March 27, 2025 - Laura Stephenson (Dean of Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment)
Release Date: 03/27/2025
June 4, 2025 - Gosia Chwatko (2025 Great Teacher)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 4, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students. To receive the award, a candidate must: Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK. Have superior knowledge of the subject matter. Have original and innovative classroom presentations. Demonstrate concern for students,...
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May 29, 2025 - Rob Edwards (Advancing Kentucky Together Network)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 29, 2025) – Health isn’t just about treating illness – it’s about access. It’s about education. It’s about the quality of life in every community across Kentucky. In October 2024, the University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees made a bold statement: that UK should become the university that does more than any other in the country to improve the health of the state it serves. The creation of a new initiative, the Advancing Kentucky Together Network, is the next step in UK’s long-standing work to tackle health disparities, boost regional economies,...
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May 22, 2025 - Mark Birdwhistell (UK & Medicaid)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 22, 2025) – As federal lawmakers continue to examine the future of Medicaid, universities and health systems across the country are monitoring potential policy shifts that could influence how care is delivered—especially in states like Kentucky, where Medicaid plays a foundational role in supporting healthcare access. At the University of Kentucky, Medicaid is more than a funding stream—it helps fuel a wide range of clinical services, community outreach programs, and care for underserved populations. Nearly 35% of patients served by UK HealthCare are Medicaid...
info_outline![May 8, 2025 - Linda Van Eldik (Sanders-Brown Center on Aging) [ENCORE] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/188065060?height=50&width=50)
May 8, 2025 - Linda Van Eldik (Sanders-Brown Center on Aging) [ENCORE]
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 8, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE PRESENTATION. The University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is celebrating 40 years of research and community impact. The center is world-renowned for its significant contributions to the field through the decades. As the UK-ADRC celebrates this milestone, we reflect on how the Center has evolved over the years and highlight some of its notable achievements. This episode of Behind the Blue features a conversation with Dr. Linda Van Eldik, Director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging...
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May 1, 2025 - Sophia Goodin & Sophie Ciaverelli (Spring Graduate Spotlight)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 1, 2025) – As the University of Kentucky prepares to celebrate its newest alumni during Commencement ceremonies on May 9th and 10th, each student walking across the stage carries a unique story of transformation and impact shaped by their time on campus. Earning a degree in any field demands dedication, perseverance and countless hours of study, but the experience of UK often provides much more, equipping students with skills and perspectives gained through community engagement, hands-on research opportunities and impactful experiences with the wider world, allowing...
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April 24, 2025 - Molly Reynolds & Anne Marie Bickel (UK's Weekly Retention Meetings)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 24, 2025) – University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto often talks about the university’s overarching mission to advance the state of Kentucky. A key part of that mission is educating more and more students to help expand the workforce across the Commonwealth. Recent enrollment figures reflect this mission with record enrollment, as well as retention and graduation rates. A team from the University of Kentucky recently earned the National Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Excellence Award. The presenting team —...
info_outline![April 17, 2025 - Lance Broeking (UK Transportation Services) [ENCORE] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/187144415?height=50&width=50)
April 17, 2025 - Lance Broeking (UK Transportation Services) [ENCORE]
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 17, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. For those who live and work in urban areas, transportation is often among the top challenges in their daily routines. For Lance Broeking, Director of Transportation Services at the University of Kentucky, addressing these challenges is a constant focus. He leads a department responsible for managing campus parking, transit, and alternative transportation options, working to navigate the complexities of a growing and evolving university environment. In this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Broeking delves into the impact of...
info_outline![April 10, 2025 - JJ Weaver, Nicole Breazeale, & Emily Johnson (Perfect Fit Peer Grief Support) [ENCORE] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/186864810?height=50&width=50)
April 10, 2025 - JJ Weaver, Nicole Breazeale, & Emily Johnson (Perfect Fit Peer Grief Support) [ENCORE]
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 10, 2025) – [THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE] In the summer of 2020, UK Football player JJ Weaver lost both his father and high school football coach in successive months. Weaver, a graduate who plays outside linebacker, says he channeled his emotions into football until an injury later that fall sidelined him and left him with no outlet. Struggling with anger and grief, JJ began falling behind in class and regressing from his teammates, until the UK coaching staff pulled him aside to try and understand what was happening. From there, Weaver’s path eventually led...
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April 3, 2025 - Natalie Tate & Lenzi Dodgen (Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 3, 2025) – The following episode deals with sensitive subject material involving sexual assault, rape, stalking, and intimate partner violence. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs assistance, contact the VIP Center at 859-257-3574 or email . April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, a time dedicated to education, advocacy, and support for survivors. At the University of Kentucky, the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center serves as a confidential resource for students, faculty, and staff impacted by interpersonal...
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March 27, 2025 - Laura Stephenson (Dean of Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment)
Behind the Blue
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 27, 2025) – In December of 2024, long-time agricultural and extension services leader Laura Stephenson was named vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Martin-Gatton CAFE). With a career spanning decades in Cooperative Extension leadership in both Kentucky and Tennessee, Stephenson has worked at every level of the system—from county agent to state director—helping to connect research with real-world solutions for farmers, businesses, and communities. Now, as Dean, she’s leading...
info_outlineLEXINGTON, Ky. (March 27, 2025) – In December of 2024, long-time agricultural and extension services leader Laura Stephenson was named vice president for land-grant engagement and dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Martin-Gatton CAFE).
With a career spanning decades in Cooperative Extension leadership in both Kentucky and Tennessee, Stephenson has worked at every level of the system—from county agent to state director—helping to connect research with real-world solutions for farmers, businesses, and communities.
Now, as Dean, she’s leading the college through a period of transformation, overseeing major facility upgrades, expanding workforce development programs, and strengthening partnerships that bridge agriculture, education, and public health.
On this episode of Behind the Blue, Stephenson discusses her vision for the college, the evolving role of UK Extension in supporting producers of all sizes, and how agriculture touches every aspect of life in the Commonwealth—from farm to table, rural to urban, and beyond.
Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.
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.
To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.