The University of Kentucky Land-grant Engagement launched the first Engagement Academy cohort in 2023. The Engagement Academy was designed to build a culture around engagement, fostering creative opportunities to build multi-disciplinary partnerships around community-level work. 

Now in its second year, a new cohort was able to participate in a valuable two-day experience— learning more about the principles of community-engaged scholarship and discovering new opportunities for collaboration. The Engagement Academy was a result of recommendations identified through UK Engage, led by vice president for land-grant engagement and Martin-Gatton CAFE dean Nancy Cox. 

Engagement Academy – Day One 

The first day consisted of seminars, roundtable discussions and a review of projects for campus-wide collaborations led by UK faculty, extension and college, unit leaders. Participants were welcomed by Kenneth Jones, extension professor and engagement academy director. 

“The Engagement Academy serves as a connector for scholars and Extension professionals who are eager to work in tandem to collectively improve communities across the commonwealth,” Jones said. “This has sparked the interest of faculty, staff and students through presentations from nationally recognized engagement experts, providing funding opportunities that have generated creative collaborations.” 

Cox and Laura Stephenson, associate vice president of land-grant engagement and associate dean, and UK Cooperative Extension Service (CES) director, spoke about the land-grant mission and the value of making a collective impact through engagement. 

The keynote speaker was Diane Doberneck, faculty and professional development director for the Office for Public Engagement and Scholarship at Michigan State University. Doberneck spoke about building a strong academic foundation and how engagement is reciprocal. 

Doberneck explained that community-engaged scholars and practitioners will value and apply the tacit knowledge of community members into their engagement work. Furthermore, community engagement involves discovering external partners, listening to the community, finding financial support, sharing with the public and documenting the impact. 

Engagement Academy – Day Two 

The second day included an extension, engagement tour of parts of the Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability property located in Breathitt County.  

The mission of the Robinson Center is to enhance sustainable livelihoods and promote the flow of economic, ecological, and social benefits from the land, natural resources and communities of Eastern Kentucky and the Appalachian region. 

Headquartered at the facility formerly known as "Robinson Station," it includes operations involving Robinson Station, Robinson Forest and the Wood Utilization Center. 

Robinson Center Director Daniel Wilson welcomed the engagement academy participants, first providing an overview of the property. Since the historic flood in Eastern Kentucky in 2022, the Robinson Center has been proudly rebuilding.  

Wilson and his team spoke about some of their upcoming building installations, including a new greenhouse and pavilion, chemical storage building, the first livestock research barn and more. They also talked about their engagement initiatives in Breathitt County, housing outreach projects in Eastern Kentucky and the 100-year history of the popular Robinson Wood Utilization Center (RWUC).

Chad Niman, forest products specialist and Robinson Center assistant director, presented an overview and shared partnership opportunities for RWUC. Since the facility’s dedication in 1963, the 14,000-square-foot installation has become a hub for community engagement with the forestry industry and woodworking activities. For Niman, RWUC perfectly aligns with UK’s threefold land-grant mission. 

“The Robinson Wood Utilization Center encompasses teaching, research and extension,” Niman said. “With extension specifically, we offer industry training, workshops for county-level extension groups, an entrepreneurship program, product development and youth programs. We offer a lot to engage and support our community.” 

Under supervision, participants had an opportunity to learn and operate some of the machinery, while taking home their own cutting board. 

“There’s so much that people don’t know about the Robinson Center, but once you do, you will want to come back,” Wilson added. 

Following a tour of the property, the group visited the Breathitt County Extension Office in historic downtown Jackson. Outside of the extension office, by the new community garden, participants interacted with Jackson County mayor Laura Thomas, who reinforced the importance of community engagement and partnership. 

The two-day experience was inspiring for Engagement Academy participant Kim Kluemper, UK director of business development. 

“I was amazed and delighted,” Kluemper said. “The community outreach efforts, focusing on engaged scholarship truly embodies the university’s lang-grant mission.” 

Request for funding proposals 

Engagement funding supports innovative projects that provide residents of the commonwealth with actionable knowledge and skills they can use to improve their lives, livelihoods and/or communities. Engagement funding is intended to expand collaborative efforts between UK, CES and engaged partners across the state while addressing important public needs. 

The UK Land-grant Engagement announced a request for funding proposals for UK faculty and staff. This second round of grant funds will continue supporting innovative projects, providing Kentuckians with knowledge and skills to improve their lives and communities. Proposals due by Oct. 10.  

To learn more about the UK Engagement Academy and Land-grant Engagement, visit engagement.uky.edu.

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