terms of retention and graduation rates is incredibly exciting,” said Sue Roberts, associate provost for internationalization. “It’s still very early, but we’re hopeful that as this program continues and grows, we can keep these numbers up and continue to see success stories.”
“I know my path. This experience, it’s made my future clearer than ever.”
-Cassie Bell
One of those success stories is Cierra Couch, a graduate of the class of 2024. Part of the first cohort of Explore First students in 2023, the program ignited in her a passion for global social work.
“I had no idea about some of the cultural differences before going on Explore First,” said Couch. “It assured me that you really have to look at cultures individually and really study them intently if you plan on working with them.”
After graduating, Couch decided to pursue a masters degree in Social Work at Washington University. “I had no idea about the culture and history of Ireland before going on Explore First,” said Couch. “No matter what exact field of study within social work I end up in, the experience informed how I think about and understand and eventually work with diverse populations.”
Going into year three of Explore First, leaders in Education Abroad and Exchanges and UK’s Office for Student Success hope to see the program grow, allowing even more students the opportunity to be part of this life-changing experience.
“We’ve seen how powerful this program is for students,” said Larson. “We know students who participate are succeeding. So we hope that more and more students can participate. We’re going to need further support to ensure that happens.”
SUPPORT EXPLORE FIRST
Cassie Bell, a senior studying Marine Biology and a member of the 2024 Explore First cohort, originally came to UK to be closer to home. Little did she know she’d be flying halfway around the world as part of her education.
“It seems crazy now,” said Bell. “In just a few short years, I’ve grown so much. And now, having the confidence to take that leap and get on a plane and fly to London to do the program. I never could have imagined that when I started here at UK.”
Going into Explore First, Bell looked forward to the career focus of the program. “I was excited to learn how to succeed in a career,” she said. “Going into my senior year, the focus is on what’s next, and Explore First has helped solidify that.”
For Bell, one of the biggest takeaways from Explore First was the feeling that she could do anything she set her mind to. “I’ve grown so much,” she said. “Going to London and navigating the city and putting myself out there, I’ve learned that I can do this. I feel confident to take chances and know that I can succeed.”
When students return to campus after their experience on Explore First, they feel different. They make connections in their courses – a big test feels less daunting than before. See, their future is opening up. It’s right in front of them, and they’re ready for anything.
“I know my path,” said Bell. “This experience, it’s made my future clearer than ever.”
Supporting FACULTY
Leading THE WAY
Studying abroad is a powerfully impactful experience. We see that in the tangible evidence, statistics of graduation rates, retention and post-college success. But we also see it in the stories we hear about confidence gained, hurdles overcome and connections made by students who study abroad.
But education abroad programs are not only impactful for students but for the faculty leading them.
“We’re aiming to create more opportunities to engage with faculty,” said Niamh Larson, executive director of Education Abroad and Exchanges. “We offer a holistic approach to supporting faculty through their facultydirected program, from idea to implementation. Creating spaces for faculty to learn and get the absolute most out of their program is a paramount goal for our office.”
Education Abroad and Exchanges recently hosted a “Faculty Learning Bites” where faculty interested in leading a faculty-directed program could engage in “bite-sized” informational
sessions on topics such as developing a program, marketing a program and several others.
“Developing an education abroad program is multi-faceted,” said Kate Meyer, associate director of Education Abroad and Exchanges. “We want to offer more ways for faculty to gain insights from experts on our team and from our education abroad partners to make it as seamless as possible for them to create these transformational education abroad courses.”
As Larson, Meyer and the entire Education Abroad team continue to support faculty and administrators, they hope to help colleges with their overarching education abroad strategy and lead the way in this crucial space.
“We are a resource to the colleges and departments across campus,” said Larson. “We’ve got an amazing team ready to help and strategize with you. Let’s work together to help our students be successful.”
EDUCATION ABROAD & EXCHANGES
1,057 EDUCATION ABROAD PARTICIPANTS
AY 2023-2024 5% INCREASE FROM AY 2022-2023
51 TOTAL COUNTRIES VISITED
EDUCATION ABROAD FALL FAIR ATTENDANCE
GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVES
SOLVING GLOBAL PROBLEMS
Each fall the Global Health Case Competition brings together students across disciplines, creating a collaborative environment in which teams work together to solve a global health crisis. This year the competition focused on women’s mental health in Haiti, with teams working to put together a holistic solution to this significant problem.
“Each year this competition is so exciting because it brings together some truly amazing students from different disciplines across campus,” said Melody Ryan, assistant provost for Global Health Initiatives. “The collaboration and creativity on display is always so inspiring, and this year was no different.”
The Global Health Case Competition has now been an annual GHI event for almost a decade. Past topics have included gun violence in Honduras, tobacco use in India and childhood obesity in Mexico. These topics bring out the best in students, allowing their creativity to flourish.
“There’s always a surprise, even for myself and the judges,” said Ryan. “A team will think of something that no one else has or find a potential solution thanks to that transdisciplinary nature of the competition. That’s what is always so exciting about the case competition.”
The winning team each year is invited to participate in the annual international case competition at Emory University. In 2015, the winning team from UK finished second overall in that competition, which featured teams from all over the globe.
“One thing that sets this competition apart is how much effort does go into it,” said Ryan. “Students meet throughout the week, listen to speakers on the topic and work with mentors to perfect their presentations. It builds skills in the context of global health, but it also builds those soft skills students need when they graduate.”
This year’s winning team featured students from the Lewis Honors College, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts and the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
“Our team, we all knew each other before the competition,” said Calvin Adams, one of the members of the winning team. “We felt that our majors and various strengths would work well together in this format.”
However, the competition was full of surprises for Adams and his team. “I think the intensity and the ups and downs of the week surprised us,” he said. “As soon as the case was announced to the teams, we got to work. We met regularly throughout the week, but in our first meeting with our mentor, we realized we needed to change directions.”
This shift proved key to the strength of their presentation. “I didn’t know what to think going into the first round of presentations,” said Adams. “I knew once we got to the finals, I felt confident. I felt we had a strong presentation.”
According to Adams, collaboration and a willingness to adapt proved key. “It was definitely stressful to change course halfway through the competition, but it was a valuable lesson. I think in life and work, there are going to be times where it suddenly makes sense to throw something out and start again, with a different frame of mind. Our team worked well together to create the new presentation. It was truly collaborative in the end.”
Adams and his team members will go on to compete at the 2025 Global Health Case Competition at Emory University against other teams from around the globe.
“We’re excited,” said Adams. “I think we’ve got a great team, and we’ve got a shot.”
UK ENGAGE GRANT TO HELP ASSESS CARE FOR REFUGEE POPULATION
Recognizing its integral role as Kentucky’s flagship and land-grant research institution, the University of Kentucky launched the “UK Engage” initiative in 2022 to envision and support innovation in land-grant engagement.
Assistant Provost for Global Health Initiatives Melody Ryan recently led a UK Engage grant proposal to assess access to care among Lexington’s refugee community. Collaborating partners on the grant include:
• Craig Borie, UK International Center
• Katherine Jury, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
• Anthony Mangino, College of Public Health
• Ketrell McWhorter, College of Public Health
• Heather Norman-Burgdolf, MartinGatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
The project uses transdisciplinary participatory research to develop, test and administer a survey addressing the refugee community’s need for access to quality care. Analysis of the data will be used to provide tools to Cooperative Extension and Kentucky Refugee Ministries to improve access to care for this community.
“Lexington is home to a large refugee community, who have very distinct needs,” said Ryan. “We hope this project will allow the university to better understand how we can best serve that community as the state’s flagship institution.”
The team behind the proposal hopes the project will lead to an updated tool that can be used to assess care in multiple languages. “This has been a goal in the local community for some time,” said Ryan. “We hope this project will help us realize that.”
They also plan to develop programming and learning opportunities for the refugee community and those who serve them through information gathered during the project. “This will give us answers to key questions and help us see where we’re at,” said Ryan. “It’s the first step in a longer process of serving this community.”
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER GLOBAL
Shoulder to Shoulder Global (STSG) is a UK Global Health Initiatives program that integrates academic and community partners to improve the health and well-being of an underserved community in Santo Domingo, Ecuador.
Students, faculty, staff and community members participate in short-term experiences in global health, both improving the health of the local population and creating more compassionate and knowledgeable health professionals at the University of Kentucky.
103 PARTICIPANTS IN 2024
1,570
MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED
GLOBAL UK
Our work is guided by our strategic plan, Global UK. This year marked the halfway point of Global UK, which concludes in 2026, and it presents an opportunity to reflect on progress made and focus on how to continue to achieve goals set out by the plan.
One of our biggest achievements this year has been creating more welcoming spaces across campus. Throughout the year, our mission has been to transform the lower level of the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library to become a place where international students can relax, study and get answers to all of their questions. We also wanted to use the space to further connect with the larger campus community. As we end 2024, we continue to see on campus groups using the space and international students congregating and connecting with each other, which serves as a key reminder of the importance of this and all of the strategic plan goals.
Also this year, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) collaborated with the Stuckert Career Center on two International Career Day events that focus on how international students can find success in a career after graduation. ISSS also co-hosted an international festival with the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts and UK Residence Life, which, despite occurring as weather from Hurricane Helene made its way to Lexington, was an overwhelming success.
These and many other efforts are driven by Global UK, as well as our vision and mission. Each year it becomes more apparent how vital it is for all UK students to understand how to function in a global world. This belief inspires our work and will continue to do so as we enter 2025.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GLOBAL UK
We envision a University of Kentucky where a global mindset is integral to our teaching, research, service, and operations; where diverse cultural perspectives are included and valued; and where global learning is broadly accessible.
MISSION
Through our collective expertise and shared advocacy, the UK International Center cultivates and advances global learning, understanding, and connection by leading, supporting, and inspiring global engagement.