‘Behind the Blue’: Schyler Simpson on Nationally Competitive Awards
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 12, 2026) — Schyler Simpson, Ph.D., is no stranger to the University of Kentucky. A three-degree UK alum, she has spent years serving students in a variety of roles across campus, including teaching, advising, recruiting and retention, and engagement work in the College of Communication and Information. In her new role as director of the UK Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, she now helps students explore prestigious opportunities such as the Rhodes, Fulbright, Goldwater, Marshall and Truman awards.
Nationally Competitive Awards helps students pursue major scholarships, fellowships and study-abroad opportunities that can shape academic careers and open doors around the world. Despite the large amount of national competition, Simpson believes UK students are just as prepared and motivated to achieve these opportunities, saying, “students should not think that maybe they’re not prepared enough or not ready enough, because this office is definitely proof that they can compete on a national level and win.”
On this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Simpson reflects on the path that brought her to the role, explains how her office works directly with students on everything from identifying opportunities to refining essays and application materials, and discusses the life-changing impact these awards can have on students and why building awareness of those opportunities across campus is a major priority.
“Behind the Blue” is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube 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 production of the University of Kentucky. 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.
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This interview has been edited for time and clarity.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.