VIDEO: Why This UK Professor's Students Call Her a 'Rock Star'

Video produced by UK Public Relations and Marketing. To view captions for this video, push play and click on the CC icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. If using a mobile device, click the "thought bubble" icon in the same area. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 23, 2018) — Milena Minkova's students realize they are learning from one of the premiere Latin speakers in the world.

But that's not the only reason why they nominated her to be a 2018 Great Teacher. 

They applaud Minkova, who teaches in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures of the UK College of Arts and Sciences, not only for her ability to teach, but to really connect with her students.

Laura Manning, a graduate student in educational sciences, admires Minkova for her expertise. “The depth of subject knowledge she has cultivated is astounding, really, and it comes forth in every professional context. She is very wise in the presentation of content, so that students are engaged. Her responses to students’ questions are competent, comprehensive and comprehensible.” Manning went on to praise Minkova’s creativity in the classroom. “She gives voice to the people of the past, so that it comes alive. She teaches her students to hear these voices when reading literature.” She was full of admiration when she describes the comfort students feel in Minkova’s presence. “(She) is a professor that students are comfortable to go to in order to discuss not only matters directly relating to coursework … , but also for navigating difficult life situations and striking a career-life balance.”  

Watch the video above to discover why the student who nominated her to win the 2018 Great Teacher Award says Minkova is indeed a "rock star."  

Award recipients were honored at the UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award Recognition Dinner last month at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington. They were recognized during the Vanderbilt University vs. Kentucky men’s basketball game later that evening as well.

The Great Teacher Award, started in 1961, is the longest-running University of Kentucky award recognizing teaching. In order to receive the award, educators must first be nominated by a student. The UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award Committee, in cooperation with the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa, then makes the final selections. Recipients receive an engraved plaque and monetary reward.

The UK Alumni Association is a membership supported organization committed to fostering lifelong engagement among alumni, friends, the association and the university. For more information about the UK Alumni Association or to become a member, visit www.ukalumni.net or call 1-800-269-2586.