Classrooms, laboratories and athletic facilities are filled with middle and high school students exploring new interests through more than 30 academic and athletic camps. From basketball and robotics to chemistry and artificial intelligence, they’re getting an early look at college life while discovering what’s possible.

One of UofL’s newest summer opportunities is theÌęÌęday camps focused on artificial intelligence.

Through AI Thinker Labs, students learn how artificial intelligence works, examine the ethical questions surrounding the technology and discover how it can be used responsibly in fields like marketing, leadership and finance.

By the end of the day, every participant leaves with a project of their own, whether it’s a business idea, marketing campaign or app concept.

“Our goal is to show rising high school students how AI can enhance their learning abilities, not replace them,” saidÌę, an instructor in the College of Business. “My hope is that these students leave with more knowledge and more confidence about how to use AI as they finish high school and enter college, hopefully here at UofL.”

UofL employees like program manager Lexus Gardner offered organizational and logistical planning for the camp, while UofL’s Digital Transformation Center made the opportunity more accessible for learners by offering financial support.Ìę

The initiative reflectsÌę, UofL’s university-wide initiative to proactively and responsibly engage with the opportunities and challenges of emerging AI technologies.

Across campus, hands-on learning continues in theÌęÌę.

The department’s second annual summer chemistry camp has grown from just seven students in its inaugural year to 83 middle and high school participants from across the region.

Led by General Chemistry Lab Coordinator and InstructorÌęMeenakshi Bansal, the program was held over two one-week sessions, giving each camper an immersive experience in a university chemistry laboratory through hands-on experiments and scientific discovery.

Hosted in the department’s modern undergraduate teaching laboratories in the Belknap Academic Building, campers explored how light interacts with matter using visible-light spectrophotometers and investigated concepts including absorbance, fluorescence, phosphorescence and light scattering. For most participants, it was their first experience working in a university chemistry laboratory.

Designed to be largely self-sustaining through registration fees, the camp also prioritized accessibility. Thanks to the support of participating families and a generous donation from Clariant, financial assistance was provided to 29 students, helping make the program possible for young scientists.

The camp was supported by seven undergraduate student leaders who mentored campers throughout the program while strengthening their own leadership, communication and teaching skills.

“There are not a lot of opportunities in chemistry for students to work in a laboratory before college.This gives them that chance,” said Hrishikesh Bhatt, a camp leader.

Roselline Peralta Danger, another camp leader, said the camp “allows students to get leadership opportunities they wouldn’t get anywhere else.”

Whether they’re programming an AI application, conducting chemistry experiments, building a robot or sharpening their skills on the court or field, every camper this summer leaves with something more than new knowledge: a glimpse of what their future at UofL could look like.

Nearly two and a half centuries later, as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, UofL is reflecting on its longstanding connection to the American story. While civic engagement and public education have long been part of the university’s mission, the celebration provides an opportunity to connect those efforts through programs, lectures and student experiences that encourage reflection on the nation’s past, present and future.

That connection was on display when the city’s engraved copy of the Declaration of Independence was placed on exhibit for the public this winter. The historic document had been preserved and stored byÌę, highlighting the university’s role in safeguarding pieces of the nation’s history. The unveiling earlier this year also brought together community leaders, students and university representatives, including McConnell Scholars and President Gerry Bradley, forÌę.ÌęThe document is on display at the Sons of the American Revolution Genealogical Research Library through Labor Day.Ìę

While the 250th anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the country’s founding, it also encourages conversations about how the nation has evolved over the past two and a half centuries. Reflection took many forms across campus, including lectures throughout the spring semester.

TheÌęÌęhosted a free public lecture,ÌęThe American Economy at 250. Economists Ryan Yonk and Phil Magness explored the history of the American economy and examined the policies that have most influenced citizens’ well-being, particularly those with the fewest resources. The discussion with students and community members centered on how economic decisions have shaped the nation and what lessons they may hold for the future.

The celebration also extended beyond campus, giving students opportunities to experience the country’s history and landscapes firsthand.

Ìępartnered with theÌęÌęand theÌęÌęto lead a student expedition to Mount Rushmore and the Black Elk Wilderness as part of a United States-themed Alternative Spring Break experience. The trip allowed students to engage with some of the nation’s most iconic places while exploring themes of history, citizenship, conservation and public lands.

Ìęstudent NicolĂĄs Blanco originally signed up for the experience to go on a great American road trip. In the end, the experience was even more meaningful than he could have imagined. From visiting landmarks to learning about Indigenous cultures, he found the trip both impactful and rewarding.

“We learned a lot about Lakota culture, and we did some service work with the local community in South Dakota,” said Blanco. “We had a great time. I got to hang out with the kids there; I even taught them how to play guitar.”

These efforts reflect the spirit of the 250th anniversary by inviting students, faculty, staff and community members to explore the nation’s history, engage with its present and imagine its future – together.Ìę

Fulbright success and global reach

TheÌę, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange initiative, remains a cornerstone of UofL’s global success with over 180 scholars, the most of any Kentucky institution.Ìę

This year, four UofL students earned Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards, with an additional three named alternates:

Fulbright recipients include:

• Isabella Bastien ’26, College of Arts & Sciences, will study and research in Australia.Ìę
• Wisal El Majbri ’26, College of Business, will teach English in Taiwan.Ìę
• Hannah Limbong ’26, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, will teach English in Indonesia.
• Chris Millett, College of łÉÈËֱȄ & Human Development PhD candidate and School of Music faculty, will study and research in Norway.Ìę

Fulbright alternates include Adeola Esan, Grace McDaniel and Henny Ransdell.Ìę

Historic firstsÌę

This year also brought historic milestones for UofL in other global awards.Ìę

Richard Wilson ’21, ’22, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, earned a Schwarzman Scholarship,Ìę. The Schwarzman Scholars program prepares global leaders through study in China and engagement with international affairs.

Henny Ransdell ’21, ’25, College of Arts & Sciences, was named as a Luce Scholar and is the first recipient from UofL and the first from any Kentucky institution.Ìę

Ransdell, who has also earned a Fulbright Award and a Princeton in Asia Fellowship, will participate in the highly competitive, yearlong Luce Scholars Program, which provides immersive professional experiences in Asia through individualized placements. Selected from across the United States, the 2026–2027 cohort represents a diverse range of disciplines and emerging leaders.Ìę

Other prestigious awards

Darini Nagarajan, College of Arts & Sciences, was awarded The Goldwater Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes U.S. sophomores and juniors pursuing research careers in math, science and engineering, and is the preeminent undergraduate award of its type in these fields.Ìę

Joshua Schmidt, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, was named a recipient of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, a year-long professional fellowship funded by the German Bundestag, the country’s parliament, and the U.S. Congress. For over 40 years, theÌęCBYXÌęprogram has provided participants the opportunity to study and work in Germany.Ìę

Alexis Daniel ’24, ‘25, College of Arts & Sciences and Kent School of Social Work, will study Portuguese in Brazil as part of the Boren Awards, a program that funds up to one year of immersive study abroad in languages and regions of interest to U.S. national security.

Haider Nasir, College of Arts & Sciences, was selected for the Mary Churchill Humphrey Scholarship. This specialized UofL scholarship enables graduates of the College of Arts & Sciences to pursue advanced study in the United Kingdom.Ìę

Emma Posey, College of Arts & Sciences, will participate in English-Speaking Union (ESU) program. ESU is a non-profit educational service organization that offers summer study abroad scholarships for college juniors and Kentucky teachers to promote the advancement of knowledge in an expanding global community.

Four students were awarded, a prestigious funding opportunity that enables students from all disciplines to study or conduct research during the summer semester, building global perspectives and academic credentials that set them apart.Ìę

Recipients:Ìę

• Isaiah Cruz
• Marissa Gibson
• Darini Nagarajan
• Zack WadsworthÌę

More information about prestigious scholars can be found on theÌę.

An impressive 464 student-athletes earned recognition for a GPA of 3.25 or higher for the fall 2025 semester. Overall, the GPA landed at 3.431, marking the 30^thÌęconsecutive semester in whichÌę

Those numbers reflect grit and discipline, but they also represent a behind-the-scenes support system built around one-on-one academic connection. At the heart of that system are UofL’s athletic tutors.

“I never realized the insane workload that student-athletes have,” said Sam Mazzaro, a finance and management double major who has been an athletic tutor for three years. “Most of them have 10- to 12-hour days. They’re doing things constantly, like six days a week usually.”

Tutors work individually with student-athletes to help them unpack challenging material, prepare for exams and build confidence in classes ranging from accounting and Spanish to biology and organic chemistry, as part of a large-scale academic tutoring program that provides approximately 2,500 sessions per academic year across sports and disciplines.

“It’s all very much one-on-one and catered to what that student needs or wants to work on,” said Kayla Martinez, aÌęÌęwho tutors alongside teaching and research responsibilities.

Martinez first encountered athletic tutoring while working as a graduate assistant in academic services. When she saw the need, she jumped in.

“A lot of times they can’t go to office hours with professors,” Kayla said. “Tutoring provides them a space to ask questions with people who are familiar with the context.”

Personalized support

The one-on-one approach is made possible by a robust team. UofL employed 51 athletic tutors in the spring 2026 semester, with staffing typically ranging from 50 to 70 tutors each term.

From breaking down complicated finance equations to drilling anatomy vocabulary, tutors adapt their approach to both the course and the learner. Abby Breeze ’26, aÌęrecentÌęÌęgraduate that double majored in Spanish and biology on a pre-med track, spent much of her time in STEM-heavy sessions.

“With organic chemistry, it’s very problem-based,” Breeze said. “We’ll go through problems together, work them out and then I’ll change one little thing and ask, ‘Okay, what would happen if this was different?’”

Her goal, like many tutors, is to ensure understanding, not just memorization.

“With biology classes, I’ll have them explain things back to me,” she said. “That’s usually how you find what hasn’t clicked yet.”

Mazzaro takes a similar approach in accounting and finance sessions, focusing on simplifying concepts that can quickly feel overwhelming.

“Professors forget that it’s the student’s first time ever encountering this stuff,” she said. “So, I try to break things down into their most basic, understandable forms.”

Those small mindset shifts can lead to big changes. Martinez has seen students who started the semester dreading a class slowly grow more confident.

“They really dislike the class at first,” she said. “Then as you work with them and they start to get it, they’re like, ‘This is actually really cool.’”

Growth on both sides

For Leena Adapa ’26, a recentÌęÌęgraduate, tutoring is about trust and growth for both sides of the table.

“I meet them where they are at, without any judgment,” she said. “You’d be surprised by how much you end up learning as a tutor. It’s not just repeating information you already know. You’re constantly refining how you understand things.”

As UofL continues to reach new academic milestones –ÌęÌę– the impact of athletic tutors is clear. They don’t just support academic success; they help build confidence, relationships and a culture of excellence that extends beyond game day.

Those interested can learn more and apply atÌęÌę

Those “Tech Sundays,” as they came to be known, helped Martin reach graduation this May at age 81 and helped Martin‑Galijatovic push through the final stretch of an equally demanding doctoral program.

This spring, the mother daughter pair will graduate from the University of Louisville, just one day apart. Martin will receive a bachelor of science in , along with minors in business administration and humanities. Martin‑Galijatovic will earn a doctor of social work from the . She also serves as director of faculty affairs at UofL and part-time faculty at the Kent School.Ìę

Their shared academic journey was unplanned but deeply connected.

Martin‑Galijatovic returned to school first, enrolling in the doctoral program in fall 2022 during a period of major transition for their family. That year, Martin’s husband and Martin‑Galijatovic’s father had died, prompting reflection. With her children grown and out of the house, Martin‑Galijatovic decided it was finally time to pursue the degree.

“I always wanted to do this,” Martin‑Galijatovic said. “It was a very difficult program and difficult from the aspect of it was so long.”Ìę

For Martin, watching her daughter navigate doctoral coursework encouraged her own journey. Ìę

“We talk a lot and you know, she would say, ‘Oh I’m so busy. I’m just so under pressure and all that.’ And I said, ‘Look, you can do it. You’re a smart girl, you’re going to do it. There’s no question about it, just stick to it.’ And she did! I’m so proud of her.”Ìę

In early 2023, Martin contacted UofL to ask whether returning to school was even possible. She has earned college credit from various universities over the years but never completed the path for a full degree.Ìę

The answer was yes.

With the help of academic advisors, Martin learned she needed only four additional courses to graduate. She completed most of them online, all except for one class on campus where Martin‑Galijatovic, whose office was nearby, would meet her in the parking garage and walk her to class.

“I didn’t know where to go and she would show me,” Martin said. “Once I learned I could do it myself, I knew if I needed anything she was here to help me.”Ìę

As Martin‑Galijatovic balanced full‑time work, leadership responsibilities and the final stages of her doctoral research, the motivation flowed both ways. When her energy faltered, she thought of her mother.

“Universities are so different than they were back even when I went to undergrad,” she said. “So, I just kept thinking about my mom, if she can do this at the age of 81 and graduate, I certainly at the age of 57 can finish this program.”Ìę

Martin‑Galijatovic’s hooding ceremony is scheduled for May 8 at the L&N Arena, followed by Martin’s commencement May 9 at the KFC Yum! Center. With leading into Mother’s Day, the achievements have blended into a large family celebration.Ìę

For both Susan and Ramie, the experience affirmed something they now say with certainty: At UofL, students of any age, at any stage of life, can succeed.

“We just went through it together,” Martin said.

And together, they will celebrate the finish line they crossed side by side.Ìę

More than 2,000 students who applied for degrees and certificates are expected to participate in commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 9, at the KFC Yum! Center, with two separate sessions at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Ready will speak at both ceremonies.

In a conversation with UofL News leading up to commencement, Ready reflected on his journey as a first-generation student, the experiences at UofL that shaped him and why returning as commencement speaker is especially meaningful.

UofL News: You’ve previously stated that stepping onto UofL’s campus was the moment you felt like you had “made it” as the first in your family to go to college. What did the UofL represent to you then, and what does it mean to return now as the commencement speaker?

Ready: As a first-generation college student, just getting there felt significant. I didn’t come with some big, polished vision of what my career would be. I just knew that being on campus meant that I had an opportunity that my family and I had worked really hard for and I wanted to make the most of it.

Coming back now as commencement speaker is really special because my time at UofL was truly transformative for me as I know it is for all the students. Graduation is one of those moments where you’re proud of what you’ve done, but you’re also standing right at the edge of a lot of unknowns and a lot of opportunity. To be invited back to be a part of that moment with all of these students is truly an honor.

UofL News: As a first-generation college student, how did your time at UofL shape your confidence and expand your sense of what was possible?

Ready: Confidence didn’t come from walking onto campus already knowing I belonged. In fact, I probably had a bit of imposter syndrome and wasn’t sure if I would make it. But little by little, I learned that I could handle more than I thought and I figured out that there were plenty of other people that were figuring it out as they went just like me.

I came from a family that valued hard work deeply. My parents encouraged me to do my best, but there wasn’t a roadmap for what a career like mine could look like. Silicon Valley and the tech world weren’t part of the environment I grew up in – I didn’t even know how to use a computer when I arrived on campus.

That’s one reason UofL mattered so much. It opened the aperture on what was possible and exposed me to people and opportunities that I couldn’t have imagined before. I also benefited from people who gave me nudges in the right direction – professors and mentors who saw something in me and challenged me to dream bigger. One professor, in particular, encouraged me to consider Harvard Business School, and that’s a great example of how important it is to have someone help you imagine a future you might not have imagined for yourself. And, sometimes all it takes is one person who sees something in you before you fully see it in yourself.

UofL News: Looking back, you’ve said some of the hardest moments in your life became the most character-building. Did you have any of those experiences during your time at UofL?

Ready: Absolutely. I think for a lot of first-generation students, one of the hardest parts of college is that you’re not just learning the material – you’re also learning the environment. You’re figuring out how to navigate a world that may feel very foreign, and you’re often doing that without the benefit of a family playbook for how college works. That can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly character-building.

While I was at UofL, I was working two or three jobs at a time along with fulltime coursework because I was terrified of taking on debt. There was a stretch where I would work second shift at a gas station or a call center depending on the night and then go work from midnight to 4 a.m. sorting packages at UPS.Ìę I had an 8 a.m. class – so, I’d sleep a few hours in my car on campus to save time from driving back to my apartment that was 45 minutes away and I’d shower at the gym at the student center.Ìę

That felt really hard at the time but it actually gave me the motivation to take the leap with the first startup I was a part of. I wasn’t thinking I was going to be an entrepreneur, I was just thinking I could have one job instead of three. Later, it would be one of the best examples for me of how the toughest moments can also lead to growth that redefines what’s possible.

UofL News: We hear your connection to UofL is also personal – you met your spouse, Lucy, during your time here. How did that happen, and what memories from those days do you both still hold onto?

Ready: We met in high school but didn’t start dating until freshman year here at UofL. Lucy was a biology major – so we were actually on opposite sides of campus and neither of us realized that the other was going to college here. We randomly bumped into each other outside the student center one day and reconnected over how we were each working through the transition to college.Ìę

We went to UofL in a time before cell phones were popular and we were on completely different schedules. We left notes on each other’s cars to communicate. I still have several of the notes she left for me. She’d often leave a few words of encouragement for me in those notes and her encouragement was a big part of what kept me going, especially in the toughest moments.

That chance encounter was certainly one of the most consequential of my life. We’ve now been together for nearly 30 years, and she’s been an amazing partner through all of life’s journeys. I don’t think any of it would have been possible without her.

UofL News: Many graduates today are stepping into a world that feels uncertain, whether that’s with AI, geopolitical tensions or the ever-changing job market. What advice would you give them about taking risks and moving forward when the path ahead isn’t clear?

Ready: It’s true that graduates today are entering a world that can feel uncertain. But in a lot of ways, uncertainty has always been part of any meaningful next step. The difference now is the pace of change, especially with AI and how quickly industries are evolving.

My advice is not to wait for the path ahead to become perfectly clear, because it rarely does. Instead, focus on building the skills and mindset that help you adapt. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that learning itself is a skill. The people who thrive are not the ones who have everything figured out on day one – they’re the ones who stay curious, keep growing and are willing to take thoughtful risks.

That’s especially true with AI. I think of AI as a tool, not a replacement for people – more in the passenger seat than the driver’s seat. Over time, it’s going to become table stakes for almost every job, much like email or the internet did for earlier generations. The key is not to fear it, but to learn how to use it well and responsibly.

All ceremonies will be broadcast live atÌę. For more information on commencement, visit the .

Coming in at No. 31, the 11-semester, full-timeÌęÌęprovides students with a strong foundation in the science and clinical practice of audiology, progressing from core coursework to advanced clinical specialties. Faculty emphasize evidence-based training through hands-on clinical experiences, interdisciplinary collaboration and research opportunities.

“We are so proud of our innovative curriculum that prepares students like no other program does. It’s rewarding to see those innovations being recognized and emulated by others,” said Shae Morgan, an associate professor and program director of the audiology program. “Our students get clinical and academic preparation at the top of the profession, and we’re thrilled to see that reflected in our increasing rank.”

Community engagement is a central part of the program’s training. Students lead initiatives such as an annual ‘Hear Camp’ for children with hearing loss, conduct community hearing screenings and participate regularly in events like MedFest Special Olympics and Walk4Hearing to promote healthy hearing in the Louisville community. Students also take part in regional and international service trips, including outreach in eastern Kentucky and collaborative clinical work with University of Kentucky students to Belize to perform hearing, speech and language evaluations.

Several other UofL graduate and professional programs also ranked among the nation’s top 50. These includeÌęÌęat No. 29,ÌęÌęat No. 39 andÌęat No. 43. Additionally, two programs saw notable rises in this year’s rankings. TheÌęprograms increased 22 spots to No. 124, while theÌęÌęin the College of Business rose 23 places to No. 114.

All graduate school rankings are published in the 2026 edition of U.S. News & World Report. Graduate education at UofL provides over 130 graduate programs to approximately 5,800 graduate students. More information is available on theÌę

These historical markers are part of a program started in 1949 by the in partnership with community members. The program has installed over 2,400 markers throughout the commonwealth to share the state’s rich and complex history. Several of them can be found across UofL’s campuses, each commemorating influential people, pivotal events and the evolving identity of the university.

Learn more about the significance of six of them:

Louis D. Brandeis

• Location: Near the steps to the right of the east front entrance of the .
• Significance: This marker honors Louis D. Brandeis, a prominent lawyer and Supreme Court justice, who graduated from the UofL School of Law in 1875. He actively supported the rights of speech and assembly, consumer protection and women’s rights. The law school was renamed the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law in 1997.

Brandeis Burial Site

• Location: In front of the law school
• Significance: This marker commemorates the burial site of Louis D. Brandeis and his wife Alice Brandeis, a social activist who supported health care and education.

Founding of Jefferson Seminary

• Location: Off 3rd St. near Grawemeyer HallÌę
• Significance: This marks the site of the original Jefferson Seminary, which evolved into the University of Louisville. April 3, 1798, is the university’s symbolic founding date. On this date, eight Louisvillians pledged financial support for a new school. The Louisville Medical Institute opened in 1837 and merged in 1846 with Louisville College, an outgrowth of Jefferson Seminary. A law school was added, and the new entity was named the University of Louisville in 1846.

Charles H. Parrish Jr.

• Location: In the courtyard between Gardiner and Gottschalk Halls.
• Significance: This marker honors Charles H. Parrish Jr., a noted sociologist and a lifelong civil rights activist, who became the first black professor at UofL when it became integrated. His work as an activist yielded friendships with many Civil Rights era luminaries.

Belknap Campus

• Location: On Third Street in front of Oppenheimer Hall.
• Significance: The University of Louisville’s Belknap Campus was originally the site of the Industrial School of Reform and House of Refuge, founded in 1860. During the Civil War, Union troops used the institution as barracks and parade ground. In 1923, the University of Louisville took over the property, including its original buildings, and named it the University campus. It was renamed the Belknap Campus in 1927 to honor its benefactor, William R. Belknap.

Gottschalk Hall

• Location: In front of the building.
• Significance:ÌęThe most recent addition to the historical markers at UofL. From its completion in 1894 until 1923, the building served as a dormitory for African American girls at the Louisville Industrial School of Reform. UofL acquired the building in 1923 for the chemistry department, then social sciences. Today, it is fittingly the home of the history department. The hall is named in honor of Louis Gottschalk, a distinguished historian of the French Revolution who was a valued member of the UofL history faculty from 1923 to 1927. Learn more

Her mom and younger brother, Carson, a fifth grader, had left for what she thought was a normal doctor’s appointment. Carson had recently joined his first tackle football team and kept telling his family, “It hurts when I get hit.” They teased him at first, but his insistence that “it hurts on the inside” sent him to a doctor and, later that day, the hospital.

Lasher didn’t know any of this. What she did know was that her grandmother picked her up from school – strange. Then her dad was already home – stranger. When she walked in the door, her family sat silently on the couch.

It would take three years and ultimately Carson’s passing before she fully understood the scope of his diagnosis. Carson had a rare germ cell tumor that fewer than 10 people had ever had worldwide.

Lasher holds tightly to her memories of Carson, the way a big sister does. She remembers his thick Southern accent, even though they were from Indiana, and how kind he was to his classmates. She even hopes parts of his personality live on in her, especially his sense of humor.

“I would never admit this to him, but he was really funny in a very sarcastic way,” she said. “Sometimes people pick up on my humor and say, ‘Oh, that’s really funny,’ but it’s not truly mine. I picked it up from him.”

The day Carson died, Lasher remembers when it was finally time to leave the hospital, her dad looked at her, lost.

“We had to start making our way out, and Dad was just standing there looking like, ‘What do we do now?’” Lasher said. “I’m like, ‘Well, what else can we do but do good?’”

That commitment led to the creation of the Carson E. Lasher Foundation, which supports families facing pediatric cancer and other childhood illnesses. It also led Carly to raiseRED.

raiseRED is UofL’s largest student-run philanthropic organization, supporting the Norton Children’s Cancer Institute and the UofL School of Medicine. As part of the Miracle Network Dance Marathon, raiseRED connects students to a national movement dedicated to fighting pediatric illness.

The group’s yearlong fundraising culminated in a 12-hour dance marathon on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Swain Student Activities Center. This year, the Cardinal community raised more than $470,000 inÌęsupport of the Norton Children’s Cancer Institute and the UofL School of Medicine.Ìę.Ìę

For her, the organization’s purpose is simple.

“We get a group of over 500 college kids together to fight for something that’s bigger than themselves,” said Lasher, who leads UofL’s raiseRED as its programming director. “We bring everyone together for this common goal of making good in our world.”

Lasher believes Carson would be proud of her work and her college career as a criminal justice major in the . Set to attend law school in the fall, she imagines he would have joined her at UofL. Today, she continues to honor him through raiseRED, the foundation and the bracelet he once wore that she now keeps with her every day.

“We just try to keep doing good in his name,” Lasher said.

And she does.

Watch the video:

Want to participate in raiseRED? or .

Updated Feb. 23, 2026

That sense of momentum took center stage Feb. 12 when President Gerry Bradley delivered the at Comstock Hall in the School of Music. He emphasized a shared institutional roadmap focused on strategic goals, academic excellence, expanded research impact and deeper community partnerships.

A strategic plan for 2026-2030

Central to that vision is UofL’s , which outlines efforts to make the university a great place to learn, work, discover and connect. Along with each of the strategic plan areas, Bradley noted that the university intends to sharpen its focus on key student‑centered metrics including enrollment, six‑year retention rates, degrees awarded and experiential‑learning opportunities.

Bradley outlined several long‑term priorities that will shape the university’s growth, including:

• New residence halls
• New academic and research facilities (including STEM‑H and Honors)
• A comprehensive campaign for scholarships, buildings and research
• Development of an innovation park
• Intentional workforce and leadership development
• Continued accountability to core values

He also underscored the university’s critical role in improving health outcomes in Kentucky through , calling attention to the training of physicians and UofL’s place as part of the state’s medical safety net.

To Bradley, the plan reflects a collective vision and “roadmap,” noting that “it’s not my strategic plan; it’s our strategic plan.”

Commitment to the vision

Even as higher education institutions across the state and nation face significant challenges, Bradley emphasized that UofL continues to perform well, is financially stable and offers a strong value proposition for Kentucky students and those beyond the Commonwealth.

As part of the strategic plan, Bradley said the leadership team is committed to:

• Funding initiatives outlined in the strategic plan
• Incubating new academic programs
• Advocating for and securing external funding
• Minimizing the impact of financial mitigation on the campus community
• Supporting and continuing student success initiatives
• Holding the team accountable for outcomes in strategic plan

“I am really optimistic for the future,” Bradley said. “We are on the road. It’s going to require us to be disciplined and have a laser focus.”

Bradley also celebrated 2025 as a year of Cardinal success, pointing to record enrollment, retention, housing and accomplishments across colleges, schools and research, along with advancement of critical capital projects.

In closing, Bradley expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the university.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to be your president,” he said.

With a clear strategic direction and a commitment to student and community impact, he said UofL enters its next chapter positioned for continued growth and excellence.

Watch the complete .Ìę