While the 2020 general election is still more than seven months away, the COVID-19 crisis has paused much of the presidential campaign. Meanwhile, state and county officials across the U.S. are already preparing ways to allow voters to cast their ballots safely. UK faculty members with expertise in politics have been monitoring the evolving situation and are available to comment: 

UK will continue adding experts to this resource in an effort to be an even

By Gabriela Antenore

The University of Kentucky Gaines Center for the Humanities has selected 12 undergraduate students as new scholars for the Gaines Fellowship Program.

The Gaines Fellowship is presented in recognition of outstanding academic performance, demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, an interest in public issues and a desire to enhance understanding of the human condition through the humanities. Founded in 1984 by a gift from John and Joan Gaines, the Gaines Center for the Humanities functions as a laboratory for imaginative and innovative education on UK’s campus. The Gaines Center is designed to enrich the study of the humanities at the

By Ryan Girves

Before the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 50 outstanding University of Kentucky undergraduate research students learned they were selected to present their faculty-mentored research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The event was canceled, but UK's Office of Undergraduate Research is noting the achievement. Among them are more than a dozen students in the College of Arts & Sciences. 

The student conference, which would have been held this past weekend at Montana State University, is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity in all fields of study. It provides models of exemplary research and scholarship and strives to improve the state of

By Whitney Hale and Jenny Wells-Hosley

The year 2020 kicks off a new decade. What will the next 10 years bring in the areas of health, technology, climate, the economy, politics and more? In a new recurring series, UKNow explores the next decade by asking University of Kentucky experts to discuss and predict upcoming trends in their areas.

Today, we spoke with Michael Zilis. As an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, he is looking ahead at the issues that will shape 2020 and beyond.

Zilis teaches courses on American government, constitutional law and judicial decision-making. He emphasizes student engagement

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Charles D. Smith – Candidate for 3rd District Council - 859-361-4453

“It is a great honor to be recognized by my peers for my research contributions,” she said.

APA is the leading professional and scientific organization representing psychology in the United States. The APA currently has 118,000 members consisting of psychologists, clinicians, consultants, educators, scientists and students.

Those awarded APA Fellow

By Lindsey Piercy 

Last year,  Nick Wilson outwitted, outplayed and outlasted 20 competitors on the 37th season of "Survivor." The University of Kentucky alumnus claimed the title of "Sole Survivor" and the $1 million prize on the season finale. Now, he will be returning to the hit CBS competition in hopes of claiming victory once again. And this time, there's more at stake.

On Wednesday, the network announced Wilson as one of the cast members of the show’s 40th season, “Survivor: Winners at War," which will pit 20 former winners against one another for the largest prize in reality TV competition history — $2 million.

"It was a quick turnaround to play again so suddenly. But it was a no-brainer for me to say

This year, the College of Arts & Sciences celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Over the last 20 years, we have recognized 79 alumni and faculty whose contributions to the College, University, Commonwealth and beyond are far-reaching. Over the past few weeks, I have been highlighting each of this year’s inductees. Today, I am honored to recognize our second faculty inductee Dr. Penny Miller.

A native of Binghamton, New York, Dr. Miller earned her B.A. (1965) and M.A. (1967) in Political Science from the University of Kentucky. As a young woman, she founded the Metro Group Homes and co-chaired Lexington Jewish Women’s Federation. When her children, Jonathan and Jennifer, were nearly grown, she returned to the Department of Political Science to earn her Ph.D. in 1986. After three years teaching at Temple

This year, the College of Arts & Sciences celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Over the last 20 years, we have recognized 79 alumni and faculty whose contributions to the College, University, Commonwealth and beyond are far-reaching. Over the next few weeks, I will be highlighting each of this year’s inductees. Today, I am honored to recognize one of our faculty inductees Dr. Bradley Canon.

Dr. Canon was born in Chicago in 1937. After the war, his family moved to Florida and he grew up in West Palm Beach and Hollywood. He graduated from Florida State University where he was editor of the student newspaper. After serving in the Army, he went to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin, earning a Ph.D. in political science.

Dr. Canon joined the faculty of the Department of Political Science in 1966.

This year, the College of Arts & Sciences celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Over the last 20 years, we have recognized 79 alumni and faculty whose contributions to the College, University, Commonwealth and beyond are far-reaching. Over the next few weeks, I will be highlighting each of this year’s inductees. Today, I am honored to recognize Bob Trunzo.

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Robert (Bob) N. Trunzo earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kentucky in 1978 and a law degree from Marquette University in 1981. He completed the Kellogg School of Management Executive Program at the Kellogg Management Institute at Northwestern University in 2011.

Bob became the eighth president and chief executive officer of CUNA Mutual Group on Jan. 1, 2014. Prior to joining CUNA

By Whitney Hale, Amy Jones-Timoney, and Kody Kiser

The accolades for the Commonwealth’s food scene have been rolling in the last several years, and few leaders are as responsible for growing the state’s culinary landscape as University of Kentucky alumna Ouita Michel.

At UK's home football game Saturday, the celebrated chef and restaurateur was recognized for her work as one of the original champions of Kentucky’s local food movement.

A James Beard Foundation Award nominee as Outstanding Restaurateur and Best Chef Southeast, Michel has built a regional restaurant empire that now includes such popular establishments as Zim’s Cafe, Honeywood, Holly Hill

Justin Wedeking's recent U.S. Supreme Court research receives NSF grant to continue study of online Supereme Court news stories

By Madison Dyment

Usually when accepting a professor position, you’re faced with the challenge of balancing research and teaching requirements. For some professors, like political science professor Justin Wedeking, you not only rise to the challenge, but also excel in it. 

Wedeking is a full professor in the Department of Political Science while also serving as the Department’s Associate Chair and its Director of Graduate Studies. Coming to UK in 2007, he has been part of the University for 13 years. 

“I’d been studying law and courts and judicial behavior and UK had such a strong reputation in that area of focus, so this job was a great chance to carry on that torch and legacy by working here,” Wedeking

“Allia S. Kabbani is a recipient of the 2019 Criminal Division’s Assistant Attorney General’s Awards For Distinguished Service to the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. She is recognized for her service in the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and the significant support provided in the case entitled United States v. Rivera Weir, et al., that arose from an investigation into a conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States and which resulted in the rape and murder of victims during and in relation to the criminal scheme.”

DOJ Press release:

Alumni Spotlight: Betty Moore Sandler

By Julie Wrinn

Choosing a college major is harder for some students than for others, but for Betty Moore Sandler (B.A. Political Science ’69, J.D. ’81) it was a piece of cake. “I was always interested in politics,” she explained. “My father was a local politician. He was County Court Clerk in Floyd County for 12 years. My mother was his chief deputy. I literally walked home from elementary school to the courthouse, where I stayed until they went home from work.”

One of Sandler’s earliest memories is of a County Clerks Association meeting in Louisville, where her father at age 23 had become its youngest ever president. “I remember being in the ballroom and Daddy being at the microphone,” she said. Primary elections were always more contested that general elections, and because there were paper ballots, the outcome could take

UK Ph.D. Andrea Malji was an invited speaker at Honolulu's 150th birthday celebration for Mahatma Gandhi. Prof. Malji addressed the continuing legacy of non-violent resistance. A delegation from Goa, India, attended the event, as did local Hawaiian officials such as U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D-1st).

Keynote speakers were: Lt Gov Josh Green, Congressman Ed Case, and Judith Jenya, Esq.

Sponsors: The City and County of Honolulu, Indian-American Friendship Council, Spark Matsunaga Peace Institute, Ceeds of Peace, Iolani School, Still & Moving Center, Down to Earth, MOA Wellness Center, Vegetarian Society of Hawaii Health Foundation, Center for Attitudinal Healing, Master Sha’s Tao Healing Center, UNA Hawaii, ISKCON Temple, Global Media Productions, Olelo Community Television, Hawaii Health Guide.

Bushra Bani-Salman is a senior political science major at the University of Kentucky. As a transfer student who has only been at UK for two years, she has already made an impact on campus, especially within the political science department. Originally from Louisville, she always had a desire to go to UK. Bushra described coming to UK as both exciting and nerve-wracking, but 100% worth it.  She says there’s a tremendous difference between who she was before enrolling and who she is now. Now, not only is she excited to go to class and stay on campus throughout the day (and sometimes night), but she has many more goals set in place and sees herself and her life more clearly than she previously imagined. She credits a lot of this change to the professors she has interacted with in the department. She said the professors here seem like they care, like they want her to succeed and

By Jenny Wells-Hosley

The University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences will induct six new members into its Hall of Fame this week. 

This year marks the Hall of Fame’s 20th anniversary and the induction ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in the Gatton Student Center's Worsham Cinema.

This year's honorees include:

Alumni Inductees:

Anne C. Deaton, English, bachelor's degree (1967)

Deaton grew up in Brooklyn, New York, but her father’s employment with IBM brought her to Lexington at age 13. After attending Lexington Catholic High School, Deaton entered the College of Arts and Sciences and devoured her courses, especially those in her major (English) and minor (history). She enthusiastically joined extracurricular

By Ryan Girves

Rachel White is a senior international studies and political science major in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Two University of Kentucky students, Amani Shalash, early childhood education major, and Rachel Wright, international studies and political science major, were awarded the Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) Study Abroad Grant. Shalash and Wright were two of 75 students nationwide to receive the $1,000 award. 

The study abroad grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. This award is open to any enrolled undergraduate student at UK because the university is home to an active chapter in good standing with the national office. To apply, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 or higher on a