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.”

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 ����ֱ�� 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 ����ֱ��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 .��

George J. Howe Distinguished Staff Award

The George J. Howe Distinguished Staff Award recognizes the highest level of achievement among staff employees. Serving as a companion award to the Trustees Award for faculty, the George J. Howe Distinguished Staff Award is a symbol of what we value as a campus community, having an “extraordinary impact on the lives of students.” This award winner exemplifies the traits of its namesake George J. Howe in humility, generosity, and excellence in leadership, as well as the Cardinal Principles and whose career has had an exceptional impact on the university.

• Diane Whitlock, assistant vice president for strategic initiatives in the Office of Access & Opportunity

Trustees Award

The Board of Trustees of the University of Louisville established the Trustees Award in 1989 to honor faculty who individually impact the future of our students. The award is intended to recognize faculty who have had, currently or in the past, an extraordinary impact on students.

• Recipient will be announced on April 17, 2026.

Cardinal Principles Champions

The Cardinal Principles Champions Award recognizes faculty and staff who exemplify the university’s guiding values through meaningful actions and impact. Each recipient is recognized for demonstrating one of the Cardinal Principles in a way that positively influences students, colleagues and the broader university community.

• Community of Care: Audra N. French, School of Dentistry
• Agility: Libby Champion, College of ����ֱ�� & Human Development
• Respect: Amanda LeDuke, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement
• Diversity: Katie Kleinkopf, College of Arts & Sciences
• Integrity & Transparency: MaryPat Chiavaroli, College of Arts & Sciences
• Noble Purpose: Tonia D. Thomas, Office of Access & Opportunity
• Accountability: Michelle Maddox, School of Medicine
• Leadership: Brad Shuck, College of ����ֱ�� & Human Development

Distinguished Faculty Awards

The University of Louisville recognizes faculty members who bring distinction to the institution through exceptional contributions in teaching, research, creative work and service. The Distinguished Faculty Awards honor individuals whose work reflects the university’s mission and Cardinal Principles, advancing student success, scholarship and impact across the university and broader community.

Outstanding Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity

• Basic and Applied Sciences: Gregory Barnes, School of Medicine
• Career Achievement: Aruni Bhatnagar, School of Medicine
• Creative and Performing Arts: William Reese Land, School of Music
• Humanities: Lauren Freeman, College of Arts & Sciences
• Social Sciences: Tara Schapmire, School of Medicine

Distinguished Service

• Service to the Community, the Commonwealth and/or the Region: Matthew H. Ruther, College of Arts & Sciences
• Service to the Profession: Kupper Wintergerst, School of Medicine
• Career of Service: Gerard Paul Rabalais, School of Medicine
• Service to UofL: Natalie C. Polzer, College of Arts & Sciences
• National/International Service: Mirzada Kurbasic, School of Medicine

Distinguished Teaching Professor

• James S. Chisholm, College of ����ֱ�� & Human Development, full-time
• Jennifer Koch, School of Medicine, full-time
• Shawn Schweppe Parkhurst, College of Arts & Sciences, full-time
• Heather L. Storer, Kent School of Social Work & Family Science, full-time
• Jennifer M. Foreman, Kent School of Social Work & Family Science, part-time

Outstanding Performance Awards

The Outstanding Performance Awards celebrate UofL staff who demonstrate exceptional performance, service and dedication. These awards highlight contributions that make a meaningful impact across the university.

• Mindy L. Christian, Public Safety
• Melissa Eversole, Office of Admissions
• David L. Fichuo, School of Medicine
• Julie Hornung, Clinical Trials
• Andrew C. Marsh, J.B. Speed School of Engineering
• Beth Masters, Human Resources
• Kristen Taxes Roy, Office of Access & Opportunity
• Veronica (Sissy) Snorton-Craft, Physical Plant
• Anika Strand, Student Success Center
• Mary Beth Uberti, Campus Health

Outstanding Supervisor Award

The Outstanding Supervisor Award recognizes supervisors who demonstrate exceptional leadership by supporting and developing their teams while fostering a positive and respectful work environment. These leaders model the Cardinal Principles through their actions and impact.

• Rachel Hodge, University Libraries

Team Impact Award

The Team Impact Award recognizes teams whose collaboration, innovation and shared efforts create meaningful impact across the university. These groups demonstrate the power of collective work in advancing the university’s mission.

• Benefits Team/Human Resources: Chastity Millanti, Michaeline Miller, Beth Masters, Carol Zehnder, Ashley Bertram, Shannon Hall, Mariah Mitchell, Greg Paradiso

Distinguished Retiree Awards

The Distinguished Retiree Awards recognize retired faculty and staff whose continued scholarship, service and contributions reflect the university’s Cardinal Principles and create meaningful impact beyond their careers at UofL. These awards are presented in partnership with the University of Louisville Association of Retired Personnel (ULARP) and the UofL Alumni Association.

• Distinguished Retiree Excellence Award: Allan Tasman, Emeritus Professor
• Distinguished Retiree Alumni Award: Michael Radmacher, UofL Alumnus and Retiree

It is the first Power 50 recognition for all three men.

Two members of the , Christopher Dischinger and John Hollenbach, also are among those recognized.

For the sixth consecutive year, Business First has published the list of 50 most influential business and civic leaders in the region. Louisville Business First selected honorees from individuals nominated by the public and those covered in the publication’s own reporting and sourcing. It does not include elected officials. The 5 on the Rise class recognizes emerging influential leaders.

Bradley assumed leadership of UofL in March after serving as executive vice president and university provost and dean of the UofL School of Dentistry. Since taking the helm at UofL, Bradley has overseen the completion of the , the opening of the Engineering Student Success and Research Building and surpassing 25,000 enrolled students for the first time in the university’s history.

In his State of the University address on Feb. 12, Bradley highlighted goals for UofL, including a focus on further improvements in enrollment, six-year retention rates, degrees offered and experiential learning opportunities. He intends to prioritize new residence halls and academic research facilities.

“I am grateful to lead this great university and amplify its positive impact on the city of Louisville,” Bradley said. “It is an honor to be recognized by Business First in the Power 50 2026, particularly after less than a year in my role as president of UofL.”

Since being named director of athletics in 2022, Heird also has had some significant wins. He hired Jeff Brohm to lead the football program and Pat Kelsey to take the reins of men’s basketball. In the 2024-25 season, ten UofL teams earned a top-25 ranking and 11 programs earned trips to the postseason.��

Under Heird’s leadership, student-athlete academic success has been a priority. Last semester closed with an overall department GPA of 3.431��— with 18 of 19 sports above 3.2. UofL athletes are also winning with a 96% graduation success rate.��

Jason Smith, chief executive officer of UofL Health, was named CEO of the health system in October after serving most recently as its interim CEO and chief medical officer. In December, he oversaw the opening of the $186 million, seven-story .

The honorees will be profiled in the March 27, 2026, print edition of Louisville Business First, and online around that time.

Drafts of the plan were shared with the trustees in May and June 2025. Each draft reflected suggestions submitted by students, faculty, staff and other constituencies. The campus community was also invited to strategic plan update Town Halls throughout the process.

“This plan belongs to all of us,” said President Gerry Bradley. “The decisions we make, how each unit operates, the allocation of financial, human and other resources will all apply directly to our strategic goals.”

The university’s academic programs and operating units will have until May 2026 to begin incorporating the plan’s goals and action items into their own strategic initiatives. Additionally, recommendations from the President’s Commission on Climate, Culture and Well-being will be applied to the plan as appropriate.

Approval of the strategic plan was accompanied by the affirmation of the revised . These revisions also reflect input from the university community.

Bradley will further discuss the strategic plan in his Feb. 12 State of the University Address, which will take place at 4 p.m. in the School of Music’s Comstock Hall. The event will also be livestreamed on

Value of shared governance

The Board of Trustees constituency representatives – Andrew Winters (Faculty Senate), Kevin Ledford (Staff Senate) and Macy Waddle (Student Government) – presented a to the board. The statement emphasizes the value of shared governance, open dialogue, belonging and well-being, faculty and staff stability and investment in American innovation and global competitiveness among UofL students, faculty, staff, administration, strategic partners and state government.

Though not an actionable measure for the trustees, the board’s constituency representatives felt the statement was appropriate and necessary given the complex challenges that face higher education in Kentucky.

“We certainly welcome this statement as it properly reflects the collaborative nature between the Board of Trustees and the university’s constituencies,” Bradley said. “I think it is important to point out that not all university boards of trustees include or involve constituency groups in their decision-making. At UofL, all voices are heard. All voices matter.”

The UofL Board of Trustees regular committee meetings will take place Thursday, March 19, 2026. Meeting minutes, schedules and other information are available on the .��

Young, who will begin his new position in March, comes to Louisville from Memphis, most recently serving as director of operations/technology and business development for the Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Simulation at the University��of Tennessee Health Science Center.

With more than a decade of expertise in academic health care simulation, he will lead the design, development, integration and strategic direction of the Academic Simulation Center. Young received a bachelor of science in biomedical engineering from the University of Alabama Birmingham, and master of business administration degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin.

“This position will be vital to promoting a contemporary, innovative and impactful Simulation Ecosystem for UofL,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, executive vice president for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “We are fortunate to have Jarrod Young, an established leader in health sciences simulation, to make the center a learning, research, workforce development and community engagement powerhouse for the region.”

Young said the leadership and vision of the university and local clinical partners shows that Louisville is committed to impacting the future of health care by investing in interprofessional��education and training.

“I am honored to join the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center as we collectively aim to support the future of clinical education and patient��care through health care simulation,” Young said. “My vision is to support the current health care simulation experts at the university��with my knowledge��and experience growing a large health science simulation��center into a world-class program.”

The new $280 million building on the Health Sciences Center Campus will house the Academic Simulation Center as well as serve students and faculty from UofL’s Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry and Public Health and Information Sciences. The space will foster collaboration that supports goals of the university’s and contribute to the elite level of health care education in the region. The university plans to complete the building by fall 2029.��

UofL, initially designated as a community engagement university in 2008, was among 277 schools reclassified by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on ����ֱ��.

“The University of Louisville is proud to receive the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification for another six years,” UofL President Gerry Bradley said. “This achievement is a testament to our partnerships across Louisville, and the work we’re doing on campus and beyond.”

In 2025, 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 13 universities nationwide to earn R1, OCU and Community Engaged designations from Carnegie and is the only ACC school to receive the OCU title.��

manages partnerships and programs at UofL with organizations across Louisville, the Commonwealth, and surrounding regions to drive impact in four areas: education, health and quality of life, social and human services and economic development. These programs focus on key areas of partnerships and engaged scholarship defined by the Carnegie classification, including the and the��.

“This recognition highlights our dedication to integrating community engagement into UofL’s core mission,” UofL Vice President for Community Engagement Douglas Craddock said. “This distinction reaffirms our role as a trusted partner in advancing the public good.”

��of all institutions that hold this distinction.

The university also boasts a record high fall-to-fall retention rate of 84.1%, showcasing student satisfaction and success.

“Our enrollment and retention numbers send a clear message – students want to be here at the University of Louisville,” said President Gerry Bradley. “This remarkable growth is a powerful vote of confidence from thousands of students who have weighed their options and chose UofL and Louisville as their home. We’re committed to providing an outstanding education that prepares them for the careers and challenges of tomorrow.”

Enrollment highlights

Preliminary figures show that 3,373 first-time college students enrolled for the fall 2025 semester, a nearly 8% increase from the previous year.

Other highlights of the Class of 2029 include:

• 38.6% are first-generation college students
• Nearly 27% are from other states
• Top five majors are engineering, nursing, biology, education and business

Overall undergraduate enrollment increased by nearly 1,000 students, with notable gains in the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science, the College of Business, the School of Nursing and the College of Arts and Sciences. Graduate and professional enrollments also rose, particularly in the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.

This year’s student body also includes representation from every Kentucky county, a testament to UofL’s statewide impact and reach.

Expanding student opportunities

Behind these record numbers are intentional efforts to expand access and affordability. The university has invested in targeted recruitment, launched new and innovative academic programs and increased financial aid opportunities. For example, the is one opportunity that makes college more affordable for many out-of-state students. In-state tuition is available to students from Illinois, most of Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and select counties in Tennessee starting next fall.

“I chose UofL because coming here gave me the opportunity to become debt free after college,” said Casey Beck, a third-year College of Business student from Cincinnati, Ohio. “The Border Benefit cut out-of-state tuition in half, and UofL quickly became a top pick in college choices due to the jumpstart on college expenses.”

Final enrollment numbers will be available in November 2025. For more information, visit .

Students enrolled in Elevator are working in small groups to lead real change in the Louisville community. Sandbox participants are building a software business from scratch, retaining 100% equity in the company. Although the classes are coordinated by the Center for Positive Leadership and Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business, students from the College of Arts & Sciences and J.B. Speed School of Engineering also may take the classes and earn 18 hours of credit toward their degrees. The goal is to encourage collaborative, multidisciplinary experience, accomplishments and professional networks that the students can directly build on for the next steps in their careers.

“Our vision is to make hands-on learning a common experience for our students, to give them deep knowledge and immediate job readiness” said Ryan Quinn, associate professor of management and entrepreneurship and academic director of the Center for Positive Leadership.

Elevator: Leading change

In the Elevator class, teams of students majoring in business administration, communications, criminal justice, management, sociology, sustainability or urban studies work at least 24 hours per week with local organizations to improve some aspect of life for Louisville residents. The students receive mentorship throughout the class from professional experts and faculty.

In the current Elevator class, four groups of students are working on projects to implement change in various areas of Louisville:

• Collaborate with Feed Louisville to reduce hunger in the city by identifying untapped sources of surplus food as well as areas of high food insecurity where needs are not being met. The team plans to then connect the sources of food with areas of need to close hunger gaps in the city.
• Grow Da Lat’s Gateaux and Café, a Vietnamese restaurant on the south side of Louisville, by increasing revenue, launching a digital presence and improving training for new employees. They also plan to explore options for a second location.
• Enhance the health and well-being of Louisville residents through the development, improvement and maintenance of greenspaces across the city. The group is working with members of the Greenprint initiative and the UofL Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute to help coordinate efforts among greening organizations.
• Reduce loneliness among seniors in the city with practical, community-grounded interventions. Working with the Envirome Institute, the students will conduct surveys, focus groups and interviews with community members and then create, implement and evaluate strategies tailored to the needs of the specific communities.

Upon completion of the class, students receive access to the Elevator network as a resource for mentorship and job placement. Elevator is supported by the Bufford Family Foundation and managed by the at the UofL College of Business.��

Sandbox: Building software businesses

The Sandbox class allows students from business administration, computer information systems, electrical engineering, graphic design and management to form interdisciplinary teams to identify and validate software products, sell them and seek venture financing. The students retain 100% of the equity in any company they build as part of Sandbox.

Small groups within the current class of 18 students are working on six ideas:

• Due Gooder: Tracks due dates so you don’t have to
• Daker: Home care app connecting clients and caregivers across languages
• Nexus Audit: Finance platform for small-to-midsize businesses to manage accounts payable and accounts receivable
• Night District: A nightlife application that provides guests with a platform to discover, explore and order drinks at bars and nightclubs
• Stuf’d: Digitized menu made for real-time ratings
• CUB: Truck repair invoice and waitlist system for shops

The Due Gooder group already has built and launched a software product that is being used by more than 2,000 schools worldwide. It has more than 10,000 users and is generating $6,000 recurring revenue per month.

In the course, facilitated by Jack Manzella, an instructor and entrepreneur-in-residence in the College of Business, students learn using proprietary technology along with students from other universities around the country which also offer Sandbox. Successful ��companies developed at other institutions are now valued at over $120 million.

“UofL is a nationally recognized leader in driving innovation, spurring economic growth and providing students with the education and experience they need to succeed in the real world,” said UofL President Gerry Bradley. “This amazing new facility, with state-of-the-art amenities, will speed those efforts, creating bold new opportunities for our students, researchers and the commonwealth.”

With state-of-the-art classrooms, lab facilities, conference rooms and a makerspace, the new building will prepare engineering students with hands-on instruction and industry experience. Designed by Luckett & Farley and SmithGroup with Whittenberg Construction as the general contractor, the $90-million project was first announced in Feb. 2024. As the new focal point of Speed School, the building aims to provide the infrastructure that prepares future engineering leaders across Kentucky’s increasingly technology-focused workforce.

“This new Student Success & Research Building represents a strategic investment in Kentucky’s future,” said Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester. With expanded lab space, collaborative learning environments and a focus on innovation, it strengthens our capacity to educate the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers. The state’s $65 million commitment to this project reflects the vital role UofL and the Speed School play in building a stronger, more competitive commonwealth. Louisville has long been the economic engine of Kentucky, and the Speed School is one of its most powerful engines of opportunity and growth.”

In addition to the state’s financial support, UofL has secured nearly $10 million in philanthropic commitments to name spaces within the building. These investments from alumni, industry partners and friends of the university underscore the community’s belief in Speed School’s mission and its impact on Kentucky’s future workforce.

Across sectors that include robotics, artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, additive manufacturing and cybersecurity, the Student Success & Research Building will be equipped with cutting-edge technology to enhance student learning and engineering research. Additionally, the building will be home to student support services that include academic counseling, tutoring, co-op coordination and admissions.

“This building represents opportunity. It is a place where late-night study sessions turn into breakthrough ideas, where classmates become teammates or even lifelong friends, and where we can learn the skills that prepare us to solve real-world challenges,” said Speed School Student Council President Kayla Lancaster. “It gives us the places to work, the tools to build and the support to thrive.”

The building’s opening coincides with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Speed School’s founding.

“The Student Success & Research Building is the perfect way to celebrate Speed School’s Centennial,” said Dean Emmanuel Collins. “It also represents Speed School’s commitment to the next 100 years of engineering excellence and innovation.”

By Michael Phillips

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See photos from the Sept. 4 press conference on .

For more information on the broader impact of the new Student Success & Research Building on the UofL community, visit the .

For more photos of the Student Success & Research Building, see , or view and download or a of the building construction.