Behind the Blue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2022) – The Office of Philanthropy is the fundraising arm of the University of Kentucky. Charged with furthering the university’s mission and vision, the philanthropy staff works with faculty, students, programs, colleges and administration to identify the university’s top priorities. Then, it connects the university to the people, corporations and foundations who can make their dreams a reality.

In 2018, the university launched the $2.1 billion ‘Kentucky Can’ campaign to tackle these challenges by improving opportunities for student success, funding innovative research, improving healthcare for all Kentuckians, strengthening our alumni network and supporting our athletics programs.

The fundraising campaign is the largest in the history of the Commonwealth, and is designed to create thousands of scholarships to expand access to education at the University of Kentucky and to dramatically accelerate UK’s efforts to solve the Commonwealth’s most challenging health and economic issues.

On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ Tom Harris, UK’s Vice-President for university relations discusses the need for philanthropy at UK, the current state of the Kentucky Can campaign and its potential impact, the importance of alumni and friends of the university to philanthropic efforts, and more.

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.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 2, 2022) – Sometimes being first in something comes with its own unique set of challenges. Take, for example, the journey of being a first generation college student, meaning neither of your parents earned a Bachelor’s degree, regardless of siblings and other relatives. In many cases, first gen students face psychological, academic, financial, and social strains that other students don’t, and are statistically at-risk to leave college within the first three years.

At UK, nearly 1 in 4 incoming freshmen and 1 in 3 transfer students are first-generation college students. First-Generation Student Services supports first-generation students at the University of Kentucky from recruitment to graduation through research-based programs, resources, best practices, and campus-wide advocacy about the needs of students who are the first in their families to go to college. Advisors advocate for first-generation students within their colleges and collaborate with other campus offices to provide the best resources to promote the success of first-generation students at UK.

As Associate Director of Student Transitions and Family Programs, Martina Martin oversees current programming and new initiatives for first-generation and off-campus students.

In addition to her work with first-generation and off-campus students, Martina is a member of NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education (KABHE). She is also involved with the Graduate and Professional School Showcase and Jamal Mashburn Scholarship Committee.

On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Martin talks about the challenges some first-gen students face, the resources available to them, the special bonds peer mentors build that help lead these students to success, and more.

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.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 22, 2022) – The TRACS (Triage, Referral, Assistance and Crisis Support) hub is a physical and virtual one-stop shop where students can come for a quick referral to support services or receive direct clinical support for a range of mental health needs, basic needs and crises.

The process is simple: if you are a student with a mental health or wellness question, or a staff/faculty member assisting a student, you can show up in-person (third floor, east wing of the Gatton Student Center), call 859-21TRACS (859-218-7227) or fill out this form for assistance.

This will allow students to connect with a team member — removing barriers to entry and aligning all mental health and well-being services across campus.

Here’s more details on how it works:

• The TRACS Hub is primarily located in the new student support space on the third floor of the east wing in the Gatton Student Center. It is staffed with new positions — experts in case management and with clinical backgrounds — who can quickly assess a student’s needs and make the appropriate referral.
• Services are offered in-person and virtually — with expanded hours (8 a.m.- 5 p.m.) to assure quick access.

Paige Greene, the new Director of the TRACS Hub, talks on this episode of Behind the Blue about her first few months as director, how holidays and other non-school factors can contribute to stress, anxiety and depression, the importance of mental health resources for members of marginalized communities, and more.

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.

For more information on how you can access resources, visit the Student Success website.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 18, 2022) – On Tuesday, November 8th, Kentuckians joined their fellow Americans at the voting booth for the 2022 mid-term elections. Federal, state, and local offices were on the ballot, along with a multitude of state constitutional amendments. On a federal level, the election resulted in a divided government heading into 2023, as Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2019, while Democrats retained their Senate majority.

On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’ associate professors Dr. Emily Beaulieu Bacchus, who specializes in comparative politics, and Dr. Stephen Voss, who specializes in voting behavior and political methodology, join us to discuss the impact of these elections on a local, state, and national level. They offer insight on factors that may have swung elections from one side to the other, the shakeups in party leadership for both parties, how this year sets the stage for the 2024 elections, and more.

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] (mail to: [email protected]) or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 4, 2022) – For UK Associate Director of Recruitment Clayton Abernathy, the year-round job of academic recruitment goes hand-in-hand with a lifelong love of the University of Kentucky.

Originally from Crescent Springs, Ky, Abernathy graduated in 2016 from UK with a degree in broadcast journalism and political science. He notes that his time on campus also involved serving as president of Theta Chi fraternity, morale coordinator of DanceBlue, and news director of student-run WRFL 88.1-FM, and that his involvement in campus organizations helped him grow as a student, person, and leader.

As a recruiter, he covers Kentucky resident recruitment in Bullitt, Oldham, and Spencer counties, along with Michigan and Wisconsin. On this episode of Behind the Blue, Abernathy talks about what recruiters do and how they help potential students and their families, advice for students navigating the challenge of choosing a college or university, important deadlines coming up for potential Wildcats, and more.

‘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. (October 27, 2022) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION.

Primary elections in Kentucky and across the country are only weeks away and this fall promises hotly contested mid-term contests, with control of the Congress in play for Democrats and Republicans. At the same time, states across the country – including Kentucky – are engaged in redistricting of federal and state legislative districts as required every 10 years following the national census.

UK Political Science Professor Stephen Voss has a distinct and deep perspective on all of these issues. Recently, he provided expert testimony as part of litigation over Kentucky’s legislative redistricting. He also has provided his insights on the effectiveness of messaging and ads appearing already in the race for mayor in Louisville.

In this episode of Behind the Blue, Voss discusses all of these issues as well as the national and state political landscape during a tumultuous period in Kentucky and across America.

"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. (October 20, 2022) – THIS EPISODE IS AN ENCORE EDITION.

In his first job with the Department of History at Florida Atlantic University, Derrick E. White says he wanted to “lean into the local” with his approach to teaching. It was a learning experience for both himself and his students, and an approach he continued with his second school, Dartmouth, which he says posed a different challenge because fewer students are local to the area.

White is now a full professor of history and African American and Africana Studies at the University of Kentucky. A native of Lexington, he has a wealth of local history with a personal connection, as he focuses on modern Black history, sports history and intellectual history.

Most recently, he is the author of Blood, Sweat, & Tears: Jack Gaither, Florida A&M, and the history of Black College Football. Professor White also is the co-host of The Black Athlete podcast, which discusses the history of the Black athlete in a contemporary conversation and context.

In this edition of Behind the Blue, Professor White talks about his scholarship, how it informs his teaching and his upcoming projects that focus on the intersection of race and sports against the backdrop of a famous Kentucky basketball team, not called the University of Kentucky.

"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. (October 13, 2022) – Homecoming at the University of Kentucky is a week full of opportunities for students and alumni to continue the tradition of what it means to be a Wildcat. This year, UK celebrates its 107th Homecoming week. The UK Alumni Association, Student Organizations and Activities, Black Student Union, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Student Activities Board, the Office for Student Success and many other groups have been working hard to make Homecoming week a special time in the lives of students, alumni and all who participate.

The UK Alumni Association will also welcome the Golden Wildcats from the Class of 1972 for a variety of 50th reunion activities. A full list of Golden Wildcat Society reunion activities and registration information can be found on the UK Alumni Association’s website.

From Oct. 10-14, there are events for all members of the UK community leading up to the Homecoming football game against Mississippi State University on Saturday, Oct. 15. The Lyman T. Johnson Awards Luncheon, DanceBlue Silent Auction, and National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show are just a few of the annual events that lead into Homecoming weekend, a special tradition on UK’s campus since 1915.

On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, UK Alumni Association Executive Director Jill Smith and this year’s Alumni Association President Antoine Huffman, highlight some of the events of Homecoming week, the overall mission and worldwide reach of the Alumni Association, how students and alumni can get involved, and more.

‘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. (October 6, 2022) – The Trauma Program Office is part of the UK HealthCare Trauma/Surgical Services service line. The team provides the day-to-day administrative operations for maintaining the UK HealthCare Chandler Hospital Adult Level I Trauma Center and the Kentucky Children’s Hospital Pediatric Level I Trauma Center.

The program office operates in accordance with the specifications of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) national standards and criteria of the Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient.

Its mission, vision and goals are focused on using UK HealthCare resources to promote excellence in trauma patient care for our Adult and Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Centers.

Amie Peel and Baillie McCane both work in the UK Trauma Program Office, Peel as a Trauma Education Coordinator, and McCane as a Trauma Outreach Coordinator. On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, they both talk about trauma preparedness, trauma care and injury prevention programs offered by their office, and some key tips on what people can do to be prepared for trauma care situations.

‘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. (September 29, 2022) – A collaboration between Kentucky Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center brings together the expertise of Kentucky’s top hospital and one of the country’s best children’s hospitals to create one of the top pediatric heart programs in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Entering its fifth year, the innovative Kentucky Children’s Hospital Joint Heart Program follows the one-program, two-sites model, which means pediatric cardiology experts and a team of pediatric heart surgeons at Kentucky Children’s Hospital benefits from the support of other pediatric heart specialists at Cincinnati Children’s to provide a full spectrum of children’s cardiology services. This collaboration provides Kentucky families with the reassurance of knowing they have access to exceptional heart treatment for children close to home.

Dr. Carl Backer is chief of pediatric cardiac surgery and director of the Joint Pediatric Heart Care Program. Dr. Backer joins KCH from the Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, where he served as the surgical director of the pediatric heart transplant program and the A.C. Buehler Professor of Surgery since 2001. He has been an attending surgeon in the division of cardiovascular-thoracic surgery since 1988, and served as head of that division from 2008 to 2018.

On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Dr. Backer talks about the state of the program on its fifth anniversary, the importance of the program for the people of Kentucky, and more.

‘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.