'Behind the Blue': Homecoming Week 2026 with Kelly Holland and Jill Smith

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 2, 2026) — For generations of University of Kentucky alumni, Homecoming has offered an opportunity to return to campus, reconnect with old friends and celebrate the traditions and experiences that helped shape their time at UK.

With UK's 2026 Homecoming Week just days away, the UK Alumni Association is preparing to welcome Wildcats back to campus while also creating opportunities for current students to make Homecoming memories of their own.

On this episode of "Behind the Blue," Kelly Holland, incoming president of the UK Alumni Association, and Jill Smith, vice president for stakeholder engagement and executive director of the UK Alumni Association, discuss this year’s Homecoming festivities, the many ways alumni can remain connected to UK and Holland’s own journey from an involved UK student to a leader within the university’s alumni community.

For Holland, that journey began during a student experience that touched nearly every corner of campus life. She worked two campus jobs, participated in intramurals and student organizations, served as president of her sorority and was named UK Homecoming Queen. She earned two degrees from UK and later worked in undergraduate admissions, eventually serving as director of recruitment.

Her connection to the university continued after leaving UK professionally. Holland became involved with the Fayette County Alumni Club and went on to serve the university in several volunteer leadership roles, including as an alumni trustee.

“I knew that I loved the university and I wanted to give back,” Holland said. “I felt at home with the association. It was a big family.”

As she begins her year leading the Alumni Association, Holland says one of her priorities is encouraging fellow alumni to find their own way to remain part of that family.

“I really want people to give back, and whatever that looks like for them, whether it’s time, talent or treasure,” Holland said. “If it’s five minutes, if it’s wearing a UK hat in the airport and saying, ‘Go Cats,’ I want people to feel connected to the university and give in the way they want to give.”

That connection will be on display throughout Homecoming Week.

This year’s activities include longstanding traditions such as Homecoming royalty and the football game, along with newer events that continue to evolve with UK’s changing campus.

Among them is the Homecoming Block Party on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Alumni Commons, a family-friendly event open to the community featuring games, interactive activities and food. The Alumni Association will also take its “Swag Cab” around campus during the week, engaging students with giveaways, trivia and appearances from members of the UK community.

Homecoming Weekend will also include the annual Lyman T. Johnson Awards celebration, recognizing a student and alum from each college who embody the spirit of Lyman T. Johnson.

Another Homecoming tradition welcomes some of UK’s longest-standing alumni back to campus. The Golden Wildcat Reunion will celebrate the Class of 1976 as its members mark 50 years since graduation. Members of the class will be inducted into the Golden Wildcat Society and participate in activities throughout the weekend.

For Smith, those returning alumni offer a reminder that while UK’s physical campus has changed dramatically over the decades, the memories and connections alumni have to the university remain.

“While so much is different, there are some things that are the same,” Smith said. “I think a lot about the paths that they walked.”

Those paths are not limited to Homecoming Week. The UK Alumni Association supports approximately 60 alumni clubs across the country, along with special-interest constituent groups, career services, mentoring and networking opportunities and other programs designed to help Wildcats maintain a connection with UK throughout their lives.

The association’s online Wildcat Network connects alumni and students for networking and mentoring, while alumni career services offer individual and group support for graduates navigating career changes and even the transition into semi-retirement.

The Alumni Association also helps recognize excellence on campus through programs including the Great Teacher Awards, the university’s longest continuously presented award recognizing outstanding teaching. More than 300 UK faculty members have been honored through the program, which begins with student nominations.

For Holland, all of those opportunities reinforce the idea that being part of the UK community does not end at graduation.

“It doesn’t have to be on a grand scale, but every little bit will help,” Holland said. “There’s so many ways to give back and you can, big or small, we want you to be a part of this Big Blue family.”

For the latest schedule and information about 2026 Homecoming Week activities, visit UKHomecoming.com.

Alumni interested in reconnecting with UK, joining the Alumni Association, finding a local alumni club, updating their information or exploring upcoming events and programs can visit UKAlumni.net.

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This interview has been edited for time and clarity.