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SPARK, which was launched last year by UK’s Center for Health Equity Transformation (CHET) and Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), is a year-long community-engaged program for undergraduates focused on research related to health equity.

“By seeking books that explore the intersections of sports and racial and ethnic histories through the racial dynamics of gender, culture, masculinity, sexuality, and power through biography, community, film, literature, and oral history, the series opens a new analysis of American sport and culture,” said Ashley Runyon, University Press of Kentucky director.

Recently, I was grateful to have a conversation with Dr. Stephanie White, associate dean of diversity and inclusion for the UK College of Medicine. Dr. White joined the University of Kentucky in January 2020, and she is currently a member of the DEI Leadership Team.

Five recently hired faculty members associated with the Department of African and Africana Studies in the College of Arts & Sciences are broadening the range of diverse and inclusive course offerings to University of Kentucky students. 

On this episode of "Behind the Blue," UK Public Relations and Strategic Communication’s Carl Nathe talks with Prendergast about developing partnerships across campus, keeping students engaged in programs with work opportunities and mentorships, and more.

In August, Stevens-Watkins was appointed UK’s Assistant Vice President for Research in Diversity and Inclusion after President Eli Capilouto announced a five-year, $10 million commitment to sponsor UK research focused on racial disparities and inequity.

“We have, essentially, invented a new way of doing research. By using publicly available podcasts, anyone can go back and listen to participants’ conversations in full and make their own conclusions about what was discussed,” Vasquez Heilig said.

Founded in 1896 in a time where Black women were not permitted in other prominent feminist organizations, the NACWC Inc. is the first organization created specifically for Black women. The WISE chapter at UK will be the first chapter of the association in Kentucky.

As a recipient of the annual HEED Award, a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout their campus.

The award recognizes her work on the Jewish Kentucky Oral History Project and the building of Jewish Kentucky-related holdings within the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.