Behind the Blue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 25, 2025) – 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 Great Teacher Award winners for 2025: Channon Horn, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Special Education and Counselor Education in UK’s College of Education.

Horn’s professional career has focused on advocating appropriate educational opportunities for students with disabilities. She has experience in the field of special education as it relates to those with moderate to severe disabilities and those with learning and behavioral disorders.

Horn’s research interests include strategies to actively engage all learners in inclusive environments, the use of evidence based instructional strategies and the implementation of technology to positively impact learners with exceptionalities. She has served as a coach with the Special Olympics of the Bluegrass.

‘Behind the Blue’ is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

'Behind the Blue' is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.  

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 18, 2025) – For more than a century, beginning in 1915, the University of Kentucky has marked Homecoming Week as a celebration of tradition, spirit and community. The week brings together students, alumni, families and friends to honor what it means to be a Wildcat.

Homecoming 2025, held October 12–19, once again features the collaboration of the UK Alumni Association, Student Organizations and Activities, Black Student Union, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Student Activities Board, the Office for Student Success and other campus partners.

This year, the Alumni Association will also welcome the Golden Wildcats from the Class of 1975 for a series of reunion activities, including their formal induction into the Golden Wildcat Society. A full schedule of events and registration details can be found on the UK Alumni Association's website.

From the National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show to the Lyman T. Johnson Awards Luncheon, Big Blue Day at Keeneland, the Alumni Commons Block Party, and the Homecoming Tailgate at the Tobacco Research and Development Center, the week offers opportunities for alumni of all ages to reconnect. The celebration culminates in the Homecoming football game against Texas on Saturday, Oct. 18.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, UK Alumni Association Executive Director Jill Smith and incoming Alumni Association President Tom Mathews reflect on the importance of alumni engagement and the worldwide reach of the Wildcat community. Mathews, a 1993 chemistry graduate and Louisville native, shares his UK journey and career path, while Smith highlights the role of the Alumni Association in keeping alumni connected, supporting signature programs like the Hall of Distinguished Alumni and the Great Teacher Awards, and preparing for the future of a growing alumni base.

"Behind the Blue" is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

"Behind the Blue" is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for most episodes are now embedded in the audio file and can be accessed in many podcast apps during playback. Transcripts for older episodes remain available on the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 11, 2025) – What began as a happy accident between two separate career fairs has grown into one of the most impactful workforce development events at the University of Kentucky. Now in its fourth year, the Kentucky Signature Industries Career Fair is welcoming a new major player — agribusiness — to its collaborative showcase of opportunity.

Hosted by the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the career fair was originally born from a coincidental overlap in scheduling between the college's Ag Equine Programs and the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits. Rather than competing, they joined forces to highlight two of Kentucky's most iconic industries — equine and distillation — for a single event that connects students with employers and opportunities they might never have previously considered.

This year, the Department of Agricultural Economics is officially joining the fair to represent Kentucky's dynamic agribusiness sector, offering students an even broader view of potential careers across the state's signature industries.

"Kentucky is very rich in agricultural history," said Savannah Robin, a lecturer in career and professional development for Ag Equine Programs. "Being able to bring on our agribusiness employers is really important. Many of them overlap and cross collaborate…so that just seemed like a really natural fit to bring them all together."

The 2025 event — taking place September 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Gatton Student Center — is open to students of all majors from across UK and beyond. Last year's fair drew job-seekers from 12 universities and over 80 different majors, including fields like engineering, business, communication, horticulture, data analytics, and computer science.

"I think you're crazy as a student if you don't go to every one of these career fairs you can possibly go to," joked Seth DeBolt, director of the Beam Institute. "You never really know what you don't know. You think, "I might not be interested in that career, but…you find yourself in front of a future employer saying "this, this might just change my mind, broaden my horizons…"

In addition to job opportunities, the fair helps students explore internships, mentorships, and career readiness tools — with a new Student Resource Room debuting this year, including resume printing, wardrobe prep, and free professional headshots.

The fair is also a reunion space for alumni now representing their companies — often returning just a year or two after attending as students.

"One of my favorite things [is seeing our graduates] now on the other side of the table," said Aslihan Spaulding, Department Chair and Professor of Agricultural Economics. "They can see, you know somebody that was in their shoes…I think that's validating for them."

On this episode of "Behind the Blue", Robin, DeBolt and Spaulding discuss the evolution of the fair, the strategic workforce development happening inside UK's signature industries programs, and how UK is helping students discover unexpected career paths while building a strong future for the Commonwealth.

For more information on the Kentucky Signature Industries Career Fair, including student and employer registration, visit Handshake.

"Behind the Blue" is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

"Behind the Blue" is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for most episodes are now embedded in the audio file and can be accessed in many podcast apps during playback. Transcripts for older episodes remain available on the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 5, 2025) – September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and September 10th marks World Suicide Prevention Day — a moment to highlight the importance of open, honest conversations about mental health and the resources available to help those in crisis.

On this episode of "Behind the Blue", Dr. Lindsey Jasinski and Dr. Marc Woods, two of the key leaders behind the EmPATH program at Eastern State Hospital, discuss their decades of experience in behavioral health and suicide prevention, and share how their team is helping Kentuckians find hope during some of their most vulnerable moments.

They discuss the alarming prevalence of suicide—particularly among young people in Kentucky—and offer actionable insight on how to support someone who may be struggling. They also explain how EmPATH, a low-barrier, 24/7 mental crisis emergency unit, is changing the way patients receive immediate, compassionate mental health care—and why that model is quickly gaining national attention.

"Behind the Blue" is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

"Behind the Blue" is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for most episodes are now embedded in the audio file and can be accessed in many podcast apps during playback. Transcripts for older episodes remain available on the show's blog page.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.

UK HealthCare's EmPATH unit (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) is a new emergency unit dedicated to the treatment of patients experiencing a mental health crisis. Located on the campus of Eastern State Hospital at 1350 Bull Lea Road in Lexington, this unit is open 24/7, 365 days a year and is designed to provide immediate access to mental health care and resources. Referrals are not needed to come to EmPATH.

You can also call or text 988, the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a trained counselor — free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

And for Kentuckians, free QPR training (Question, Persuade, Refer) is available at kyqpr.ukhc.org — a one-hour course that could help you save a life.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 28, 2025) – 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 Great Teacher Award winners for 2025: Douglas Klein, a First-Year Engineering senior lecturer and director of the Innovation Center at the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering.

Klein teaches courses including engineering exploration, which introduces students to the innovation, design and problem solving involved in engineering and computer science. He is director of the College of Engineering's Innovation Center, a makerspace that offers tools to help students bring their designs to life for class assignments, team competitions and their businesses.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 21, 2025) – Now in his 15th academic year leading the University of Kentucky, President Eli Capilouto prepares for the start of the fall 2025 semester — a moment he often describes as among his favorite of the year.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, Capilouto reflects on the renewed energy and momentum across campus as students, faculty, and staff begin a new year. He shares how UK continues to fulfill its mission of advancing Kentucky through education, research, service, and care; discusses key challenges and opportunities on the horizon for 2025–26; and outlines how UK's culture of innovation is being shaped by those who call the Commonwealth home.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

This episode has been edited for time and clarity.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 14, 2025) – The University of Kentucky College of Medicine's Department of Neurology is marking its 60th anniversary, celebrating a legacy that began in 1965 with a single faculty member and has grown into a nationally respected center for neurological care, research, and education.

The department, led by chair Larry Goldstein, M.D., has expanded to more than 70 faculty and built a reputation for advancing clinical care across numerous subspecialties — from general neurology, stroke, epilepsy, and movement disorders to neuromuscular diseases, multiple sclerosis/neuroimmunology, child neurology, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-oncology and memory disorders. With a strong commitment to serving the Commonwealth, the department partners with hospitals and clinics statewide, including outreach to rural communities through its stroke care network and traveling pediatric clinics, ensuring Kentuckians have access to specialized care without leaving the state.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Goldstein talks about the department's origins and its evolution into a leader in patient care, education, and research; highlights some of its most impactful programs, including clinical trials and the neuroscience research priority area; and reflects on what lies ahead as the department looks toward its next six decades of innovation and service.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 7, 2025) – Fiction has long offered writers a veil—an opportunity to tell deeply personal stories while maintaining a layer of narrative distance. But what happens when that veil is intentionally thin? When the boundaries between memory and imagination, fact and fiction, are not just blurred but teased and twisted?

That's the space explored in If You Love It, Let It Kill You, the latest novel from Hannah Pittard, acclaimed author and professor in the University of Kentucky's Department of English. Drawing from autobiographical threads, Pittard uses fiction to explore truths that might feel too complex—or too personal—for straightforward memoir.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, Pittard talks about the freedom and risk of writing autobiographical fiction, the influence of teaching and mentorship on her work, and the role that humor and discomfort play in crafting emotionally resonant stories.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 31, 2025) – 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 Great Teacher Award winners for 2025: Sahar Alameh, an assistant professor of STEM education in the UK College of Education.

Alameh's research encompasses two areas: supporting teachers and students in the construction and evaluation of scientific explanations within K-12 science classrooms and developing informed views of science and its nature, particularly within the context of socio-scientific issues.

She is part of a UK research team developing curricula to help students better understand diseases, pandemics and viruses using wastewater through wastewater surveillance.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 18, 2025) – Each year in the U.S., more than 350,000 people experience sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. Survival in these moments depends on two critical factors: immediate bystander response and access to life-saving technology. Yet in many communities—especially in rural or under-resourced areas—those tools remain out of reach.

At the heart of the solution is the automated external defibrillator, or AED. Small, portable, and easy to use, AEDs can drastically increase the odds of surviving cardiac arrest when paired with prompt CPR. But despite their effectiveness, these devices are still missing in far too many schools, offices, churches, and public spaces across Kentucky and the nation.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, we speak with Dr. Shaun Mohan, an electrophysiologist and medical director of Project ADAM at Kentucky Children's Hospital. Dr. Mohan discusses the mission to expand AED access through education and grassroots community partnerships, and how programs like Project ADAM are working to certify schools as "Heart Safe"—ensuring that faculty, staff, and even students are trained and ready to respond in the moments that matter most.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.