Ignite your passion for engagement work alongside UK faculty and staff from every part of the university at the second annual Land-grant Engagement Academy September 11 and 12.  

The two-day symposium will include opportunities to engage in discussions with colleagues, learn about projects that could lead to campus-wide collaborations and tour models of campus-community engagement efforts within the state.  

The UK Engagement Academy, developed under the leadership of Nancy Cox, Vice President of Land-grant Engagement and Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment dean, brings together faculty and staff with a common interest in engagement work. Rooted in the ethos of land-grant engagement, the initiative fosters, facilitates and supports collaborative endeavors that address critical questions and pressing needs within Kentucky. 

Through expansive partnerships spanning the university, extension system and communities, UK Land-Grant Engagement’s vision advances and serves Kentucky through collaboration. Last year the symposium hosted 39 UK faculty and staff. These participants learned about the applied scholarship of engagement and opportunities to work alongside communities in partnership with the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.  

“I felt so lucky to participate in the Land-grant Engagement Academy,” said Melody Flowers, assistant vice president for economic development and real estate. “I was able to explore multiple extension locations and meet amazing extension staff. The Academy introduced me to a wonderful network of community minded, engaged researchers and staff here on campus who have become friends and collaborators.”  

The Engagement Academy provides opportunities for participants to connect and brainstorm on future engagement projects. Several participants applied for the land-grant engagement awards disbursed at the beginning of 2024. These awards funded creative and collaborative opportunities to support community engagement by bringing Cooperative Extension and departments across the university together. 

“It was such an honor to be a part of the inaugural Land-grant Engagement Academy and have the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals,” said Jenni Jinright, manager, Healthy Kentucky Initiative, Office of the Executive Vice President of Health Affairs, UK HealthCare. “The connections I made during the academy have already led to two new collaborative programs addressing critical health disparities in our community. I encourage everyone to apply!”  

The 2024 Engagement Academy will:  

• Educate new and current campus-based UK personnel on the pivotal role Cooperative Extension plays in affecting change across the city of Lexington, the region and the state. 
• Spotlight and celebrate the impact of existing land-grant engagement programs that connect campus with communities across the Commonwealth. 
• Provide support to UK scholars dedicated to engagement, ensuring their invaluable contributions are recognized and valued. 
• Open opportunities to a second round of land-grant engagement awards, which are anticipated in 2025.

Space is limited. Interested individuals are invited to apply here. The application deadline is June 7. To learn more about the Engagement Academy and Land-grant Engagement, visit engagement.uky.edu.  

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The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.