‘Behind the Blue’: Introducing ‘The Business of UK,’ a new recurring feature exploring the university’s core operations
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 19, 2025) – Across the Commonwealth, the University of Kentucky fulfills its land-grant mission through teaching, research, service and health care — from students discovering their passions, to researchers making breakthroughs, to clinicians providing critical care in communities of every size. Behind the work that most Kentuckians see, however, is a complex network of decisions, partnerships and operational systems that keep the university and UK HealthCare running every day.
This week, we’re launching a new recurring feature on “Behind the Blue” called “The Business of UK,” designed to take listeners inside that part of the institution. This series will break down major business questions and explore the principles and processes that guide UK’s financial and operational decisions.
Leading this new feature is Eric Monday, Ph.D., UK executive vice president for finance and administration and co-executive vice president for health affairs. From large-scale partnerships to everyday budget decisions, Monday will spotlight topics and welcome guests to help listeners better understand the frameworks behind the university’s most significant business relationships and strategic choices.
Future installments of “The Business of UK” will explore the university’s relationship with JMI Sports, the development of BBNIL (UK Athletics’ name, image and likeness strategy), and other topics including budget structure, tuition setting, capital projects and more.
Listeners are invited to participate in shaping the series by submitting questions and topic suggestions via email to businessofUK@uky.edu.
“Behind the Blue” is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university.
“Behind the Blue” is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of “Behind the Blue” can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
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.