Behind the Blue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 4, 2024) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE.] The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a pivotal federal law enacted in 1990 that addresses the repatriation and disposition of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and cultural patrimony.

With the understanding of the pain caused by historical practices, UK remains dedicated to working closely with Native nations, aiming to ethically repatriate these items. The size of the NAGPRA collections requires extensive expertise, staffing and resources, and is an ongoing collaborative process involving thorough consultations with Tribal stakeholders.

Dr. Celise Chilcote-Fricker, a distinguished bioarchaeologist and assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the NAGPRA coordinator at the William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology at UK. In the five years she has been at UK, she has spearheaded various initiatives, including policy implementation, research moratorium, establishing an osteoarchaeology lab and developing digital databases shared with Native nations. Dr. Chilcote-Fricker is steadfast in leading this work with transparency, respect and meaningful consultations with Tribal representatives.

In early 2023, the university pledged nearly $900,000 over the next three years to accelerate the NAGPRA efforts. This substantial investment, a collaboration between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of the Provost and led by Dean Ana Franco-Watkins, aims to expand personnel and resources, doubling the team dedicated to NAGPRA efforts.

Under Dr. Chilcote-Fricker's leadership, and with reinvigorated support from the university, UK has made commendable progress in ensuring that these cultural artifacts find their way back to their rightful homes.

Through their efforts, UK has culturally affiliated and repatriated 721 ancestors and 5,186 associated funerary objects from 39 different sites, which represents about 15% of the university's NAGPRA-related archaeological holdings.

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Dr. Chilcote-Fricker discusses this impactful work and the University of Kentucky's commitment to honoring and returning these invaluable cultural treasures that for too long have remained within our walls.

For more information about NAGPRA, visit the National Parks Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Association on American Indian Affairs websites. For more information about UK's NAGPRA efforts, visit the UK Department of Anthropology.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, KY. (December 28, 2023) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE] In 2018, the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC), launched "Find Help Now KY", a website that provides a near real-time treatment opening locator for substance use disorders.

The locator guides individuals to available treatment openings. It takes into consideration the substance(s) being used, payment options including commercial and public insurance programs, gender identity, preference for in- or out-patient treatment and needed co-occurring treatments such as mental health care, plus 30 more criteria.

The site provides daily availability information for treatment openings, to enable rapid admission to addiction programs.

One of the biggest barriers to accessing treatment for substance use disorders can be the time it takes to find an open space in a treatment facility. By the time a clinician, family member or patient can find the right facility for their needs and navigate the insurance process, the bed in question may have been filled or the window of opportunity for recovery may have passed.

Based on the success of FindHelpNowKY.org, the team has expanded their offerings to a new site. After recognizing the need that many patients have for stable and secure housing during the recovery process, FindRecoveryHousingNowKY.org has launched to provide a guided search tool to help overcome barriers for people seeking treatment or recovery housing.

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Leah Dick and Catherine Hines, research project managers with Find Help Now discuss the success the program has had since its inception, the growth it is experiencing with expansion into recovery housing assistance, and how the program is moving into the future as a leader for other states looking to model their efforts.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 21, 2023) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.

To receive the award, a candidate must:

• Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
• Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
• Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
• Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
• Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.

A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.

This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six 2023 Great Teacher Award winners. Martina Vasil is an associate professor of music education and School of Music interim director of Undergraduate Studies. She teaches undergraduate courses in general music methods and graduate courses in music education research and popular music education.

She is passionate about making music education more accessible and meaningful for all. This shows through her work in popular music education, Orff Schulwerk (an active approach to teaching music) and her service as president of the Association for Popular Music Education. Vasil is invested in graduate student success, conducting research on this topic and advising most students in the master's and Ph.D. music education programs.

Prior to her appointment at UK, she taught kindergarten through eighth grade general music and instrumental music (band and strings) in Pennsylvania. Since 2018, she has taught children at Lexington Montessori School. Vasil has degrees from West Virginia University and Eastman School of Music.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 14, 2023) — A photo captures an instantaneous moment in time — allowing us to preserve a memory.

Yet, oddly, the meaning of a photograph is never fixed. Its significance has the ability to change over time.

A 4x6 frame holds a celebratory photo of Madona Elias, her mom and fellow graduates.

Elias is dressed in a black cap and gown. A golden tassel, signifying the commemorative closing of one chapter and the beginning of another, falls in front of her face — where Elias is also wearing a proud smile.

It's 2004 and she has just graduated from the University of Aleppo in Syria.

It's a feeling of accomplishment unlike any other — walking across the commencement stage, outstretched hand reaching for that coveted diploma.

"Never did I imagine I would have to do this again nearly 20 years later," Elias said.

****

After receiving a degree in clinical mental health, Elias established herself as a mental health specialist and researcher in the global health community — serving several refugee populations (Syrian, Iraqi and Palestinian) worldwide.

As a student who often excelled, she continued to chase her desire to be a catalyst for change through education.

In 2010, Elias completed a Fellowship in medical anthropology at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom and was nominated three years in a row by the European Union as a key focal researcher from Syria in the RESCAP-MED project.

"The main purpose of the project was to build sustainable research capacity for public health and its social determinants in low and middle-income countries in the Mediterranean Region," she explained.

With nearly two decades of experience in the Middle East, Europe and the United States, Elias implemented and oversaw complex research studies and evaluation projects with the World Health Organization (WHO), Catholic Relief Services (Caritas-Jordan) and the European Union.

On top of a successful career, Elias was nearing the completion of her doctorate and felt as if her future was falling into place.

"My life was much like anyone else's," she said. "I had a career, a family and a home."

****

In the backdrop, unrest was spreading across the Arab world.

When the Syrian war broke out in 2011, the only home Elias had ever known was no longer safe.

"I was forced to flee my beloved country."

Elias' international work status allowed her to seek refuge in the U.S. with her 6-year-old daughter. But many family members were left behind. "Even though I escaped the violence, part of my heart remains there," she said.

Elias was forced to start a new life in a new country — where she would ultimately face language barriers, cultural differences and difficulties finding work.

While Elias' education and career were not top of mind, she asked herself, "what's next?"

That's when a deep uncertainty began to settle in.

"English was my third language. And much of my education was not recognized in the U.S.," Elias said. "I had to spend the next 10 years rebuilding my life from the ground up. And I had to start my career and education again from scratch."

****

Pain has a way of inspiring purpose.

Elias remained resilient — determined to rebuild a bright, hopeful future for herself and her daughter.

That's when, in 2016, she began working at UK HealthCare's Psychiatric and Behavioral Health Care Clinic in the College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky.

"I loved the charming campus and learned how highly ranked UK's graduate programs in health care are nationwide," she said. "While I was working, I enrolled in graduate school to earn a certificate in global health."

Elias continued working full-time to support her family, while earning exemplary grades. In 2019, she graduated with a certificate in global health with a focus on mental health.

But that wasn't the end of her educational story or her journey at UK.

In 2021, Elias was accepted into the online Master of Social Work (MSW) program in the College of Social Work (CoSW).

In the years that followed, she pursued the ultimate balancing act — applying herself in the classroom, in the community and at home.

"When choosing to complete my MSW as a single mom, while working two full-time jobs, the college offered me a flexible online program with a high quality of education and mentorship support that encouraged me to follow my dream," Elias continued. "UK also has a wide array of programs that have allowed me to excel in multidisciplinary studies and foster an environment of cooperative engagement across all colleges, programs and research endeavors."

The rigorous MSW includes options for an advanced program (30 credits) and a regular program (60 credits) to give experienced social workers and/or passionate newcomers the practical skills needed to be effective in the field.

The program is open to all undergraduate degrees and may be completed full-time or part-time, in either a hybrid or online format. MSW students also have the option to earn specialized certificates in clinical social work, child welfare, military behavioral health, rural population well-being, integrative behavioral health and substance use disorder, among others.

The MSW graduates have the highest clinical licensing pass rates in Kentucky and routinely score above the national average — making those who complete the program uniquely poised to enter a competitive job market. And in so doing, students will positively impact the lives of individuals, groups and communities around the world.

Through the CoSW, finally, Elias found a second home — and a second family.

"It's been an arduous, lengthy, challenging journey. But I managed to reinvent myself and establish roots again here in Kentucky," she continued. "My mentors, Kalea Benner, Katherine Crabtree and Peter Polatin, believed in me when I lost faith in myself."

****

What makes a photo powerful?

On a sunny December afternoon, Elias finds herself back in front of the camera, beaming with pride as she poses in graduation gown — only this time it is blue, and her daughter, now 18, is standing by her side.

It's been 20 years since Elias' first graduation. Now, both photos serve as a symbol — reminding her she discovered new happiness not despite challenges, but because of them.

"I worked tirelessly, regardless of my scars of war PTSD and survivor's guilt, to become whole again as a refugee."

Elias is aware she is one among many who are forcibly displaced because of conflict, war or natural disaster.

Through her initiative, "Global Mental Health Intervention Program During Crises and Wartime," she hopes to not only help others like her but affect policy change surrounding mental health services for refugees.

As Elias crosses the Commencement stage — for the second time — she hopes her story of resilience encourages others to embrace the best from the worst and keep moving forward.

"Life is hard and challenging. But I am a war survivor, and now I can see why I'm still here," she said. "Unfortunately, war is beyond our control. But refugees should have a better future and need help healing. I still have a mission to help people overcome their PTSD and find a way to live with their scars."

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 7, 2023) – Most of us have been involved in conversations with friends, family, co-workers and more regarding holiday decorations, and the pros and cons of those "early birds" out there who start hanging lights the day after Halloween. Or perhaps we've silently evaluated our neighbors on the quality or volume of their outdoor decorations (and how many inflatables they have in their yard).

Some of you listening may bristle at the idea of holiday decorations in general, especially if you've had a personal encounter with what you feel are "over-the-top" decorators.

It turns out, though, that there may be more going on under the surface than just an over-zealous observer of the holidays, and decorations around the home could be beneficial for a person's mental and emotional health.

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Shannon Sauer-Zavala, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Kentucky, discusses the psychological benefits of holiday decorations. She explains that living in accordance with our values and cultural traditions can increase positive emotions and life fulfillment.

Decorating for the holidays can bring joy and enhance the holiday spirit. Savoring the holiday experience and being mindful of the present moment can also contribute to emotional well-being. Additionally, decorations can create a sense of community and belonging. It is important to acknowledge that the holidays can be challenging for some individuals, and seeking mental health support is encouraged.

For more information about UK's clinical services mentioned in this episode, visit The Harris Center for Psychological Services.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 30, 2023) – The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is a pivotal federal law enacted in 1990 that addresses the repatriation and disposition of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and cultural patrimony.

With the understanding of the pain caused by historical practices, UK remains dedicated to working closely with Native nations, aiming to ethically repatriate these items. The size of the NAGPRA collections requires extensive expertise, staffing and resources, and is an ongoing collaborative process involving thorough consultations with Tribal stakeholders.

Dr. Celise Chilcote-Fricker, a distinguished bioarchaeologist and assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the NAGPRA coordinator at the William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology at UK. In the five years she has been at UK, she has spearheaded various initiatives, including policy implementation, research moratorium, establishing an osteoarchaeology lab and developing digital databases shared with Native nations. Dr. Chilcote-Fricker is steadfast in leading this work with transparency, respect and meaningful consultations with Tribal representatives.

In early 2023, the university pledged nearly $900,000 over the next three years to accelerate the NAGPRA efforts. This substantial investment, a collaboration between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of the Provost and led by Dean Ana Franco-Watkins, aims to expand personnel and resources, doubling the team dedicated to NAGPRA efforts.

Under Dr. Chilcote-Fricker's leadership, and with reinvigorated support from the university, UK has made commendable progress in ensuring that these cultural artifacts find their way back to their rightful homes.

Through their efforts, UK has culturally affiliated and repatriated 721 ancestors and 5,186 associated funerary objects from 39 different sites, which represents about 15% of the university's NAGPRA-related archaeological holdings.

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Dr. Chilcote-Fricker discusses this impactful work and the University of Kentucky's commitment to honoring and returning these invaluable cultural treasures that for too long have remained within our walls.

For more information about NAGPRA, visit the National Parks Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Association on American Indian Affairs websites. For more information about UK's NAGPRA efforts, visit the UK Department of Anthropology.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 23, 2023) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.

 To receive the award, a candidate must:

• Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
• Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
• Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
• Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
• Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.

A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.

This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six 2023 Great Teacher Award winners. Derek R. Lane is a professor in the Department of Communication. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma and undergraduate degrees from Eastern Wyoming College, Chadron State College, and the University of Nebraska-Kearney. He has been a faculty member at UK since 1996.

In addition to teaching more than 30 different graduate and undergraduate courses, he has held administrative positions as associate dean for graduate programs in communication in the college from 2005-2009, senior associate dean from 2013-2020 and interim dean from 2018-2019. He also served as an endowed professor in the UK College of Engineering from 2004-2015.

His instructional and organizational risk and crisis communication research explains how humans understand, organize and use the information contained in face-to-face and mediated messages to improve behavior change in applied contexts. He has worked on several collaborative research teams that have secured more than $8.5 million in funding. He first received the UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award as an assistant professor in 2000. (He is a two-time recipient of the Great Teacher Award, initially given the honor as an assistant professor in 2000.)

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 16, 2023) – At the start of every academic semester here at the University of Kentucky, there is often discussion regarding the importance of belonging for our students. But, what about our employees? UK was recently recognized for the sixth consecutive year as a great college to work for, according to a survey conducted by ModernThink. One of the reasons UK received that honor is because of its efforts to create spaces for employees to find belonging. 

Employee Affinity Groups at the University of Kentucky (EAGs@UK) are voluntary clusters of employees who share common interests. These groups play an important role in building community, articulating collective concerns, and promoting employees’ holistic wellbeing.  EAGs@UK also advance the university’s goals and strategic priorities around creating a campus culture of inclusion, belonging and expansion. The primary focus of EAGs@UK is to advance inclusive excellence by supporting the connection, collaboration, work life and wellbeing of every employee throughout the institution. 

Susanne McGinnis and Lanesha Conner serve as co-leads for two of the university’s EAGs: McGinnis with the Asian and Asian American Affinity Group, and Conner with the African American, Black, African Diaspora Affinity Group. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, they talk about UK’s Employee Affinity Groups and their mission to build community, help members provide support for one another, and advocate for the needs of minority employees on campus.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page. 

To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2023) – Another election season has concluded in Kentucky, which means an end – for the moment – to the constant, almost ubiquitous campaign ads.

Another face and voice that was a major presence in most media throughout Kentucky was UK Political Science Professor Stephen Voss. Voss is an expert on Kentucky political campaigns and he has been a guest on Behind the Blue several times to share his deep, dispassionate analysis of campaigns and political strategy.  

In this episode, Voss dissects what happened in the recent Kentucky gubernatorial race as well as other campaigns nationally in places such as Ohio and Virginia. He also talks about what it might mean for the presidential race in 2024.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.

To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, KY. (November 2, 2023) – The University of Kentucky, along with donors and community partners, recently celebrated the achievement of the $2.1 billion goal for Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign.

UK’s new Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Jake Lemon recently talked with Behind the Blue about what the largest fundraising campaign in the Commonwealth’s history means to our campus, state and world.

Lemon, who has been in this new role since May, also talks about what’s next for philanthropy at UK.

Learn more about the campaign and its impact here.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.

To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.