News

UK researcher shines light on maintenance work in ‘The Keeping Space’ documentary

By Erin Wickey

Aug 5, 2026

Thousands of people move across the campus of the University of Kentucky every day. They enter buildings that are already clean, walk through hallways already mopped and settle into classrooms prepared for the day. That work became a topic of research for Jena Seiler, Ph.D., lecturer in the UK Lewis Honors College, filmmaker and interdisciplinary artist whose creative practice focuses on helping audiences see the extraordinary in everyday life.

4 UK faculty members named 2026-27 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program fellows

By Ryan Girves

Aug 3, 2026

Four University of Kentucky faculty members, including Pearl James, Ph.D., associate dean of academic affairs in the Lewis Honors College, have been selected as 2026-27 fellows in the Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program (SEC-ALDP), a prestigious initiative that prepares emerging academic leaders for leadership roles across higher education.

Record participation reflects growing demand for honors education abroad programs

By Adrienne Clarke

Jul 15, 2026

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 15, 2026) — A record 60 Lewis Honors College students participated in four honors faculty-directed education abroad programs this summer, a 54% increase over last year. Overall, a record 250 honors students studied abroad through a variety of programs during the past academic year. In the four honors faculty-directed programs, students traveled to Ecuador, England, Greece, Italy and Scotland to study sustainability, leadership, writing and distilling.

The 2026 Outstanding Teaching Awards: Ryan Voogt

By Tom Musgrave

Jul 15, 2026

Ryan Voogt, Ph.D., the director of undergraduate studies and a senior lecturer in the University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College, was among 10 educators honored with the UK’s 2026 Outstanding Teaching Awards.

Public Health Student Hollie Hagan found her calling in rural Kentucky

By Jonathan Greene

Jul 10, 2026

Growing up in Grayson County, Honors student Hollie Hagan always knew she wanted to help people. She just wasn’t sure what that looked like. Like many students entering college, Hagan originally envisioned a career in healthcare. She planned to study nutrition and dietetics, inspired by time spent volunteering at her local food pantry. But an internship with the Grayson County Health Department during her senior year of high school introduced her to a field she hadn’t even realized existed — public health.

2 UK engineering graduates awarded Defense Department SMART Scholarships

By Tom Musgrave

Jun 23, 2026

Student News

Recent University of Kentucky engineering graduates Grant Fischer (Lewis Honors College) and Spencer Goode-Kulchar were awarded U.S. Defense Department SMART Scholarships.

New dean of UK Lewis Honors College announced

By Johnson Lam

Jun 5, 2026

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 5, 2026) — After a comprehensive national search, James Buss, Ph.D., has been selected as the next dean of the University of Kentucky’s Lewis Honors College.

Honors faculty member wins teaching award; receives appointment by Gov. Beshear

By Adrienne Clarke

Jun 1, 2026

LEXINGTON, KY (June 1, 2026) — Multiple award-winning Senior Lewis Lecturer Zada Komara, Ph.D., received recognition at the national and state levels this academic year, through the Travis Stimeling Early Career Award for Excellence in Teaching Appalachian Studies and appointment to the Kentucky Oral History Commission.

Student art competition winners celebrate UK’s local food system

By Katelin Ralenkotter

May 29, 2026

A new, mobile art installation spotlighting the University of Kentucky’s local and sustainable food systems will be on display on campus starting this fall. The student art competition, sponsored by UK Recycling, The Food Connection and UK Dining, aims to highlight student art and educate the campus community on UK’s efforts to source food locally, support agricultural industries and turn food waste into compost.

Students launch UK’s 3rd edition of undergrad research journal

By Haven L. Patrick

May 22, 2026

Undergraduate students at the University of Kentucky who participate in research under the guidance of faculty mentors have the opportunity to publish and broadly share the outcomes of their work and collaborative experiences. The third edition of Aperture Journal of Undergraduate Research (AJUR) is now available and highlights the projects of 15 student-professor partnerships.

News

Contact Us