• Helping paralyzed children take steps

Children with complete paralysis due to spinal cord injuries gained the ability to take steps through an innovative external electrical stimulation technique at UofL’s Kosair for Kids Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery. Through the clinical study, UofL researchers provided combination therapy to five children, ages 7-12, which led to all five of the children taking steps on their own and experiencing improvements in their quality of life. The research is changing the way the medical community understands spinal cord injuries and paving the way for more groundbreaking research.��

• Developing the next generation of clinical researchers

UofL secured $24 million to train clinical researchers and propel work that can save and improve lives. The funding helped launch the , a statewide effort dedicated to accelerating research to improve the health of the community by finding meaningful solutions to chronic conditions like cardiac disease, stroke and cancer.��

• Building the future

Students gained a new state-of-the-art building with classrooms, labs, conference rooms and a makerspace to learn in with the opening of the J.B. Speed School of Engineering’s Student Success and Research Building.��The building will prepare engineering students with hands-on instruction and industry experience, providing infrastructure that prepares the next generation of engineering leaders across the increasingly technology-focused workforce.��

• Puppy love��

One of the most beloved additions to UofL in 2025 is Lily, University of Louisville Police Department’s new certified Crisis Response/Therapy K9, or as we call her – a comfort dog. With fluffy ears and a wagging tail, Lily was brought on board with ULPD to help boost students’ mental health.

• Giving back

A total of 1,931 donors helped raise $2.9 million on UofL’s annual day of giving, Raise Some L, marking another powerful demonstration of the Cardinal spirit and a fifth consecutive year of record-breaking engagement across all 50 states.

• The power of trees

UofL unveiled the Trager MicroForest at Founder’s Square, a 0.65-acre green space and park in the heart of downtown Louisville. The park not only offers a revamped and inviting space for the community to enjoy; it also expands research into understanding the impact of intense urban greening on human health and the wider urban environment.��UofL’s Green Heart Project found that trees can reduce inflammation, which is a risk indicator for heart disease and other chronic diseases.��

• Cardinals lead on the court and the classroom

in the spring semester, marking Cardinals’ elite talent not only in athletics, but also in the classroom.��

• Making impacts across the globe

Nine UofL students earned 2025 Fulbright Awards securing opportunities for research and English teaching assistantships across the world. Since 2001, UofL has been a Fulbright powerhouse, producing over 180 scholars (the most in Kentucky) and earning national recognition seven times.

• Welcoming a Supreme Court legend

UofL presented the Brandeis Medal to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor for her devotion to advancing public service in the legal profession. Sotomayor met with Brandeis School of Law students while she was in Louisville, inspiring the next generation of attorneys to dream big.

• Redefining ranking success

The Carnegie Foundation once again named UofL a Research 1 (R1) institution for its elite status as a top research university and named UofL an Opportunity College and University (OCU) for its work fostering student success. UofL is one of only 11 universities nationwide to earn R1, OCU and Community Engaged designations from Carnegie and is the only ACC school to receive the OCU title.��

Other notables UofL earned this year include:

• No. 84 on the list of U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges, jumping 13 spots from the previous year to achieve the highest rank on record.
• Graduate programs ranking among the best in the nation, including the School of Medicine placing No. 52 for graduates entering primary care and No. 52 for graduates serving rural communities
• Three online programs rated in the top 21% in the country by U.S. News & World Report, including UofL’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology coming in at No. 9 and Undergraduate Business Programs at No. 21.
• Recognition as a Military Friendly® Gold university and a Military Friendly® Spouse university for the fourth year in a row for its dedication to supporting military students. UofL also earned a designation on the��Military Times’ 2025 Best for Vets Colleges����������.��

• Celebrating student enrollment wins

UofL fall enrollment surpassed 25,000 students for the first time and reached a record high fall-to-fall retention rate of 84.1%, showcasing student satisfaction and success. UofL’s record enrollment and retention helped drive Kentucky to lead the nation in one-year gains in undergraduate persistence and retention from 2023 to 2024.

• Moving forward together with new leadership

UofL is pushing for progress in our community, state and beyond under the leadership of Gerry Bradley, who was inaugurated as the school’s 20^th president this year. With a new vision under the��, UofL will continue to push the needle forward in research, student success, community engagement and more to help build a better world. At Bradley’s side will be newly named executive vice president and university provost, Katie Cardarelli. ��

UofL also welcomed in a number of other new key leaders this year, including��Rick Graycarek as executive vice president for finance and administration, Jason Smith as CEO of UofL Health and��Jon Klein as executive vice president for research and innovation. With new leadership across the university, UofL is poised to have an even more successful 2026.��

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The university also earned the designation as a national leader in biology and biochemistry, ranking 35th in the country, while law research earned high marks as 45^th in the world.

This isn’t the first time the Cardinal research efforts have been recognized. UofL is one of only 21 universities nationwide to earn both the Research 1 (R1) and Opportunity College and University designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher ����ֱ��. The classifications recognize efforts not only to conduct impactful research that benefits the local and global communities, but also to support student success through career and research opportunities. Additionally,��UofL is one of 187 universities nationwide and one of only two in the state to receive a designation as an R1 university, highlighting its elite status among research universities across the country.

Faculty aren’t the only ones uncovering breakthroughs in research. Students don’t have to wait until graduate school to conduct research that makes a difference. Through the , undergraduate students can partner with internationally renowned faculty to explore new ideas in their chosen field and gain hands-on experience. Programs like the , offer students the chance to work with a mentor to gain funding for research that gives them a leg up when applying for graduate schools.

When the world takes notice, it underscores UofL’s status as a hub for research excellence, where faculty and students are creating solutions to real-world challenges. From groundbreaking discoveries to hands-on opportunities that empower students, UofL continues to soar as a leader in innovation and impact.

UofL has hundreds of degree programs for students to choose from to gain a valuable education. But UofL also offers a wide range of courses that go beyond core requirements and traditional learning, offering students a chance to dive into unique topics and explore new interests, no matter how quirky.

With such a diverse mix of interesting classes to choose from, Cardinals are able to mix curiosity with their career goals. Whether you’re interested in learning about dogs in society, reality TV, fairy tales or want to learn to play piano, these courses keep learning fresh and exciting and empower students to step outside their majors and into subjects they may have never considered. ��

Check out these one-of-a-kind classes offered at UofL and consider adding one of these hidden gems to your schedule. You might just discover new strengths and perspectives that shape the path to your future.

Creative vibes and culture:��For when you want to spark your inner artist or dive into the beats that defined generations.

• Communicating Hip-Hop Culture

Description:��Analysis of rap music as a communicative force both within and about hip-hop culture. Topics of study include the origins, development and participants of the culture with special emphasis on rap music as the primary vehicle of communication.

• The Rhythm and Blues Revolution and American Culture��

Description:��The history of Rhythm and Blues from its post-WWII origins to the post-Civil Rights Movement era, with particular emphasis on its impact on the U.S. and global popular culture and ideas about race.

• Color Theory and Human Factors in Interior Design

Description:��A visual design theory course that explores the use of color theory and human factors/ergonomics information necessary for analyzing and designing the interior environment.��

Life, land and living things:��Explore how humans, animals and environments shape each other.

• People and Their Food����

Description:��Everyone eats but we eat such different things. This course examines the reasons why, across the globe, we meet our common nutritional needs in so many different ways. We explore food and foodways as products of soil, politics and culture.

• Dogs in Society: An Interdisciplinary Examination of the Human-Canine Connection����

Description:��The course examines the evolution of dogs as human partners in society and delves into the relationship of our species with one another. It explores medical, safety, ethical, regulatory and legal issues, including the American with Disabilities Act and municipal approaches to regulating ownership. It considers behavioral adaptations of both species and some cutting-edge research in canine neuroscience.��

• A Global Perspective of Equine Industry

Description:��A study of the increasing global scope of the equine industry and the economic, political and social forces influencing growth. Attention will be given to the effects of changing political systems, regulation, taxation, exchange rates, global competition, demographics and other forces.

• Geography of Kentucky

Description:��Spatial patterns and processes of the Commonwealth; emphasis on human-environment interaction, population, settlement and economic base.

Talk, trends and TikToks: Sharpen your persuasion skills, dissect reality TV and see how communication shapes culture.

• Rhetoric from Greeks to Tweets��

Description:��The use of persuasion from the time of Aristotle to the current age of mediated communication. Students journey to ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, Enlightenment Europe and beyond to explore perennial questions and possible answers that have contemporary relevance.

• Reality Television

Description:��Study of the various genres of reality television, its audiences and the culture in which this programming is produced.

Strategic moves and mind games:��Master the art of thinking ahead with game theory — from business negotiations to everyday decisions.

• Game Theory

Description:��Introduction to game theory and strategic behavior. Dominance, backward induction, Nash equilibrium, commitment, credibility, asymmetric information and signaling. Applications from economics, politics, sociology and other real-life situations.

Epic tales and page turners: From Shakespeare’s dramas to French mysteries and timeless myths — these classes have all the storytelling you could want.

• Special Topics: Shakespeare��

Description:��A study of selected plays of Shakespeare. Historical period: pre-1700.

• The French Detective Story

Description:��Exploration of the detective novel genre through study of works by French and francophone authors.

• Greek Mythology

Description:��Mythology of Greek gods and goddesses through the study of ancient texts, major sites of worship and ancient representations of these deities.

• The Literary Fairy Tale��

Description:��An investigation of the literary fairy tale from the Renaissance to the twentieth century.

Bend, stretch and skill up:��Try something new, from learning your first piano chord to mastering the downward dog.

• Piano for Beginners

Description:��Introduction to basic techniques of practical piano playing. Students do not need prior experience with the piano or with music.

• Introduction to Yoga

Description:��This course is designed to introduce the foundation poses of Yoga, the basics of healthy posture, simple breathing techniques and progressive deep relaxation skills.

To learn more, check out the full undergraduate��. And don’t miss the drop/add hunger games. The last day to add a class is Friday, Aug. 22. Fun classes like these tend to fill up quickly or are only offered during specific semesters. If you miss out this time, keep track of the schedule of classes to know when it will be offered again and snag your spot.��

For its dedication to empowering employees across the university, the Employee Success Center was given the from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR). The award honors transformative thinking in higher education human resources, recognizing a new and innovative HR team, project or program that resulted in significant and ongoing organizational change within an institution.

“Receiving this award is such an honor to the Employee Success Center team,” said Laura McDaniels, interim director of the Employee Success Center. “It highlights our dedication and the thoughtful work that we put into building programs that encourage connection and engagement across campus.”

The Employee Success Center fosters that engaged and growth-oriented culture at UofL with several forward-thinking initiatives, such as a year-long onboarding process designed to help new employees integrate more fully into university life, leadership development, mentoring and career guidance for all employee groups, along with new and innovative recognition programs.

The center also received recognition earlier this year from the for its efforts to support and recognize employees through its people-centered initiatives, including new staff awards and CARDGrams, university-themed e-cards designed to make daily employee recognition simple, accessible and meaningful. Over 7,500 e-cards have been sent in recognition of colleagues since CARDGrams launched. Additionally, 95% of employees who participated in career coaching sessions reported a stronger sense of belonging.

“These recognitions and successes inspire us to continue creating experiences that strengthen our university community,” McDaniels said.

Through the new agreement, UofL – who already partners with (JCTC) and (ECTC) – is working with all 16 KCTCS schools across the commonwealth to help students complete their general education requirements before they transfer. The university is also offering scholarships and providing additional financial aid and advising programming to help transfer students hit the ground running when they get to UofL. This includes the merit-based UofL KCTCS Scholarship, which awards $1,000-$3,000 to KCTCS students with a 3.25 cumulative GPA and 40 or more credit hours.

“We’re proud to be a premier destination for transfer students from both inside and outside the state and we’re excited to build even more opportunities for students from KCTCS to complete their degree at UofL,” said UofL President Kim Schatzel. “This expanded agreement will make it easier for students to launch their careers and find success in our community and state.” ����

“UofL has��led��the way with this,” said Sara Wheeler, associate director of transfer services at UofL. “We’re building more transfer pathways for majors where students can start at a two-year institution within KCTCS and then follow transfer pathways into UofL to finish their degree.”

Wheeler explains that transfer students often experience transfer shock, and this programming aims to create a seamless transition from two-year to four-year institutions so that when students transfer to UofL they are ready to go and feel confident.

“At KCTCS, we’re focused on providing access to education to all Kentuckians. Our students come from all types of backgrounds and experiences, and we prioritize providing them with every resource they need to obtain a higher education,” said Ryan Quarles, KCTCS president. “We are excited to reaffirm this transfer partnership with the University of Louisville to offer seamless opportunities for all KCTCS students from our 16 colleges across the state. We look forward to this partnership that will encourage our students to continue their education at UofL and improve their career prospects.”

UofL provides advising, admissions counseling and one-on-one appointments to help KCTCS students navigate the transition. With over 200 degree programs, 13 of which are offered online, UofL is accessible to any student across all 16 KCTCS campuses.

“We’re making it easier for students to come into UofL,” Wheeler said. “So part of this expansion is figuring out how to get students into a four-year degree so they can continue climbing in their profession and make them more marketable when they go into the workforce.”

UofL recently launched a satellite advising office on the ECTC campus with a full-time advisor readily available to help guide ECTC students completing UofL degrees. UofL previously established a similar office located at JCTC’s downtown Louisville campus, with full-time advisors and benefits for JCTC students aiming to transfer to UofL.

Any student at a KCTCS institution is eligible to benefit from this expansion. For more information and to learn about UofL’s admission requirements, go to .

So far, the plan is working. In the past few years, Cardinals have graduated with the second-lowest student debt among all Kentucky four-year public universities.

In 2024, the university is supporting students with an infusion of need-based aid. “We’re dramatically increasing aid, going to a 20% increase in need-based aid,” said Jim Begany, vice president for enrollment management.

By expanding the Cardinal Commitment Grant, including additional states eligible for the Border Benefit award and investing in merit-based scholarships, UofL continues to remove financial barriers to college for students who go on to strengthen the community and state.

Cardinal Commitment Grant

UofL is investing $2.4 million toward the Cardinal Commitment Grant in 2024. The grant helps to close the gap between eligible Kentucky students’ financial aid and the cost of attendance, which includes tuition, dining, transportation, books and other expenses.

Previously available only to Pell Grant students, the Cardinal Commitment award expanded to include students with financial need who do not qualify for Pell Grants. All first-time freshman Kentucky residents who have been accepted to UofL and have a demonstrated financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are eligible for the automatic Cardinal Commitment Grant.

“Part of our mission is to move the needle on social mobility and really attract first-generation, low-income students and others by which a college education could transform the lives of not just them but also their generations of family and family members,” said Jenny Sawyer, executive director of admissions. “This grant allows students to really maximize the opportunities at UofL and puts them in a position to not just be able to afford to go to school, but also afford to have a deep, impactful experience while they’re here.”

Border Benefit Award

Students from outside Kentucky can also access an affordable education at UofL through the Border Benefit program, which gives residents of select bordering states and metropolitan areas the chance to attend UofL at in-state tuition rates.

Beginning in fall 2024, the Border Benefit award will expand to include transfer and first-time college students in all counties in Ohio and West Virginia. The award is already available to students from all Illinois and Indiana counties, select Ohio counties and some counties surrounding the Nashville and St. Louis metropolitan areas.

Students residing in regional areas can receive an estimated $16,000 per year award, which reduces their tuition to the equivalent of Kentucky in-state tuition. In fall 2023, Border Benefit students made up over 13% of the incoming freshman class.��

Merit-based scholarships

UofL’s efforts to make college affordable also include high-achieving students through expanded investments in merit-based, competitive scholarships such as the Grawemeyer Scholarship, McConnell Scholars, Martin Luther King Scholars, Woodford R. Porter Scholarship and Henry Vogt Scholarship programs.

These niche scholarship programs encourage research, innovation and intellectual curiosity at the university and attract students who took rigorous high school curricula and are committed to creating positive change in the commonwealth and beyond.

Benji Kostic, a Vogt Scholarship recipient, is a first-generation American whose parents moved to Louisville as refugees from Bosnia. The biology major, who will graduate in May, works in clinical research at the Norton Leatherman Spine Center and as a chemistry tutor at UofL and hopes to one day become an orthopedic surgeon.

“The Vogt Scholarship allowed me to explore various opportunities at UofL because I didn’t have a financial burden,” Kostic said. “I was able to join clubs and get involved without also getting a job to pay for my schooling. It made me feel very��free.”

“We’re always looking for ways to help our local and state-wide community,” said President Kim Schatzel. “This expanded grant will give more Kentucky residents access to a college degree without the stress of a heavy financial burden and provide an opportunity for them to make an impact on their communities after graduating.”

The grant will help close the gap between eligible students’ financial aid and the cost of attendance, which includes tuition, dining, transportation, books and other expenses.

Freshman biology major and first-generation student Elienai Moreno Ramirez is one of the students who received the grant this year.

“Right off the bat, it was covering so much of my tuition and I thought, ‘This is so great, and it’s renewable, so I don’t even have to worry about applying for it each year. It’s just automatically there.’ Getting this grant was a sign telling me that I could do this, I could afford college and achieve my dreams,” said Ramirez, a Cuba native who hopes to go to medical school at UofL after graduating. “This scholarship is just another stepping stone that’s there to push me forward and aid me as I accomplish my goals for the future.”

All first-time freshmen Kentucky residents who have been accepted to UofL and have a demonstrated financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are eligible for the automatic award, which could be either full tuition coverage or range from $2,000-$9,000. Award amounts are calculated after considering the federal and state need-based grants, KEES, university and institutional aid given to each student.

The grant is renewable for students who continue to meet��the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, but is locked based on the award amount offered in the students’ first year at UofL regardless of changes to a student’s state or federal aid.

Eligible students should����by May 1 to be considered for the Cardinal Commitment Grant.

For more details on the Cardinal Commitment Grant, visit .

Beginning with the fall 2024 semester, the Border Benefit award will expand to include transfer and first-time college students in all counties in Ohio and West Virginia. The Border Benefit is already available to accepted first-time freshmen and transfer students from all counties in Illinois and Indiana as well as select Ohio counties and some counties surrounding the Nashville and St. Louis metropolitan areas.

Students residing in regional areas can receive an estimated $16,000 per year award, which reduces their tuition to the equivalent of Kentucky in-state tuition. Since the award’s inception in 2022, 465 students have received the Border Benefit award. In fall 2023, Border Benefit students made up over 13% of the incoming freshman class.��

“The Border Benefit expansion is just one example of UofL’s dedication to increasing access to and affordability of education,” said Jim Begany, vice president of enrollment management. “We’re eager to help more students find success and earn their college degree without an overwhelming financial burden.”

Incoming students automatically��receive the renewable award upon admission to UofL. No additional application is required. Students must submit a to apply before May 1. UofL guarantees the Border Benefit award until May 1 for students entering UofL in the fall.

For more information on the Border Benefit award, visit

As part of UofL’s dedication to make college affordable, the Cardinal Commitment Grant, previously available only to Pell-eligible students, is now offered as two versions in order to extend the offer to students with financial need who do not qualify for a Pell Grant. The first is need-based aid with a $1,000-$5,000 award amount and the second is a 100% Tuition Coverage award.

“Increasing access to education is important to UofL, and this expanded grant will help bridge the financial gap for students to attend college,” said President Kim Schatzel. “We hope this grant helps clear the path for more Kentucky students to earn a degree without the stress of a heavy financial burden.”

The Cardinal Commitment Grant Need-Based Aid $1,000-$5,000 award is available to incoming Kentucky freshmen with a 3.25 GPA who have been admitted to UofL full-time and have a demonstrated financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Cardinal Commitment Grant 100% tuition coverage award is available to incoming Kentucky freshmen with a 3.25 GPA who have been admitted to UofL full-time and are eligible for a Pell��Grant��based on the FAFSA.

The grant is renewable for students who continue to meet��Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. However, the award amount is locked for renewed years, regardless of changes to a student’s state or federal aid.

Eligible students should����by May 1 to be considered for the Cardinal Commitment Grant. Additional details on the scholarship are available at��.

Her passion for helping others led her to UofL, where she became a first-generation student, Woodford R. Porter scholar, Multicultural Teacher Recruitment Program scholar and president of the Kentucky ����ֱ�� Association’s student program on campus, among several other accomplishments. Now, all of Hunter’s hard work has paid off and she’s earned her degree in early education with a track in learning and behavior disorders.

However, Hunter strayed from the path to becoming an educator before finally discovering her calling. She came into college undecided of her major and focused on taking general education courses to explore her options and find her purpose. She tried out nursing, but quickly realized that was not the career for her.

“I met with my advisor and got into the lower division of nursing and everything,” she said. “Everyone was so helpful, but in that first week of nursing classes, I figured out that was not for me. I don’t like blood.”

She ultimately switched to education and never looked back.

“I think I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I had those thoughts running through my head, like, ‘Oh, they have to deal with this and that and they don’t get paid enough,’” she said. “But once I let all of that go and went toward what I love to do, which is being with kids and helping them out, I really found my true passion in teaching.”

While in high school, Hunter participated in a buddy program where she helped students in a moderate to severe disability classroom. Her experience sparked her interest in helping those with learning and behavior disorders. ��

“For one period of the day, I would help students with life skills and go on field trips to learn skills like counting money or how to pick out hygiene products,” she said. “We were trying to get those students ready for transitioning in their lives. We helped prepare them for what life after high school would look like and made sure they had the skills they need to transition successfully.”

Hunter, who hails from Shelbyville, knew then she had a passion for helping people. And when it came time for her to decide on a college, an on-campus tour of UofL’s campus and a scholarship opportunity helped make the decision an easy one.

“I toured around the university with my cousin who was a student and I just loved it. I saw so many diverse groups of people, which was so different for me, especially coming from a small town,” she said. “It was very different for me, but an exciting type of different, so I applied for and got the Woodford Porter scholarship, which really swayed me to attend here.”

Being a Porter scholar provided Hunter with a community that helped her discover more about herself and build relationships that have helped her succeed in education.

“I’ve been a Porter since my freshman year and that has allowed me to make so many connections with not just other Black students, but Black educators. That’s something I’ve not seen a lot of, so those opportunities to connect and network with other Black educators has been really great,” she said. “It’s also allowed me to learn a lot more about myself and connect with my dad’s side of the family, which is my Black side.”

Hunter credits her parents for helping her not only become a first-generation student, but to achieve everything she’s accomplished over the last four years.

“My mom and dad cared so much and wanted to make it different for me, so they learned along with me and helped me through it all,” she said. “It feels really good to graduate first-gen. Especially since I had no idea at first going through the process of learning all the things that come with college and now I know and can help others and my future children one day.”

In addition to her multiple scholarships, Hunter also serves as a peer buddy for the Best Buddies program, is a member of the Black Student Union, Baptist Campus Ministry, Kentucky Association of Professional African American Women and works as a student success ambassador on campus.

“I have mentees that are also first-gen students and helping them find resources and support from the Student Success Center has also provided so much help for me too,” she said. “Seeing the impact I’ve made on my mentees’ lives has been so rewarding.”

Hunter’s professors and mentors have inspired her to make an impact on others.

“I’ve seen the passion all my professors have and being able to help other educators like they’ve helped me is what I want to do. Especially in education, you always need a mentor and someone to help you. I want to be that person to give that back to new teachers or college students or kids.”

For her next move, Hunter is going to attend grad school at UofL to pursue her master’s in teacher leadership with an ESL endorsement this fall.

One of Hunter’s fondest memories from her time in undergrad is helping a student learn to write his name during her student teaching.

“It’s incredible what you can do just by showing a student they are loved.”