'Behind the Blue': UK's Commitment to Inclusive Excellence
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2019) — The University of Kentucky is recognizing multiple anniversaries this academic year, including 70 years of integration on campus, 50 years of black studies at UK and 10 years of the UK Office for Institutional Diversity. UK's diversity efforts have also been recognized nationally in recent years by publications like Forbes and INSIGHT Into Diversity, who has named UK a Diversity Champion three years running.
But the work is far from over, and UK Vice President for Institutional Diversity Sonja Feist-Price says UK continues to strive for inclusive excellence.
"Every individual on our campus adds value. Everyone’s voice on our campus must matter," Feist-Price said in a recent blog post. "I am grateful to work on a campus that deeply values and recognizes the significance of diversifying our student body, celebrating our unique backgrounds, and accepting and supporting all individuals as they embrace their authentic selves."
On this week’s episode of "Behind the Blue," UK Public Relations and Strategic Communications sits down with both Feist-Price and Lance Poston, executive director of UK Inclusive Health and Campus Partnerships, to discuss ongoing efforts to make the university a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.
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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.