Chellgren Center celebrates grads, names 2026 student fellows and endowed professors
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 6, 2026) — The University of Kentucky’s Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence recognized graduating students, introduced its 2026 student fellows — the program’s 20th class — and announced its 2026-29 endowed professors during an event April 16.
Dedicated to advancing the University of Kentucky’s commitment to student, teaching and program excellence, the center works toward that mission through several programs. The Chellgren Student Fellows Program is open to all majors and begins during a student’s second year at UK. During this time, students receive support in understanding the research process within their discipline, identifying a faculty mentor to guide a spring research project and preparing for the next phase of their careers. Additionally, student fellows (also known as Chellows) have the opportunity to engage in a variety of extracurricular experiences designed to expand their cultural and intellectual perspectives.
2026 Chellgren Student Fellows
- Kate Augspurger, College of Education
- Reema Yasier Awad Basheer Gowi, College of Arts and Sciences
- Robert Bayton IV, College of Public Health
- Reece Bell, College of Arts and Sciences
- Tate Cain, Martin School of Public Policy and Administration*
- Prabas Dahal, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
- Brady Daniel, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
- Mitchell Foshang, College of Health Sciences
- Aubrey Fugitt, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Akasha Glover, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Makayla Hagedorn, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- Kotone Ito, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
- Purani Kannan, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Macy Keim, College of Arts and Sciences
- Jordyn Lofton, College of Arts and Sciences
- Olivia Lorenz, College of Health Sciences*
- Warda Malonda, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Quinn Mandell, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- Madelyn Myers, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering*
- Amalia Oyaneder González, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering*
- Kendra Quaye-Mansell, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Harper Ritchey, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment*
- Nikki Shah, Gatton College of Business and Economics*
- James Shrum, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- Jacob Skinner, College of Arts and Sciences
- Jacob Summerfield, Gatton College of Business and Economics*
- Kaylee Tharp, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Harshith Tummala, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Angelica Victoria-Garcia, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Addison Vieth, College of Arts and Sciences*
* Lewis Honors College student
“The world of research is limitless and very diverse,” said Warda Malonda, an incoming Chellgren Fellow. “As someone who was exposed to research early on and genuinely enjoys participating in it, I look forward to exploring the many ways research can contribute to a better society while continuing to grow academically.”
As the Chellgren Center prepares to welcome its newest fellows, it also recognized graduating Chellows for their academic achievements and leadership.
Graduating Chellows
- Angel Aguilar, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering*
- Anaya Ali, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment*
- Sawyer Arbogast, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
- Maria Arenas Florez, College of Arts and Sciences
- Kiara Baker, College of Arts and Sciences
- Devin Bester, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering* (December 2026)
- Alexander Branch, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering*
- Alyssa Chiarello, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (December 2026)
- Bailey Darbro, College of Communication and Information*
- Elizabeth Elliott, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Beaux Hardin, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Malena Hughes, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment*
- Anna Melchers, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- Leah Moylan, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering*
- Emalie Mullane, College of Arts and Sciences
- Hersch Nathan, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering*
- Brayden Nichols, College of Design*
- Joy Ntakarutimana, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Chloe Olegario, College of Health Sciences* (December 2026)
- Carlee O’Neal, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Charles Petty, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- Andres Phillips, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
- Siena Pilati, Martin School of Public Policy and Administration*
- Hollings Ruml, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Leah Russell, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Samuel Smith, Gatton College of Business and Economics
- Amica Snow, College of Education
- Anamei Walli, College of Arts and Sciences*
- Olivia Walton, College of Arts and Sciences
- Caleb West, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering*
- Drew White, College of Health Sciences
* Lewis Honors College student
In addition to the student fellows, five faculty members were selected as Chellgren Endowed Professors for the 2026-29 academic term.
Chellgren Endowed Professors (2026-29)
- Jason Hans, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- Kayla Johnson, College of Education
- Francis Musoni, College of Arts and Sciences
- Jennifer Osterhage, College of Arts and Sciences
- Nathan Vanderford, College of Medicine
The Chellgren Endowed Professorships are three-year, nonrenewable appointments awarded to tenured faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching and research, with a strong commitment to undergraduate education.
The Chellgren Center will celebrate its 20th class of student fellows in Fall 2026. For nearly two decades, the center has supported undergraduate excellence at the University of Kentucky — empowering students, engaging faculty and advancing academic distinction. Established in 2005 through a gift from Paul W. Chellgren and his family, matched by the Commonwealth, the center continues to expand opportunities for undergraduate research, experiential learning and academic enrichment.
To learn more about the Chellgren Center, visit www.uky.edu/chellgren/.
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 healthcare. 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 $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.