Information for Parents & Family

Welcome to the Lewis Honors Family Community!

Whether you are a family member supporting a prospective or current Lewis Honors College student, we welcome you to the Lewis Honors Family Community led by the Family Advisory Council and the larger University of Kentucky Parent and Family Association.

For an overview of the 2025-2026 academic calendar year, click here.

Emily received multiple offers from various university Honors programs including UK Lewis Honors College. After reviewing all the benefits that UK Lewis offers she happily chose Lewis and is having the time of her life meeting wonderful faculty and new friends also in Honors. As a parent, it made my heart sing to receive a letter from her, about 3 weeks in, saying 'Mom, I love it here at UK and Lewis Honors is the best decision I have ever made.'

Kelli Hardeman

Mom of Emily Hardeman-Erbar '27

Support for Students

Academic Advisors

Each Lewis Honors College student is assigned an academic advisor who will be a constant resource until graduation.

CPD Counselors

Each Lewis Honors College student is assigned a Center for Personal Development counselor to cultivate self-awareness, well-being, and career readiness.

Peer Mentors

Each Lewis Honors College student is assigned a Peer Mentor who fosters a sense of community in the Honors Residential Experience.

Alumni Mentoring

Sophomores may apply for an alumni mentor who will assist students in developing professional skills and positive life habits.

A group of people sitting in a circle, laughing while eating ice cream.

Student Involvement

Students can explore a variety of clubs and organizations to establish their sense of community.

A group of students sitting in a lecture hall listening intently. The camera is focused on a boy in a red shirt and a blue lanyard.

Student Resources

Students have access to many resources to ensure student success.

Stay in Touch

We invite you to follow us on social media @ukyhonors, join us for events, or contact us at honors@uky.edu or 859-257-3111.

News and Upcoming Events

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.

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