Faculty & Staff News

In addition to being named Founding Dean of KYCO, Michael Bacigalupi, O.D., M.S., FAAO, FNAP, has also been elected to serve in an officer’s position as secretary of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), putting him on the executive committee.

Since the first students began classes in 2016, KYCO remains the only optometry school in Kentucky, with Bacigalupi proudly serving as dean since 2018. As ASCO secretary, Bacigalupi will serve as chair of the communications committee and act as the liaison to the applicant pool advisory committee and the fundraising advisory committee.

“As an organization, ASCO is committed to advancing optometric education and research,” said UPIKE Provost Lori Werth, Ph.D. “Dr. Bacigalupi has a passion for the profession that has not only benefited our region but extended to a national level.”

ASCO’s activities cover a wide range of programs, including applicant development and diversity, faculty and leadership development, advocacy, residency promotion and communications.

In August 2020, KYCO began to take the lead nationally to remove financial barriers and increase diversity in the optometry profession by providing grants for potential students to cover the cost of taking the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT).

Since then, KYCO has covered the cost of the OAT for 43 potential optometry students, many of whom attended optometry schools across the country this fall. The total amount awarded to each student is $625, which includes the cost of the exam along with current study materials they may need to pass. The majority of the funds come from anonymous, local donors.

Bacigalupi says anyone in the United States who plans to attend optometry school is eligible for the assistance.

“It is important for KYCO to give back to the profession of optometry and take part in the overall process of improving and growing this specialty,” said Bacigalupi. “The goals are to help people, do the right thing and take steps to increase diversity in the profession.”

The success of the grant program caught the attention of the American Optometric Association (AOA) during a campus visit from the AOA president. Since then, the KYCO model has been adopted by the AOA and is being showcased on a national platform.

Bacigalupi is delighted that the AOA chose to implement a comparable program.

“This is a wonderful program and I am thrilled it has been adopted by the AOA,” said Bacigalupi. “This will help increase the reach and support of underrepresented minority students interested in optometry.”

University of Pikeville Director of Family and New Student Connections Stephanie Stiltner ’10 joined thirteen other family relations professionals from major universities around the country to co-author the book, College Ready 2021: Expert Advice for Parents to Simplify the College Transition.

This book aims to serve as a comprehensive guide for families sending their students to college for the first time.

“This year, more than ever, families are looking to college professionals for guidance as they support their student through the process of becoming a college student,” said Stiltner. “College Ready 2021 provides practical guidance on what should be done during the summer, at drop-off and throughout the first semester.”

Each chapter addresses a top-of-mind concern and is written by a university official who works with families to enhance student success at the collegiate level. Stiltner wrote the chapter titled “How much stuff will fit in a dorm room? How to pack and prepare for college life.”

“Stephanie’s work is a testament to how important we consider family programming,” said UPIKE Dean of Student Success Mathys Meyer, Ph.D. “This chapter contributes to the national conversation about getting students ready to engage in higher education.”

After an extensive search, UPIKE athletics welcomed Head Football Coach Corey Fipps and Head Baseball Coach Cody Andreychuk to their group of skilled coaches and staff.

Fipps came to UPIKE after four seasons as head football coach at Kentucky Christian University, where he led two of the best seasons in the Knights program history. He has carved a path through many levels of college football, beginning with his alma mater, NCAA Division II Harding University, where he played offensive tackle and obtained both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and kinesiology.

“Itʼs humbling to serve at an institution committed to transforming the lives of its students on such a high level,” said Fipps. “I have full confidence in these athletes, but most of all, I hope our students graduate knowing what it means to have gratitude from the life lessons UPIKE has taught them.”

Andreychuk served on the UPIKE baseball staff as an assistant to former head coach Jim Pitt for the 2016 and 2017 seasons and returned to UPIKE after a threeyear stint as head coach at Lindsey Wilson College. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sport management from Tusculum University.

“I am beyond grateful for this opportunity,” said Andreychuk. “UPIKE is a first-class institution with a distinguished history in academics and athletics. I will do my part to uphold the tradition that makes UPIKE special.”

Athletics Director Kelly Wells says both coaches are driven leaders committed to supporting student-athletes on the field and in the classroom.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cody and Corey to the UPIKE family,” said Wells. “They bring a wealth of knowledge and are a great fit to lead these programs. The future is bright for UPIKE athletics.”