UK Faculty Chosen for SEC Travel Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 14, 2016) — More than 100 faculty members from all 14 Southeastern Conference (SEC) universities will take part in the 2016-17 SEC Faculty Travel Program, the league office announced Oct. 6. Of the more than 100 participants, nine are faculty at the University of Kentucky. The program, in its fifth year, provides support for selected individuals to collaborate with colleagues at other SEC member institutions. "The SEC Faculty Travel Program continues to garner significant interest from faculty members across the conference, and we are encouraged by how our universities have identified a range of individuals to participate," said Torie Johnson, executive director of the SEC's academic initiative, known as SECU. "This program allows us to facilitate collaboration that stretches from the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields to include the arts and community engagement." Through the program, the SEC provides financial assistance for its faculty members to travel to other SEC universities to exchange ideas, develop grant proposals, conduct research and deliver lectures or performances. 

The nine chosen from UK to participate in the SEC Faculty Travel Program are:

· Sunday "Tayo" Adedokun, an assistant professor of animal and food sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment;

· Melinda Ickes, associate professor of kinesiology and health promotion in the College of Education;

· Yang Jiang, an associate professor in behavioral science in the College of Medicine;

· Youngseek Kim, assistant professor of library and information science in the College of Communication and Information;

· Yoko Kusunose, assistant professor of agricultural economics in the College of Agriculture, Food and Enviornment;

· Rebekah Radtke, assistant professor of interiors in the College of Design;

· Monica Visona, associate professor of art history in the College of Fine Arts;

· Irina Voro, professor of piano in the College of Fine Arts; and

· Jonathan Wenk, assistant professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering.

Program participants from each SEC university will travel throughout the academic year. The SEC Faculty Travel Program is part of SECU, the academic initiative of the Southeastern Conference. The SEC supports and promotes the endeavors and achievements of the students and faculty at its 14 member universities. Visit the SECU online at www.thesecu.com/programs/sec-faculty-travel-program/2016-2017-sec-faculty-participants/ for a full list of 2016-17 SEC Faculty Travel Program participants.

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, visit uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Kathy Johnson, 859-257-3155, kathy.johnson@uky.edu or Caroline Kelsey, coke222@g.uky.edu