"see blue." #selfie: Ryan Hoover

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2016) - Want to get to know the people behind some of the biggest student leadership positions on campus? We did, too! That's why we've introduced "see blue." #selfie — a series on UKNow that lets student leaders from across campus tell us a little bit more about themselves and their organizations. Up this week, a 2016 Wildcat Ambassador, Ryan Hoover.

Ryan Hoover, a sophomore special education major, is one of this year's Wildcat Ambassadors. Hoover is from Jamestown, Kentucky, and she came to the University of Kentucky after falling in love with the campus after her first tour while she was a senior in high school. Get to know all about this kind-hearted, football fanatic and UK-loving leader in her "see blue." #selfie.

UKNow: What is your major and what year are you?

Ryan Hoover: I am a sophomore and I'm a special education major.

UK: What is your hometown and how'd you get to UK?

RH: I am from Jamestown, Kentucky. I got to UK through my sister. She graduated in 2014…I mean 2015, same thing. During high school I would come to Lex and visit her. She'd show me around campus and all the cool things she did, and it made me want to be here too.

UK: Tell me about what you do as a Wildcat Ambassador.

RH: We are volunteers that recruit the next class of Wildcats. We help out at "see blue." Preview Nights and starting in late October we will do the Come "see blue." For Yourself event for high schools to come and visit. We give campus tours and help at recruitment events.

UK: How many other Wildcat Ambassadors does UK have?

RH: There are a total of 52 Wildcat Ambassadors this year.

UK: What made you want to apply for the position? 

RH: So, my sister had mentioned the program to me before. I talked to Spencer Tungate and he told me about his former experiences and how it led to him working at the Visitor Center. It seemed interesting and I wanted to somehow get involved on campus with the university.

UK: What are the cool perks?

RH: We get really cool polos! We also get to help with the president's tailgate tent at home football games and we get to meet different people that work at the university in different departments.

UK: What do you do at "see blue." Preview Nights? 

RH: We help greet prospective students as they arrive and answer questions from students, parents and guardians regarding the university. So far, I have helped out with the Lexington Preview Night!

UK: What's the best advice you would tell future Wildcats at these Preview Nights?

RH: I would tell them that they definitely need to schedule a campus tour because you learn a lot at Preview Nights, but you don't get the full experience and feel of the university until you take a tour. When I took a campus visit – that's when I knew!

UK: What else are you involved in on campus?

RH: I was involved in Best Buddies last year. I was in the Ed Life Living Learning Program and I am in a M Group with Christian Student Fellowship this year.

UK: What's your favorite thing to do in your free time?

RH:  If I'm not studying, I like to go to any kind of UK Athletic events – volleyball, basketball, football and baseball.

UK: What's the most memorable thing that took place during your freshman year?

RH: Specifically, the Thursday night football game. It was the first one we had on a Thursday in a really long time! Everyone was so excited and ready to get to the game. We played Auburn, and we lost…but that's okay! It was still fun.

UK: There's so much going on during the fall semester at UK, from football games to Homecoming; classes starting up and Preview Nights – what's one of your favorite things during this time of year? 

RH: I would have to say definitely football games. I love them! Everyone is so excited. I like being around Commonwealth Stadium before the game starts and seeing the fan base of UK come together.

UK: What's your favorite candy?

RH: I love Swedish fish, which is so odd, but I do. If I could have one candy for the rest of my life it would be Swedish fish.

UK: Who would you say knows you best?

RH: My older sister, Blair.

UK: What are three things that are in your backpack that you could not live without?

RH: My laptop, my planner and my phone charger because my phone dies all the time.

UK: What chore do you hate doing in your apartment?

RH: Washing the dishes. Even though we have a dishwasher it's still awful.

UK: What would you sing at karaoke night? 

RH: Either country or anything Taylor Swift.

UK: You're happiest when…

RH: I am at home on the weekends with my whole family.

UK: What impression about UK do you hope to leave on future Wildcats?

RH: I want them to feel that UK is more than just any other school they have visited or read about. It's more than a place that they will just go to class and study; it's a place that will change their lives. It will give them opportunities that they would otherwise never have at another school.

UK: Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?

RH: Leighton Meester.

UK: If you could play one sport in the Olympics, what would it be? 

RH: Gymnastics, because I don't know how they do what they do. I would just like to be able to walk across a balance beam much less do flip on it.

UK: What's your favorite city?

RH: New York City! Oh my gosh, there's so much to do and so many things to see. There are so many cool things that you could experience while you're there.

"see blue." #selfies will appear every other Tuesday on UKNow. Know a student leader we should feature? Contact Rebecca Stratton at rebecca.stratton@uky.edu to nominate someone.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Rebecca Stratton, rebecca.stratton@uky.edu, (859) 323-2395