The expansion is supported by renewed funding from Class Act Federal Credit Union, which has committed $450,000 to support scholarships and programmatic needs.

The Louisville Teacher Residency, the first program of its kind in Kentucky, provides college graduates who did not major in education the opportunity to earn a master’s degree and Kentucky teaching certification in just one year, in exchange for a commitment to teach in a high-needs JCPS school.

“UofL is deeply grateful for our partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools to implement a teacher residency program that recruits, retains and elevates future educators,â€� said President Gerry Bradley. “We are also grateful to Class Act for their generous scholarship support, which enables us to create new pathways for educators pursuing careers in Early Childhood ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ and Special ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥.â€�

During the residency year, participants spend four days each week embedded in JCPS classrooms, gaining hands-on teaching experience under the guidance of master teachers. On Fridays and throughout the summer, residents attend classes at UofL, completing coursework co-designed by JCPS and university faculty to ensure alignment with classroom realities and district needs. Upon completion, residents transition into full-time teaching roles within JCPS.

“I am thankful for Class Act’s continued support, which plays an important role in providing our residents with the guidance, resources, and preparation needed to succeed in the classroom,” said Stefanie Wooten Burnett, assistant dean at UofL’s College of ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ and Human Development. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the teacher pipeline and supporting students in JCPS.”Ìý

Class Act Federal Credit Union has now committed more than $1 million to the Louisville Teacher Residency program since its creation.

“Supporting the Louisville Teacher Residency aligns with our credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people,’ and specifically with Class Act’s mission of supporting education in our communityâ€� said Tom Anonson, president and CEO at Class Act Federal Credit Union. “By partnering with UofL and JCPS, we are helping prepare educators who will make a lasting difference for students and families across our community.â€�

As a strategic driver for institutional improvement, the CCCW advises the university president on policies, planning and actions that advance a campus environment where all individuals feel respected, valued and empowered. About 80 people from a cross-section of the university comprise the CCCW.

“UofL thrives as the thousands of people who work and learn here thrive,� Bradley said. “We don’t want our mission and vision statements or our Cardinal Principles to be just nice words. We want those words to ring true with everyone in our community.�

The commission’s first order of business was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of UofL’s current climate, culture and well-being by reviewing data from recent climate and trust surveys. In some cases, subject matter experts were invited to speak to the commission as members strengthened their understanding of what needed the most attention. Adding Katie Partin, director of institutional effectiveness in the Office of Academic Planning and Accountability, to the CCCW leadership team also brought integration with the university’s strategic planning efforts and ensured the commission’s work would find places to integrate.

This semester, the members organized their work into six key areas that warrant the most attention. Each member was assigned to one of the following subcommittees:

• Communication and Transparency
• Compensation and Career Development
• Physical Safety and Facilities
• Policy and Culture
• Psychological Safety and Well-being
• Workload and Morale

Over the course of several weeks, the entire CCCW met to discuss overarching issues, and the subcommittees met to develop recommendations for the president to consider for inclusion in the . That phase of the work was completed on March 23, and a final written report with the commission’s recommendations will be provided to the president by May 1.

Commission Co-chairs Dwayne Compton and Brian Buford, as well as Vice-chair Lindsey Ronay, provide regular updates to Bradley and Executive Vice President/University Provost Katie Cardarelli.

“President Bradley and Provost Cardarelli are fully committed to this effort. We see that first-hand in our meetings with them,� Buford said. “We bring the commission’s questions, concerns and requests to them, and they address each issue thoughtfully and thoroughly.�

Compton adds that the CCCW’s work is taking place at just the right time – when UofL and higher education in general face tough challenges and make tough decisions about academic, operational and budgetary concerns.

“There have definitely been a lot of hard but authentic conversations in our CCCW meetings,� Compton said. “You can’t deny the CCCW’s passion for its work. You also can’t deny our senior leadership’s commitment to this difficult but important effort.�

Coming in at No. 31, the 11-semester, full-timeÌýÌýprovides 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,â€� 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 includeÌýÌýat No. 29,ÌýÌýat No. 39 andÌýat No. 43. Additionally, two programs saw notable rises in this year’s rankings. TheÌýprograms increased 22 spots to No. 124, while theÌýÌýin 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 theÌý

In a study in the journal Environmental Research, researchers compared blood samples of people participating in the . The researchers found that people living in greener neighborhoods showed immune patterns consistent with lower chronic inflammation, including lower levels of several circulating immune cells linked to inflammatory activity, such as monocytes, natural killer cells, B cells and some white blood cell types.

“The study also found evidence of a shift toward a more regulated immune profile, suggesting that nearby trees and vegetation may do more than improve quality of life – they may also influence the body’s immune system in ways that support cardiovascular health,� said Daniel Riggs, assistant professor in UofL’s and first author of the study. “While the study cannot prove cause and effect, the findings add to growing evidence that greener residential environments may be an important public health resource for reducing inflammation and promoting long-term health.�

The findings provide additional support for preliminary findings from the Green Heart Louisville Project showing that people living in neighborhoods where the number of trees and shrubs was more than doubled had lower levels of a blood biomarker of inflammation than those living outside the planted areas. Those living in the greened area had 13-20% lower levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) than those living in the areas that did not receive additional trees and shrubs. Higher levels of hsCRP are strongly associated with a risk of cardiovascular disease. Higher CRP levels also indicate a higher risk of diabetes and certain cancers.

The recent study evaluated the immune function of Green Heart Louisville Project participants based on the greenness of their residential environment prior to the addition of trees for the project.

“These studies show that greener neighborhoods don’t just look better; they appear to educate our immune system in ways that may reduce chronic inflammation and disease risk,â€� said Aruni Bhatnagar, director of the Envirome Institute. “They align with the Envirome Institute’s mission of identifying environmental conditions that shape human health and translating those insights into strategies for improving the health of our communities.”

UofL in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Washington University in St. Louis, Hyphae Design Laboratory and others to study whether and how living among more densely greened surroundings contributes to better heart health.

Using the American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s culinary medicine curriculum as its foundation, the classes blend nutrition science, nutrition counseling, hands-on culinary skills and exposure to world flavors into a practical, case-based course for future physicians. Fourth-year medical students learn to translate dietary guidelines into realistic meal ideas, practice counseling language they can use in a clinical setting and prepare dishes that support common medical nutrition needs, such as cardiometabolic health and diabetes.

The course is led by Kristen Neises, director of lifestyle medicine at the UofL Trager Institute, along with Chef Nikkia Rhodes and is held at the institute’s Culinary Medicine Kitchen, which .

UofL News checked in with Charmi Shah, a fourth-year medical student who participated in the fall semester course, about her experience.

UofL News: What interested you about the culinary medicine course at the Trager Institute’s Culinary Medicine Kitchen?

Charmi Shah: I have always loved cooking and consider myself a true foodie. I grew up helping my mom in the kitchen whenever I could and have always enjoyed trying restaurants and cuisines from all over the world. So, when this culinary medicine course was offered, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. The idea of earning school credit while cooking delicious meals (and getting to eat them afterward) sounded like the perfect combination of passion and learning.

As a vegetarian, I also was especially excited knowing the meals would be plant-based. I am constantly looking for ways to increase protein intake and make healthier substitutions in my own meals, so I knew this class would offer lessons I could apply both personally and professionally. It felt like the perfect opportunity to blend something I genuinely enjoy with my medical education.

UofL News: Could you describe your experience working hands-on in the kitchen and what you learned?

Shah: Each week focused on a different cuisine or meal type, from Asian-inspired dishes to breakfast foods, bowls and even desserts. Before class, we watched instructional videos on cooking techniques and read articles or publications on relevant nutrition topics so we could come prepared for meaningful discussion at the start of the class.

During class, we split into pairs and divided up the recipes, preparing the dishes ourselves. The hands-on experience made the learning incredibly engaging. After cooking, we cleaned the kitchen together as a group and then sat down to enjoy the meal we had created. One of my favorite parts was role-playing patient scenarios, where we practiced applying what we had learned in realistic clinical conversations. It reinforced how to translate nutrition science into practical, culturally sensitive advice. And of course, taking home leftovers was an added bonus.

Beyond learning new cooking skills, I gained a deeper understanding of macronutrient balance, plant-based protein sources, portion control, and how small ingredient substitutions can significantly improve nutritional value without sacrificing flavor.

UofL News: Why do you think it is important for future health care providers to learn nutrition science?

Shah: Nutrition science is foundational to preventive medicine. Many of the leading causes of death in the U.S., including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are strongly associated with lifestyle factors. While medications are essential in many cases, addressing diet and daily habits is often just as critical.

Exercise is important, but as many physicians emphasize, meaningful weight loss and long-term health begin with the exercise of eating first. Future health care providers must be equipped not only to diagnose and prescribe but also to provide more holistic care by guiding patients toward sustainable lifestyle improvements. Without adequate training in nutrition, physicians may feel unprepared to provide specific, actionable advice.

UofL News: How do you hope to apply these lessons in your approach to health care?

Shah: As someone planning to go into family medicine, I have a strong interest in lifestyle medicine. This course reinforced my belief that physicians should look beyond simply prescribing medications and instead consider how to empower patients to modify their daily habits.

It is one thing to tell a Hispanic patient with diabetes to “avoid sugar,� but it is much more impactful to provide culturally tailored, realistic alternatives. For example, suggesting corn tortillas instead of white flour tortillas, encouraging more beans and less processed meat, discussing portion sizes of rice or chips that may be dietary staples or offering fruit-based dessert swaps instead of traditional fried sweets like churros. These kinds of practical, culturally sensitive recommendations are far more meaningful than generic advice.

Being part of the pilot culinary medicine course felt incredibly special, and I truly believe every medical student would benefit from this experience. I hope to continue expanding my knowledge in culinary and lifestyle medicine and incorporate these lessons into my future primary care practice, helping patients see that healthy living can be both achievable and enjoyable.

Q&A by Samantha Adams

These nine highlights represent 90 years of the school’s impact:

1. Kent School is recognized as the best social work program in Kentucky and nationally ranked as a top 50 social work graduate program based on U.S. News and World Report 2025 rankings.
2. Faculty and staff conduct research around the globe. The Kent School and its Center for Family and Community Well-Being has established and maintains a robust $27+ million research portfolio. The research – collaborative, community-based and evidence-driven – has been disseminated through a record 90 presentations and 60 professional publications. It continues to make a positive impact on hundreds of individuals, families and communities every day.
3. Kent School offers five degree programs, including the bachelor’s in social work, master of science in social work, master of science in couple and family therapy, doctor of philosophy in social work and doctor of social work program, which launched in 2021. Few social work schools offer a full array of programsÌýto provide students an educational pathway that takes themÌýfrom a bachelor’s to a doctoral degree.
4. While Kent School celebrates the milestone of 90 years, the PhD program, which now spans 120 graduates, 25 states and three countries, marks 30 years. Today, these graduates are embedded in 56 colleges and universities. Both of the school’s doctoral programs are directed by distinguished professors who are Society for Social Work Research (SSWR) Fellows. Anita Barbee and Heather Storer are part of this esteemed fellowship society which honors individuals for their accomplishments, leadership and contributions to the scientific society. Fellows serve as role models and mentors for individuals pursuing careers in social work research.
5. Through the work of Professor Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc, the Dr. Renato LaRocca Endowed Chair in Oncology Social Work, Kent School is helping to fill the gaps as the need for professionals in the specialty area of oncology social work continues to grow. Associate Professor Tara Schapmire recently received a five-year, $1.6 million grant to lead a national training initiative providing specialized training for 250 social workers across the United States.
6. UofL is one of only two universities in the nation that houses a couple and family therapy program in a school of social work. Established 30 years ago, the Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) Program, located on Shelby Campus, educates graduate students to become marriage and family therapists. In addition, the CFT program manages the Relationship Solutions Clinic, a valuable resource that offers therapy services to the local community. Services are provided by graduate level CFT students under supervision in a professional setting.
7. Our students are everywhere! Through practicum site placements across 31 states and two countries, Kent School students gained valuable hands-on learning experience by providing more than 124,000 hours of service working with local, national and global community partners from fall 2024 through spring 2025.
8. Kent School is a participatingÌýpartner in Kentucky’s program, an innovative career preparation program for students interested in making a positive impact serving the children and families of Kentucky. Undergraduate students who enroll in this program receive benefits including freeÌýin-state tuition, mentorship, skills training and priority job placement after graduation. The Kent School staff member overseeing the UofL student participants, Emily Watts, is an alumnae and student in the DSW program.Ìý
9. Each year, faculty design and host study abroad programs that expand upon classroom learning, engaging students in new cultural experiences. Past study abroad opportunities included trips to Belize, Peru and Vietnam.

The school recently celebrated 90 years of impact through education, research and service at an anniversary gala on March 28. Held at the Speed Art Museum, the event honored the past, present and future of the school.

A unique 90^th anniversary art collage entitled “Art of our Mission,� facilitated by Kent School alumnae Toya Northington ‘18 and Kent School professor Lesley Harris, represents the contributions of faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends. Pieces of the collage were on display at the gala, and the final compilation will have a permanent home in the Kent School’s Oppenheimer Hall.

The funding, approved at the committee’s March 19 meeting, will support the creation of a new Student Wellness Center, which will be located in the Miller Information Technology Center on the university’s Belknap Campus. The measure goes before the full board for a final vote at its April 23 regular meeting.

Currently, Campus Health and the Counseling Center are housed in separate facilities on opposite ends of Belknap Campus. According to Michael Mardis, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, the renovated space in Miller will allow for additional therapy rooms, additional exam rooms, a dedicated group therapy room and psychological assessment room, procedure rooms and more.

“This new space will foster real-time collaboration and seamless care coordination between medical and mental health providers,� Mardis said. “It also will provide a modern, welcoming environment that normalizes help-seeking behavior and educates students about their health as they prepare for the larger world.�

Mardis added that such a space is necessary to meet the increasing needs for mental and physical care at UofL, which are consistent with national trends.

Pending full board approval, Student Affairs will provide $6.5 million, with an additional $3.5 million generated through philanthropic efforts. The project is expected to be completed in about two years.

Academic and Student Affairs Committee action

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee approved the establishment of the Ray E. Murphy and Ann P. Murphy Endowed Chair in Nutrition and Health in the School of Medicine. The $2 million endowment will be funded by the Ann P. Murphy Trust ($1 million) with an additional $1 million match requested from the Council on Postsecondary ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ Endowment Match Program (Bucks for Brains) pending approval of the UofL Board of Trustees. Named after Ray Murphy ’59 and his spouse, Ann, the endowed chair provides needed resources to educate the next generation of physicians, dieticians, nutritionists and nurses.

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee also approved the creation of a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Global Supply Chain Management, effective for the summer 2026 semester, pending full board approval. The program will prepare students to manage international supply chains by addressing logistics, distribution systems, procurement, supplier relations, inventory/quality/project management, analytics, IT and artificial intelligence as well as the impact of customs, regulations and cultural differences. Applied learning will be developed in partnership with supply chain leaders from UPS, Brown-Forman, Amazon, PPL, GXO and DHL.

Additionally, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee approved the creation of a Graduate Certificate in ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥al Administrative Leadership. Pending full board approval, the program will be offered in the fall 2026 semester and will provide a pathway for educators to earn Level 1 Principalship certification in Kentucky – the required entry-level credential for those seeking administrative roles in P-12 setting.

The next meeting of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees will take place Thursday, April 23, at 1 p.m. in the Jefferson Room of Grawemeyer Hall on Belknap Campus. Meeting agendas, minutes, schedules and other information is available on the .Ìý

The project design, a multi-phase transformation supported by $6.75 million in combined city and state funding, features expanded sidewalks, increased tree canopy and extensive landscaping. New curb extensions will introduce seating areas and further soften the urban environment. By enhancing pedestrian infrastructure, the project aims to create a street that is safer and more welcoming to the thousands of employees, students and patients who traverse the district daily.

In collaboration with city officials and project partners Gresham Smith and Pace Contracting, LOUMED has begun project construction for the project in the 300 block of East Chestnut Street. This location allows the new work to physically and visually connect the streetscape to LOUMED Commons, a public park opened in November 2025 that converted a vacant lot into vital green space, and to enhance UofL’s Health Sciences Center.

The project is located within the study area of Greenprint, a 10-year initiative coordinated by UofL’s and its affiliated Urban Design Studio. Greenprint integrates science-based greening strategies into downtown Louisville’s growth and redevelopment, optimizing new green spaces so they can have the greatest impact on human health. The initiative links separate projects like LOUMED Commons and the Chestnut Street improvements, ensuring a shared commitment to creating a cooler, cleaner and healthier Louisville.

The Chestnut Street Improvement Project is informed by walkability studies and temperature monitoring conducted by UofL’s Center for Geographic Information Sciences (ULCGIS), which recently became part of the Envirome Institute. Using drone-mounted thermal imaging sensors to map surface temperatures across project areas, ULCGIS staff identify hot spots and provide data to help guide planting strategies that can cool the city and support healthier, more comfortable microenvironments. Researchers will continue to monitor the impact of this greening on the local microclimate and human health and comfort to develop a replicable national model for greening urban pedestrian areas in other cities.

Construction for the Chestnut Street project is proceeding in a phased approach to minimize disruption. Work on the current block is scheduled for completion later this year. Crews will then immediately begin improvements on the three subsequent blocks extending east from South Preston to South Clay streets, with the full eastern section projected to be complete in 2027.

Held on the day the McConnell Center was founded in 1991, the program began with a reception, giving attendees a chance to reconnect and celebrate the center’s past 35 years.

During the event, the center unveiled, “America’s Autobiography: Key Documents that Tell Our Story.� This initiative pairs a new book of key documents with a companion podcast and video series, featuring commentary from scholars and experts.

McConnell Center Director Gary Gregg’s remarks focused on the hundreds of teachers and thousands of students the center has been able to serve over the decades.

“Tonight we celebrate the McConnell Center’s work in civic education — in nurturing, teaching and inspiring generations of young citizens and their teachers,â€� Gregg said. “It all began with the very foundations of the center in the political science department and those early faculty…who taught our first generation of McConnell Scholars to be good citizens and leaders.â€�

During the program, Justin Mitchell, a social studies teacher at Franklin-Simpson Middle School and former participant in the center’s Teachers Scholars Program, was presented the Henry Clay Cup for Exemplary Service in Civic ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥, recognizing his contributions to civic learning in Kentucky. He is only the third recipient in the history of the award.

The celebration concluded with a keynote address by the Honorable Chris Gibson, former U.S. Congressman and retired U.S. Army Colonel, who reflected on the importance of civic responsibility and leadership.Ìý

“America’s Autobiography: Key Documents that Tell Our Story” will be released in May and can be purchased at . All proceeds from the book will benefit theÌýMcConnellÌýCenter’s Civic ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ Fund.

and .

Article by Natalie Tracy

“This is a testament to the robust work which happens around campus to create meaningful education paths and to support our military-connected students,� said Kyle Hurwitz, director, Center for Military-Connected Students.

With almost 3,200ÌýÌýenrolled, military students account for more than 12% of UofL’s total enrollment.

Each year, Military Friendly® evaluates universities based on graduation outcomes, culture, military support and financial aid, among other areas. Military Friendly® Gold institutions are selected for “leading practices, outcomes and effective programs.�

“We are very proud to continue to earn these designations year after year,â€� said President Gerry Bradley. “We recognize and celebrate the Center for Military-Connected Students, whose dedicated efforts enable us to promote student success at the highest levels.â€�Ìý

One of the many programs supporting UofL’s service members is Red Bird Allies, a once per semester training for faculty and staff to learn about the military-connected student experience and to understand the concerns, unique perspectives, strengths and challenges of this student population.Ìý

Emily Miles, an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences, is one of more than 200 faculty and staff Red Bird Allies. She frequently advises students who have been in the military, have a parent in the military or want to join when they graduate.Ìý

“Thanks to the training I received, I feel comfortable giving guidance about transferrable credits or financial coverage concerns and referring them to the highly capable specialists at the Center for Military-Connected students,â€� said Miles. “Feedback from students indicates UofL’s support of military-connected students is exceptional.â€�

Interested in becoming a Red Bird Ally?Ìý.