The UNITE Research Priority Area (UNITE RPA) welcomed this year’s cohort of 21 graduate students to the UNITE Predoctoral Research Enhancement Program.

UNITE is led by Danelle Stevens-Watkins, Ph.D., an associate vice president for research and acting dean of the University of Kentucky College of Education. This program was designed by the RPA to support Ph.D. students interested in an academic career with an individualized research program under the mentorship of one or more UK professors, along with research career development activities. Research scholars with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences have the opportunity to engage in workshops and networking events that enhance their success in academia among many people in a global community.

The program will provide a stipend for students in addition to funding to support research-related expenses, such as travel or equipment needs.

“This year we received twice the number of applicants as available funding awards,” said Stevens-Watkins. “Each awardee was carefully selected due to their merits and accomplishments, and we are excited to observe their trajectory toward developing as future scholars in the academy.”

Lauren Whitehurst, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the assistant director of the UNITE program and works closely with scholars as they pursue their research agendas.

“This year we launched our inaugural UNITE Predoctoral Retreat,” Whitehurst said. “During this day-long immersive, scholars were afforded professional development workshops, seminars and peer-to-peer networking opportunities. This was an exciting offering that was informed by a previous needs assessment of our 2023 scholars.”

2024 Cohort

• Maame Abena Afrifa, Pigman College of Engineering

• Raphael Adesiyan, College of Education

• Anne Amegbeha Amissah, College of Communication and Information

• Emmanuel Asante, College of Arts and Sciences

• Ikeola Bodunde, College of Communication and Information

• Kehinde Fagbohungbe, College of Arts and Sciences

• Nuwan Herath Mudiyanselage, College of Arts and Sciences

• Marian Jaitto-Jeffrey, College of Communication and Information

• Jasmine Jester, College of Education

• Christian Keeve, College of Arts and Sciences

• Levone Lee, College of Social Work

• Sharon Leong, College of Arts and Sciences

• Regina Lewis, Martin School of Public Policy and Administration

• Jessica Nwafor, College of Arts and Sciences

• Sayre O’Cull, College of Arts and Sciences

• Hilda Okeyo, College of Nursing

• Olajumoke Oladele, College of Arts and Sciences

• Miranda Ramirez, College of Arts and Sciences

• Maricel Schuler, College of Arts and Sciences

• Refah Tamanna, College of Arts and Sciences

• Brittany Thompson, College of Arts and Sciences   

About UNITE RPA

Created in 2020, the overall goal of the UNITE Research Priority Area is to elevate impactful research at the University of Kentucky by leveraging existing strengths and forging new relationships. The UNITE RPA finds it critical to develop, engage and promote research to impact change and advance Kentucky. UNITE also seeks to foster mutually beneficial relationships between the university, faculty researchers and communities within the Commonwealth. The UNITE RPA is committed to designing research-focused programs that support efforts at the university to inquire, discover and evaluate innovations that encourage shared knowledge and understanding among communities, students and faculty. Learn more about UNITE RPA.