Selected UK students invited to take 2026 Health and Wellness Kentucky Survey
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 4, 2026) — Select University of Kentucky students will soon see an email inviting them to take part in the 2026 Health and Wellness Kentucky (HAWK) Student Assessment — a short, anonymous statewide survey designed to better understand student health and well-being.
“The HAWK survey gives us a data-informed picture of UK student behaviors and attitudes and where we need to focus our prevention and well-being efforts,” said Kimberly Rufra, director of Prevention, Outreach and Wellness Education Resources (POWER). “When students participate, they’re helping shape programs, services and resources that directly support student success overall well-being on our campus.”
HAWK is a statewide collegiate health and wellness survey conducted through the Kentucky Coalition for Responsible Alcohol and Substance Misuse Education, providing meaningful insight into student experiences across Kentucky that can help campus leaders tailor support for UK students.
The survey asks about topics that affect everyday student life, including mental health, stress, sleep, relationships, alcohol and substance use, and experiences with power-based personal violence. The information collected helps UK better understand what students are experiencing and how to improve programs, resources and services that support student success and safety.
A random sample of undergraduate, degree-seeking students ages 18 and older has been selected to participate. The survey will be open Feb. 4-18 and takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. Selected students will receive up to three email invitations during that time.
Participation is voluntary and designed to respect student privacy. No identifying information is collected and results are only shared in aggregate. Students can skip questions or stop the survey at any time, and UK-specific support resources are included throughout the survey and at the end.
Students who complete the survey can enter a drawing for one of 10 $50 Amazon gift cards.
Students who are selected will receive an email with the subject line, “You’ve Been Selected to Take the 2026 Health and Wellness Kentucky Survey (HAWK)!” If you receive the invitation, consider taking a few minutes to participate — your responses help shape the future of student well-being at UK.
Supporting student well-being on campus is part of a broader focus on helping Wildcats thrive. Through the Office of Student Success, UK offers a range of wellness resources, from the Counseling Center and TRACS (Triage, Referral and Crisis Support) to Campus Recreation, disability resources and preventive health programs like POWER, all designed to support students’ mental, physical and social health as part of their overall success at the university.
At the University of Kentucky, students are at the center of all that we do. From the moment you become a Wildcat through graduation and beyond, the Office for Student Success is committed to supporting you. Comprised of more than 40 units, the office is united by one vision — to help students live a life of meaning and purpose. Student Success designs and delivers unparalleled services and supports a community of learners in achieving their wildest ambitions. In the Office for Student Success, this is what we do — this is who we are. Explore Student Success resources.