Student News

'UK at the Half': Meet UK PFA's Family of the Year

Meet the University of Kentucky Family of the Year.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 20, 2021) — For this "UK at the Half," the University of Kentucky Parent and Family Association's Nicki Jenkins explains the importance of families as a part of the college experience — and introduces the winner of UK's Family of the Year, the family of College of Agriculture, Food and Environment sophomore Mikayla Mika of Yorkville, Illinois. 

During the UK game on Saturday, Mika's family — her parents Cheryl and Ron and her sister, Lexi — were recognized for their role of support and dedication during her UK journey. 

"UK at the Half" airs during halftime of each UK football and basketball game broadcast on radio and is hosted by UK Public Relations and Marketing. To hear the "UK at the Half" interview, click on the play button above. 

The family of Mikayla Mika (left), UK's Family of the Year, Cheryl (Mikayla's mom), Lexi (sister) and Ron (dad).
The family of Mikayla Mika (left), Cheryl (Mikayla's mom), Lexi (sister) and Ron (dad), UK's Family of the Year.

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.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.