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.  

The 2024 awardees include:  

• Appalachia Corps, primary contact Kathryn Engle, UK Appalachian Center and Appalachian Studies, UK College of Arts and Sciences 
• Arts Preparedness in Kentucky, primary contact Leah Hamilton, UK College of Fine Arts 
• Assessing Access to Care, primary contact Melody Ryan, UK College of Pharmacy 
• Building Bridges of Trust, primary contact Sarah Geegan, UK College of Communication and Information 
• Building Community of Practice, primary contact Nicole Breazeale, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Community and Leadership Development; Margaret McGladrey, UK College of Public Health 
• Empowering STEM, primary contact Philip Lee, UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering 
• Equipping Extension Professionals, primary contact Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment  
• Growing Our Own, primary contact Melody Flowers, UK Economic Development Collaborative 
• Together We Can, primary contact 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. Learn more about the Engagement Academy and Land-Grant Engagement, visit https://engagement.uky.edu.

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