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

Students Rally Behind Operation Secret Santa with Holiday Food Drive

By Adrienne Clarke

Nov 14, 2025

During the Ideas that Matter series, our third guest speakers were Operation Secret Santa (OSS) nonprofit founder Katie Keys (also known as “Head Elf”) and Honors alumna Lucy Jett Waterbury, who shared OSS’s inspiring origin story and its growing impact. Through its mission “Creating Christmas without barriers,” OSS served over 2,000 families, including over 6,000 children, last year.

Campus donors will receive additional perks for helping secure a Big Blue victory against Tennessee Tech.

Big Blue Crush blood drive begins Monday at UK

By Eric Lindsey

Nov 14, 2025

Giving blood to Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) saves local lives throughout the year, but Kentucky fans who donate during Big Blue Crush have extra incentive: a chance to beat rival Tennessee.

UK students and faculty gather in Norway to prepare their payload for NASA’s GHOST mission. From left: Alexander Barrera, Eric Adams, Carson Brown, Cannon Shields, Savio Poovathingal and Alexandre Martin.

Kentucky dream takes flight: UK joins NASA on Arctic space mission, including a Lewis Honors College alumnus

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

Nov 13, 2025

A team of students and faculty from the University of Kentucky Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering will make history in Norway, launching a UK-developed payload as part of NASA’s GHOST spaceflight mission.

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