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

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. 

The Travis Stimeling Early Career Award honors individuals within the first 10 years of their careers who are dedicated to intellectual rigor and pedagogical integrity in constructing and delivering inclusive knowledge about Appalachia and its people. 

“It's always nice to be recognized for an award because it makes you feel like you did something special, but the real benefit of winning an award like this for teaching means that you helped other people do something special. It’s transformative,” Komara said.

Komara was nominated by her peers, Senior Lewis Lecturer Kenton Sena, Ph.D., and former Lewis Lecturer Rebecca Gayle Howell, Ph.D. Her application was supplemented by letters of recommendation that brought Komara to tears from two students, Trenton Schroering and Chloe Halcomb.

“She strives to make students better learners, leaders, and members of society, and I, changed for the better having taken her classes, can attest to her profound success in doing so,” Schroering wrote. “Appalachian culture is woven into every tapestry she sews in a beautiful way that gave me, a city boy from urban Louisville, an appreciation for Appalachia that’d never be possible otherwise.”

As a fellow Appalachian, Halcomb appreciated Komara’s validation of the value that Appalachians contribute to the UK student experience. 

“She demonstrates that intellectual rigor and cultural integrity are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing.” Halcomb wrote. “Dr. Komara is an exceptional professor whose teaching is transformative, inclusive, and deeply rooted in community.”

By working for the honors college, Komara said she believes this kind of teaching recognition is possible. 

“Because we get to be insanely creative, we get to be intellectually curious,” she said. “And we get to design something as creative as we possibly can.”

Schroering valued Komara’s unique approach by not assigning research papers or essays. 

“Dr. Z instead asks for hands-on engagement with the material to demonstrate, above all else, a passion for the material and an understanding of its importance.”

Komara invites more Appalachian studies faculty to teach Honors courses. 

“I think it’s a great way to explore history, social problems, the diversity of the Commonwealth and other states in Appalachia, as well as do some really fun stuff,” Komara said.

Komara was also appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear to the Kentucky Oral History Commission. Her work in oral history, particularly a course she taught in which students conducted more than 600 interviews in eight years, rose to the attention of commission chair Amanda Matthews. 

“Doug Boyd, director of the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, informs me that it’s officially made UK the university in the United States with the most interviews with community members, faculty, staff, and students,” Komara said.

When an opening emerged on the commission, Matthews nominated Komara for the role. Although many commission members come from leadership backgrounds across Kentucky, Komara brings extensive hands-on oral history experience to the position.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity because I think I have something to offer that can elevate oral history in the Commonwealth,” Komara said.