LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 19, 2024) — Shria Holla, a Lewis Honors College member and senior mathematical economics major with minors in political science and statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences, has collected a variety of research experiences thanks to mentors and opportunities through the UK Office of Undergraduate Research.
In the summer of 2023, Holla was an economic
The article "The Positive Aspects of Being the Parent of an LGBTQ Child," co-written by Ellen Riggle, was cited in a Scientific American entry titled "Families Find Ways to Protect Their LGBTQ Kids" by Marla Broadfoot.
"One study by researchers at the University of Kentucky set out to catalog the positive aspects of parenting an LGBTQ child," the article states. "The survey of 142 parents uncovered various ways the experience brought about parents’ personal growth. It made them more compassionate, gave them greater empathy for marginalized populations, strengthened their relationship with their
By Brandon Brown and Lindsey Piercy
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 25, 2024) — From the distilling industry to policy making, University of Kentucky alumnae are not just preserving Kentucky traditions — they’re rewriting them.
Shannon Arvin, J.D., Maggie Davis, Tia Edwards, Ouita Michel, Crystal Staley and Tukea Talbert offer a glimpse into the diverse experiences
By Jennifer T. Allen
Last year, Jayden Sheridan worked 70+ hours a week to make ends meet while taking a 19-credit hour course load. A first-generation student from Findlay, Ohio, majoring in political science and minoring in gender and women’s studies and criminology while also working on a peace studies certificate, Sheridan has no lack of motivation.
“Looking back, I don’t know how I was doing that,” she said. “I don’t know how I was keeping my grades up and also working that much. Honestly, last year was a blur.”
Being the first in your family to attend college means navigating the world of higher education without much guidance from home. Sheridan knew that to get the research experiences she wanted while in college, she was going to have to look for funding opportunities.
“First-generation students don’t know where to go for scholarships
By Richard LeComte
Myka Smith-JacksonLEXINGTON, Ky, -- Myka Smith-Jackson found a passion for political science and international affairs by participating in a model U.S. government and United Nations while in Lexington schools. Now she’s following that passion as well as exploring a broad range of interests in the University of Kentucky’s College of Arts and Sciences.
“I participated in programs called KYA and KUNA, which are the Kentucky Youth Assembly and the Kentucky United Nations Assembly,” said Smith-Jackson, a political science major and psychology minor at UK. “Both of those programs were essential to me figuring out what I wanted to study. KYC is mainly focused on United States government, and KUNA is for the United Nations. In the model U.N., I've represented a lot of countries: Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea,
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 19, 2024) — Today we honor U.S. presidents, past and present.
From those who served as war heroes to those who resigned in disgrace, behind every textbook page is a real person who did all sorts of fascinating — and sometimes odd — things on the way to becoming leader of the free world.
We’re going to unpack a treasure trove of those interesting facts soon.
But first, some tidbits about the holiday itself.
Did you know, Presidents’ Day started out as a day of remembrance for only one president, George Washington?
Following Washington’s death in 1799, Americans began honoring his birthday, Feb. 22. At first, the celebration was not federally observed, but it
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2023) — In August 2021, as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, many students in the country found themselves in limbo — unsure of whether or how to continue their education. As they searched for answers, and many fled their home country, the launch of the Kentucky Innovative Scholarship Pilot Project provided hope, and the University of Kentucky mobilized to provide a home away from home.
The program, funded by a $10 million appropriation by the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly, allows colleges and universities to provide scholarships up to the total cost of attendance for displaced students. One of those students who came to
By Jennifer T. Allen
Ana Sampaio has always been interested in technology and, as an international student from Brazil, she also has a deep interest in international relations. Now a senior at the University of Kentucky, Sampaio has combined her passions into three majors: political science and economics in the College of Arts and Sciences and information communication technology (ICT) in the College of Communication and Information.
“I really like combining political science with economics because I can study international economics and international development. I've also always been interested in technology and exploring that side of things, I just thought I wasn't good enough at math to pursue it. I found out I was overthinking it. Plus, ICT focuses more on the analytical side, and I am completely mesmerized by it,” said Sampaio.
Sampaio’s passion
The Department of Political Science in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences Centennial Celebration brought together alumni, friends, and faculty for to honor and celebrate its first 100 years on September 22, 2023. The Centennial Celebration featured a full day of campus activities and engagement opportunities.
"The founding of the Political Science Department at UK has its roots in international relations," said Emily Bacchus, acting chair and professor. "Amery Vandenbosch, the first prominent member of the faculty, was part of the U.S. delegation that drafted the U.N. Charter. Since then, we've gone on to enjoy a reputation for strength in judicial politics, state politics, international relations and comparative politics. Political science at UK is developing public servants and problem solvers."
"I've been able to develop
LEXINGTON Ky. (Oct. 25, 2023) — The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research has announced the fifth annual 5-Minute Fast Track student research competition finalists. These undergraduates competed in the competition’s preliminary round and were selected as Top 10 finalists. They presented their research Oct. 26 on campus.
Abigail Knoy, a senior Lewis Honors College member and neuroscience major in UK's College of Arts and Sciences, won first place. Knoy's mentor is Myunghee Kim, Ph.D., Pigman College of Engineering
By Richard LeComte
Ellen RiggleLEXINGTON, Ky. -- Ellen Riggle, professor of political science and gender and women's studies in the University of Kentucky’s College of Arts & Sciences, has received the Harriett A. Rose Legacies prize from the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in Lexington.
The prize goes to writers 55 and older who submit poems, stories, essays or memoirs drawn from the writer’s personal history.
Readings by contest winners will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at the Carnegie Center, 251 W Secod St.
Riggle received first place for a series of five poems. They are titled: “The LADIES Room,” “The Ladies ROOM,” “Law: …sex as assigned on a person’s birth certificate," “Queer” and “Hyper-Vigilance.”
“The poems
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 2, 2023) — The University of Kentucky recognized exceptional faculty and teaching assistants with the Outstanding Teaching Awards during the 2023 UK Faculty Awards Ceremony held Wednesday, April 26 in the J. David Rosenberg College of Law's Grand Courtroom.
The Outstanding Teaching Awards were established by the Provost to reward and encourage excellence in teaching. Selected via nomination, candidates were reviewed by a selection committee empaneled by the Center for Enhancement of Learning and Teaching in the Office for Faculty Advancement.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant university, our teaching mission is critical to the success and well-
By Ryan Girves
Weiss MehrabiLEXINGTON, Ky. (May 18, 2023) — Weiss Mehrabi, a doctoral candidate and teaching assistant in the College of Arts & Sciences, is one of 10 winners to receive the University of Kentucky’s 2022-23 Outstanding Teaching Awards.
These awards identify and recognize individuals who demonstrate special dedication to student achievement and who are successful in their teaching. Recipients were selected via nomination and reviewed by a selection committee based in the UK Provost’s Office for Faculty Advancement and the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching.
"I’m incredibly surprised, humbled and
By Whitney Hale
Rayleigh DeatonLEXINGTON, Ky. (May 5, 2023) — The University of Kentucky Office of Nationally Competitive Awards has announced that four students have been offered Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships to travel abroad to teach, study or pursue research for the 2023-24 academic year.
Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected based on academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The program operates in more than 140 countries.
This year’s UK Fulbright recipients are:
Rayleigh Deaton, graduating with bachelor’s degrees inBy Meg Mills
Nizhoni McDarmentLEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2022) — The University of Kentucky strives to ensure every member of our community — regardless of who they are, where they are from, what they believe or who they love — feels a sense of belonging.
This sense of belonging is something journalism and political science double major Nizhoni McDarment had spent her whole life searching for, but says she didn’t find until she attended UK.
A child of a military family, McDarment spent 18 years moving from state to state, reintroducing herself to every new person she met. Each introduction came with questions about her name and her Native American culture. She and her family are proud Native Americans.
“For a long time, my Nana was not allowed to
By Nizhoni McDarment
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The University of Kentucky’s Delta Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honors Society, recently received a Best Chapter Awardfor the 2021-22 school year.
The UK chapter was one of six institutions, similar in size, to receive this award out of more than 800 Pi Sigma Alpha Chapters in the United States.
“These awards are intended to recognize local chapters that are particularly active in their institutions and communities and embody our society’s mission to stimulate scholarship and intellectual interest in political science,” according to the National Pi Sigma Alpha Organization.
The honors society hosts panels, speakers, debates, workshops and political science mixers to engage students in the UK College of Arts & Sciences community.
“Our group was formed with the intention and
By Richard LeComte
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Tiffany Barnes, professor of political science in the University of Kentucky’s College of Arts & Sciences, will co-edit a series of books from Cambridge University Press titled “Elements in Gender & Politics.”
The series will combine scholarship with theory to show how politics and gender shape the world. Monographs will examine traditional areas of political science as well as diversity, intersectionality and LGBTQ+ issues. Her co-editor is Diana Z. O’Brien, professor of political science at Washington University in St. Louis.
“I am honored to be named co-editor of the new series,” Barnes said. “Serving in this capacity gives me the opportunity to publish and promote the most rigorous and innovative research on gender and politics from scholars across the globe.”
By Lindsey Piercy, Allison Perry and Danielle Donham
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 19, 2022) — In a myth-busting WVLK segment, “That’s Not How Any of This Works,” experts from various disciplines at the University of Kentucky discuss how their career paths and fields of study aren’t as they always appear on screen.
Stephen Voss, associate professor in the Department of Political Science in the College of Arts and Sciences, guest hosted the show
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 25, 2021) — Eight University of Kentucky students have been selected for the Sustainability Summer Research Fellowship program, a high-impact learning experience that contributes to the students’ academic growth as well as sustainability-focused research initiatives at UK and within the community at large.
The Sustainability Research Fellowship is a collaborative program coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Research and sponsored by the UK Student Sustainability Council and UK Sustainability. The fellowship’s goal is to support and promote sustainability-related undergraduate research endeavors. The program, which launched in 2014, has supported 48 undergraduate sustainability summer projects.
“Sustainability Research Fellowships have
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Researchers at the University of Kentucky have released a 10-minute film titled “Becoming Myself: Positive Trans & Nonbinary Identities.” It features narratives from the lives of seven transgender and nonbinary identified young adults, reflecting on their experiences navigating gender identity.
The film’s executive producers, based in the colleges of Arts & Sciences and Education, are Zak Clements, Ph.D. candidate in counseling psychology; Ellen Riggle, professor and chair in the
