Story originally appeared in UKNow on Feb. 8, 2024 by Christopher Carney.
The University of Kentucky Office of Land-Grant Engagement has announced nine projects — that will focus on community engagement — are receiving supporting funds. This engagement funding will expand collaborative efforts between UK and partners across the Commonwealth while addressing important public needs — strengthening outreach and extension efforts in Kentucky.
“We are excited to see how these projects enhance engagement work,” said Nancy Cox, vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “Finding new and collaborative opportunities are essential in carrying out our land-grant mission of improving lives and advancing Kentucky.”
The nine proposals selected for funding demonstrated outstanding partnerships both within and outside of UK, including important connections with Cooperative Extension Service.
Awardees and the primary contacts include:
- Arts Preparedness in Kentucky: Leah Hamilton, UK College of Fine Arts Department of Arts Administration
- Appalachia Corps: Kathryn Engle, UK Appalachian Center and Appalachian Studies, UK College of Arts and Sciences
- Assessing Access to Care: Melody Ryan, UK College of Pharmacy
- Building Bridges of Trust: Sarah Geegan, UK College of Communication and Information
- Building Community of Practice: Nicole Breazeale, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Community and Leadership Development; Margaret McGladrey, UK College of Public Health
- Empowering STEM: Philip Lee, UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
- Equipping Extension Professionals: Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- Growing Our Own: Melody Flowers, UK Economic Development Collaborative
- Together We Can: Maria Cahill, UK College of Communication and Information
UK Engage’s visioning process produced this competitive grant program, identifying strategies and goals for advancing land-grant engagement and aligning funding with important priority areas. Those priorities include industry and workforce development, health and wellness, community vitality and economic development, youth leadership and service, community areas, and the land-grant university partnership.
The UK Engage website features a full list of projects, partners and brief descriptions.
To learn more about the Engagement Academy and Land-Grant Engagement, visit https://engagement.uky.edu.