SOAR joins UK’s Advancing Kentucky Together Network
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 9. 2026) — Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) became the latest Kentucky organization to join the University of Kentucky’s Advancing Kentucky Together (AKT) Network at the SOAR Summit Oct. 8, in Corbin, Kentucky.
This formalized relationship will create a more intentional connection between UK’s statewide education, research, healthcare and outreach missions and SOAR’s regional programs, partnerships, convening capacity and implementation infrastructure.
“The partnership is designed to move beyond periodic collaboration,” said Reed Atkins, executive director of SOAR. “It will establish a framework through which UK and SOAR can identify challenges together, connect the right people and resources, develop solutions, and create measurable opportunities for Eastern Kentuckians and their communities.”
As part of the agreement, SOAR and UK have partnered to co-create solutions that expand opportunity and strengthen opportunities throughout Appalachian Kentucky, including:
- Co-promote SOAR’s innovative talent-attraction initiative — EKY Remote — to UK alumni, students and other UK-connected audiences who may be interested in building their lives and careers in Eastern Kentucky. EKY Remote is designed to recruit remote workers, entrepreneurs and families to live in Eastern Kentucky.
- Collaborate to convene at least two strategic meetings annually focused on issues of significant importance to Eastern Kentucky. SOAR and UK will work with appropriate UK representatives, including faculty, researchers, UK Cooperative Extension staff and members of the AKT Network to identify topics based on regional priorities and emerging needs.
- Explore opportunities to connect students and alumni with the region through career awareness, internships, entrepreneurship, community engagement, research, leadership development and service.
- Connect the breadth of UK’s knowledge and expertise with SOAR’s regional infrastructure. SOAR regularly works with local governments, employers, nonprofits, education providers, entrepreneurs, workforce organizations, healthcare organizations, economic development professionals and community leaders throughout Appalachian Kentucky. SOAR and UK will collaborate to bring expertise across disciplines that intersect directly with many of the challenges and opportunities facing partners and communities.
Joining the AKT Network is a natural extension of the years-long UK and SOAR relationship. UK HealthCare was the first SOAR sponsor and has continued to support the organization throughout the years.
“We are honored to welcome SOAR into the AKT Network,” said Dave Melanson, executive director for external relations at the University of Kentucky. “Both of our organizations are committed to partnering and engaging in communities across Kentucky. We look forward to working together to identify opportunities and developing solutions that ultimately lead to a stronger, healthier and competitive Commonwealth.”
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.