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

Alumni Ambassadors for 2026-27 announced

By Meredith Weber

Sep 15, 2026

The University of Kentucky Alumni Association announced the selection of 37 students, 16 of whom are in the Lewis Honors College, who will serve as Alumni Ambassadors for the 2026-27 academic year. Alumni Ambassadors are selected based on academic achievement, campus involvement and commitment to the university.

Making every opportunity count: Keanu Kawata’s UK Invests story

By Lindsey Piercy

Sep 11, 2026

Throughout the fall semester, UKNow will spotlight University of Kentucky students who are putting UK Invests lessons into practice and building the knowledge and habits they need for a successful financial future. This story features Keanu Kawata, a sophomore from Louisville majoring in accounting and finance in the Gatton College of Business and Economics and the Lewis Honors College.

TEK announces 2026-27 Faculty Fellows cohort

By Jennifer Osterhage

Sep 4, 2026

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 4, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Office of Transdisciplinary Educational approaches to advance Kentucky (TEK) has announced the TEK Faculty Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year, which includes Adrian Magendzo, Ruth Jones Lewis Faculty Scholar in Entrepreneurship. A critical mission of TEK is the development of new transdisciplinary courses and the reimagining of existing courses to emphasize one or more essential career skills.

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