Vodden joins UofL from East Tennessee State University, where she served as the inaugural vice president for marketing and communications. In her role at ETSU, Vodden led an integrated team of more than 30 marketing and communications professionals and guided the department through a comprehensive brand modernization, digital ecosystem overhaul, renewed focus on internal communications and integrated marketing strategy that contributed to record new student enrollment and recognition as a Great College to Work For®.����

“We are thrilled to welcome Jess as a Cardinal and look forward to her leadership as she guides a talented team of professionals who work tirelessly to tell UofL’s story and shape and elevate the university’s brand,” Bradley said. “Jess brings with her an established track record in helping universities with integrated marketing and narrative strategy, digital transformation and crisis communications. Her experience with higher education policy groups and mission-driven organizations also proves invaluable.”��

An enterprise marketing and communications executive for more than 20 years, Vodden previously served as the chief marketing officer at Savage Grant, a social impact investment firm focused on economic and workforce development, as well as in a senior role with the West Virginia Higher ����ֱ�� Policy Commission. She also founded VLS, a behavioral design and communications advisory practice that worked with universities, government agencies and nonprofits.����

Vodden holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations, with minors in Spanish and graphic design from Marshall University and a Master of Public Administration in nonprofit management from the University of Colorado Denver.����

At UofL, Vodden will serve as a member of the president’s leadership team and work with campus leaders to shape the narrative of UofL’s next chapter, focusing on strategic priorities including academic success, enrollment growth, innovation, connecting with community partners and growing the university’s national reputation.����

“As one of only 13 universities in the nation recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a top-tier institution for research, community engagement and student success, the University of Louisville exemplifies everything a public university should be,” Vodden said. “I am honored and humbled to join President Bradley and the university community as they build on recent historic achievements, including record enrollment, major gains in student retention and groundbreaking investments in research and innovation that will help build a brighter future in Kentucky and across the world. ��

Vodden replaces John Karman, who has served in the interim vice president role since late 2024. Karman, who guided the Office of Communications and Marketing through several major initiatives during his tenure, will return to his role as university spokesperson and executive director of communications.����

Vodden will begin at UofL on Aug. 17.��

“Social work really aligned with my desire to help people like those I grew up with find resources for mental health, financial assistance, food assistance, even scholarships for college like I found for myself,” she said.

Johnson, who earned a bachelor’s in social work degree from the UofL Kent School of Social Work and Family Science in May, said she faced financial and family hardships growing up in the Portland neighborhood and debated whether to go to college. Fortunately, Johnson ultimately found her ideal path as a first-generation student at Kent School. She interned at the Department of Child-Based Services through Kentucky’s Child Welfare CW-PREP, an innovative career preparation program that provides scholarship funds and a path to employment for students interested in making a positive impact serving the children and families of Kentucky.

“I grew up around individuals impacted by the child welfare system, and it shaped my desire to be a social worker who leads with understanding rather than judgment,” Johnson said.

As a Kroger Scholar, Johnson has been a coordinator for Nourish the Ville, a food drive targeting the West Louisville “food deserts” and partnering with the local non-profit Cabbage Patch. She also founded the Black Business Society, a club which connects UofL students with networking, career assistance, financial literacy, mental health and other resources. Johnson hopes to continue both these community service activities beyond graduation.

UofL News talked to Ka’Lynn about how University of Louisville and Kent School have influenced her life path and what’s next for her.

UofL News: As a recent Kent School graduate, what have you learned about the impact social workers can make?

Johnson: Social workers create impact at every level for individual, family, and community by being both advocates and support systems. For individuals, social workers provide guidance, mental health support and resources during vulnerable moments. For families, they help strengthen communication, promote reunification when safe and connect them to tools that build stability. On a community level, social workers address systemic issues such as poverty, food insecurity and access to health care.

UofL News: How has your social work education and training in CW Prep enhanced your understanding of the clients you hope to serve?

Johnson: The training has given me a greater understanding of trauma, resilience and systemic barriers. From coursework and hands on experience in child welfare, I have learned that families are often navigating generational challenges, not just isolated problems. It also helped me understand the importance of trauma-informed practice, ethical decision-making, clear communication and empathy while maintaining professional boundaries.

UofL News: How does social work embody your passion and purpose?

Johnson: Social work reflects my personal mission to create stability and opportunity for families who may feel unheard or unsupported. My passion is in helping families break cycles of instability and access the resources they deserve. Social work allows me to turn my experiences, education, and leadership into meaningful action.

UofL News: How do you hope to help your clients in the field?

Johnson: I want to provide trauma-informed mental health support and empower them to see their own strengths. I want families to leave services feeling more stable, confident and hopeful about their future. I also hope to mentor other students entering social work, especially those facing personal hardship, to show them that resilience and purpose can coexist. I want to model leadership that is grounded in service and integrity.

UofL News: What are your post-graduation plans?

Johnson: I currently work as a pharmacy technician at Kroger but hope to transition soon to work at DCBS and gain a few years of experience there before considering other options like perhaps starting my own non-profit. I want to become a licensed social worker and plan to begin my MSSW (master of science in social work) program at UofL in spring 2027.

UofL News: What has been the best part of your UofL Kent School experience?

Johnson: As a Kent School graduate, I am proud to be part of a 90-year legacy that values service, advocacy and community transformation. My journey has not been easy, but it has strengthened my commitment to becoming a future licensed clinical social worker who leads with empathy and courage. I am grateful for the education and mentorship that have prepared me to carry this mission forward.

With AI come questions, and the University of Louisville is dedicated to bringing answers through research and academic initiatives that uncover solutions for our campus and community.��

In June, the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute at UofL will kick off a new series to teach the community about the ins and outs of AI and data centers. The Exchange: Data Centers 101 will include weekly webinars until July 8 and a culminating session on July 23 at 6 p.m. featuring a film screening, followed by a panel discussion.

Through six virtual webinars,��The Exchange��will bring in subject matter experts to examine data center impacts in topics such as health, community and the environment. The webinars, hosted by the Community Engagement Cores of Green Heart Louisville and the UofL Superfund Research Center, are free and open to the public.��

Data center developers are investing more than $30 billion dollars in large-scale data centers across the state of Kentucky to keep up with the demand of the booming AI industry. The webinar series aims to help the community learn how to navigate the impact of these efforts, in response to significant local interest in the subject.

The first webinar,����will be hosted virtually at 12 p.m., June 3. Mohana Gutta from the UofL J.B. Speed School of Engineering will lead a deep dive into what a data center is and explore the infrastructure that powers artificial intelligence.

To register,��.��

In less than one week, a five-mile section of I-65��between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street) will close to for bridge replacement as part of the I-65 Central Corridor Project. The shutdown will run through Friday, July 31.

The associated ramp and intermittent local street closures will directly impact UofL’s Health Sciences Center downtown campus as well as Belknap campus.

Patients, employees and students should allow for extra travel time and use the Waze navigation and live traffic app to find the most efficient routes during the two-month closure. Please refer to the ��for��news/information, FAQs and other resources that relate to the project’s impact on UofL, including new student orientation.

In addition, the , includes details about the project, such as maps, news, traffic alerts and more. The site also includes links to receive text and email updates about the project.

For questions related to impacts on UofL, email ULI65@louisville.edu

��Houts and Richards shared their experiences with UofL News.

UofL News: You are both non-traditional medical students. How has your journey into medicine been different from the “typical” path? How has UofL shaped this path?

Houts: When I finished high school, I accepted an ROTC scholarship to attend Fresno State, where I studied biochemistry and found a passion for science. Several years into active duty, I realized that wasn’t where I saw myself in 20 years, so I started looking around at other opportunities. A friend made a connection with a surgeon on base, and she let me shadow her in the OR. I was enamored with the idea that someone could go under anesthesia with a terminal disease and wake up healthy and cured. The University of Louisville has provided a place for me to grow and pursue my passions freely while earning my medical degree. I’m especially grateful to all the great mentors I’ve had and connections I’ve made here who have supported my ideas.

Richards: I knew early on that I wanted to work in medicine. After high school, I chose to take a break before beginning college and serve an ecclesiastical mission in Argentina. I spent two years there, away from family, friends and academics, and focused on the importance of serving other people. This time provided me with the opportunity to see others as they are and to truly understand their genuine needs. I quickly realized the importance of human connection and the selflessness that is needed to care for others compassionately. Upon my return from Argentina, I refocused my attention on becoming a physician and applying those deep-rooted lessons to that goal. ��While here at ULSOM, I have had the privilege to work alongside amazing people and bright minds who have supported my goals and aspirations to not only become a doctor, but an entrepreneur and innovator in the field of medicine. This trailblazing school offers countless opportunities to network with renowned physicians and inventors, all of whom are so willing to provide meaningful advice and assistance in my work.

UofL News: At what point did each of you realize you wanted to go beyond practicing medicine and actually innovate within it?

Houts: A majority of medical school is a game of mass memorization. This makes sense, given the vast advances that have taken place over the last 100 years. But spending a day memorizing facts doesn’t fuel my drive. I love to create. When I first met my now wife, I told her it was my goal in life to play and write rock music. I got my MBA from Berklee College of Music because I wanted to be able to market myself as a songwriter and artist. Eventually, I realized I preferred music as a passion instead of a job, but that same desire to create and build something from scratch never went away. I love looking at a problem and trying to discover a new solution. There have been so many evenings I’ve started working on a project or idea, and before I know it, I look at the clock and it’s 11 pm, and I haven’t had dinner. Nothing I’ve built has been a sacrifice; it’s all been a labor of love.

Richards: With my beginnings in rural medicine, I had many opportunities to create, reexamine and iterate new policies and workflows for the small medical staff to improve the care we offered to our underserved patients. The changes I implemented started with simple modifications, such as how we organized our office and how we performed basic patient intake skills, and eventually they led to how we improved our in-office procedures and patient care outcomes. These everyday changes helped me see the impact of innovation on a small rural healthcare ecosystem, and it evolved as I started my education at the School of Medicine. Here, I have been able to see the broader impact of medicine and the everyday processes and tools that we utilize to impact patients. As seen by Dave Brailsford’s British cycling team, making improvements in minor ways can create a revolutionary outcome, and I believe that applying that process to medicine will dramatically improve our healthcare system to what patients deserve.

UofL News: Can you walk me through one of the devices you’ve developed and the impact it could have on patient care?

Both: Our most developed product is called Precisionject… a novel device that attaches to an existing syringe to modify the user’s grip so that they can hold a syringe like a pencil for improved placement accuracy, stability and control. Precisionject attaches to the syringe plunger and controls it with a modulator near the needle-end of the syringe so that the user does not need to move their hand to inject or pull out fluids while performing procedures under ultrasound guidance. The current approach to highly precise injection procedures requires one hand to hold the syringe and push down on the syringe’s plunger to eject the solution. This leads to inaccurate placement, injured tissues, failed procedures, and poor patient satisfaction. By utilizing Precisionject to hold the syringe like a pencil, it allows the user to take advantage of a familiar grip to improve needle placement and decrease tissue damage. Our goal is to empower physicians and elevate the standard of patient care.

UofL News: For someone outside the medical field, how would you describe Claustrum Design in simple terms?

Both: We create new medical and surgical devices to improve patient outcomes and help physicians perform at their highest level. For some of our devices, this may look like lowering a post-operative complication rate; for other projects, it might be improving a logistical process that happens in the hospital basement that no patient will directly encounter. At the heart of everything we do, you will find the patient. Every product we make is aimed towards improving their health and hospital experience from the moment they walk in the door until they return home to their family.

UofL News: How has your experience at the University of Louisville contributed to the way you pursue something like this?

��Richards: The University of Louisville has one of the most community-minded and supportive environments for students to thrive and grow. As we have begun this journey, we have encountered countless people who believe in us and want us to succeed. From our phenomenal team at Tech Transfer to the physicians at UofL Health who have provided meaningful feedback, to our fellow students who inspire us, I don’t think it’s possible to find a more supportive atmosphere for students to grow.

UofL News: What would you advise a prospective medical student who wants to follow your steps?

Houts: I’ve always lived by the motto that I’d rather live with failure than regret. I’ve probably had 100 ideas for medical devices since starting school, and 96 of them didn’t turn out well. I used to shy away from this reality because I thought it meant I was a failure if my idea didn’t succeed. I’ve since come to realize that none of that really matters, and the worst thing I can do is not try or give up on my ideas for fear of failure. I would tell anyone else who has an idea in their field to go for it. The failure isn’t as embarrassing as you think it’ll be, and the prospective rewards that await are priceless. Chase your ideas- the journey they’ll take you on is the adventure of a lifetime.

Richards: First, I can’t stress the importance enough of surrounding yourself with great people. I am fortunate enough to have amazing mentors, friends and family, and Justin is no exception. Justin has been a great partner to work with, and we have created a deep friendship throughout this work. Seek out the people who believe in you and always find ways to support others. Second, great innovators are always looking to improve the world around them. Take the time to identify the problems around you and be patient with yourself as you imagine what could fix that problem. Finally, stick with it and be relentlessly engaged in your goals.

UofL News: What’s the next step for your invention?

Houts: We are going to keep pursuing these projects we have started and see where they take us. We will have the first working prototype of Precisionject built soon and will start in vitro trials to get as much quantitative data as possible to support our continued grant applications and funding opportunities. Maybe if we’re lucky, we’ll even be able to drum up some interest from investors soon. We’ve been accepted to attend a business conference in Salt Lake City in June, so we will present our company there and see what connections we can make. We’ve recently partnered with Dr. Redi Rahmani, the director of cerebrovascular neurosurgery at Jewish Hospital, on a project that looks to improve the logistical operations behind OR turnover. Safe to say, you can probably find us in the library studying, in my garage 3D printing and sketching, or at our laptops at 10 p.m. on a Friday writing grant applications. And on the rare occasion, we get the privilege of talking with other people to share our vision and goals for the future.

The endowed Heidi S. Margulis Scholarship was announced as a surprise on May 21 at the University Club on Belknap Campus. The Humana Foundation is honoring their board member Margulis with a starting gift of $300,000 to establish the new scholarship.

Margulis’ early years in a family with the fraught history of a mother’s and grandmother’s escape from the Holocaust fueled her passion for change and a desire to give back to the community that nurtured and sustained her. Margulis’ journey of positive community transformation in Louisville originated at UofL with her own scholarship and overseas work-study immersion program that culminated in a degree in International Studies with honors in December 1974.

Following in the footsteps of her UofL political science professor and mentor Landis Jones, Margulis became a Capitol Hill intern, working with U.S. Senators Wendall Ford and Dee Huddleston. She served during the tumultuous era of the Watergate Scandal.

Margulis began her career with Humana in 1985, and in her 34-year tenure, she led Humana’s government affairs strategy while also managing the company’s charitable foundation, community engagement and corporate social responsibility initiatives. She retired as chief corporate affairs officer in 2019.

Following her retirement, she has served on The Humana Foundation board and the operating board of UofL Health, among other community and government boards.

Margulis said, “One of my core beliefs and values is that everyone deserves a fair shake in the system.”

The first Heidi S. Margulis Scholarship will be awarded to a SPHIS student in fall 2026.

See the .��

The program integrates leadership training with federal policy insight and skill development, equipping fellows to take on key roles in an evolving sector. Fellows take part in retreats, interactive learning opportunities, projects and a placement experience at another college or university. The program also provides the chance to build a valuable network of higher education leaders. The fellowship year offers opportunities for ACE Fellows to view leadership in action and emerge with both the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to implement effective changes for higher education.��

“Being named an ACE Fellow offers an opportunity to deepen my engagement in institutional decision-making, learn alongside a national cohort of peers and draw from proven best practices to strengthen leadership capacity and drive meaningful, mission‑centered impact,” Craddock said.��

Craddock joins an elite list of previous ACE Fellows from the University of Louisville. They are Richard Clover, 2001-2002, and Aristófanes Cedeño, 2006-2007. UofL also has hosted five fellows through the��American Council on ����ֱ�� program.

The ACE Fellows Program is one of the longest-running leadership development programs in the United States with more than 2,500 alumni – many now��presidents, provosts and senior executives.

Central to this success is Get Healthy Now’s strategic outreach to medical plan enrollees, encouraging preventive care through primary care provider visits while elevating awareness of chronic condition management and mental health resources. These coordinated efforts have contributed to measurable increases in participation across wellness programs, demonstrating the power of intentional, inclusive engagement.

The awards also recognize UofL’s continued commitment to wellness during times of adversity, highlighting how colleagues across the university come together to support one another on their wellness journeys, even through difficult times. Further underscoring this commitment, the university embedded well-being into its future direction through Strategy 1.2, “Champion well-being, belonging and a flexible, adaptive work environment,” within UofL’s 2026-30��. Together, these honors celebrate not only program excellence, but shared dedication to cultivating a healthier, more resilient university community built on collaboration, compassion and care.

“I am deeply honored to accept these awards on behalf of the University of Louisville,” said Tamara Iacono, wellness coordinator for Get Healthy Now. “Seeing our campus community come together with such intention and compassion, especially during challenging times, has been truly inspiring. This recognition affirms the collective commitment of our colleagues to prioritizing wellness and supporting one another. I am grateful that well-being remains a university-wide priority, and I look forward to continuing to build on this strong foundation as we advance our focus on wellness through the new Strategic Plan.”

That collective commitment is reflected across the campus community��and��in close collaboration among wellness leaders. Iacono works closely with Whitney Sweeney-Martin, director of faculty success and well-being, to align and advance university-wide wellness initiatives. A passionate advocate for well-being herself, Sweeney-Martin served as a speaker at this year’s event, delivering��The Journey of Alignment: From Personal Well-being to Collective Impact. Her remarks emphasized the powerful connection between individual well-being and team culture, inviting participants to explore how self-awareness, intention and compassion can drive positive, collective outcomes; values that closely mirror the collaborative approach she and Iacono bring to UofL’s wellness work every day.

These awards celebrate the work underway and��signal what’s possible when wellness is prioritized at every level of the university. With strong collaboration, bold vision and continued commitment, UofL remains focused on advancing a culture of well-being that empowers its people and strengthens the university for the future.

UofL encourages employees to explore available resources at the����and continue building a healthier workplace together.��

That commitment to student success recently earned Aaron Calhoun, a tenured professor of pediatrics in UofL’s Division of Critical Care Medicine and an attending physician in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Norton Children’s Hospital, the 2026 UofL Trustees Award.

The UofL Board of Trustees established the Trustees Award in 1989 to honor faculty who individually impact the future of our students. The award is intended to recognize faculty (full- or part-time; undergraduate, graduate or professional; even groups of faculty) who have had, currently or in the past, an extraordinary impact on students.

Calhoun was formally acknowledged as the Trustees Award recipient at the April 23 UofL Board of Trustees meeting.

In her remarks at the Board of Trustees meeting, Trustee Sherrill Zimmerman said, “Aaron is an exceptional teacher and mentor to UofL students, residents, fellows and faculty. His extraordinary talent for teaching has led to important national and international roles in education – broadening his impact beyond our university.”

Calhoun’s overall philosophy of learning is based on two basic axioms: learners in healthcare need to move past the “what” of the subject matter into the “why,” and learners can make this journey best when taught in engaging, psychologically safe environments. He focuses on embodying his philosophy of learning by developing and implementing immersive physiology-based, teamwork and communication-oriented scenarios set within the clinical environment using established adult learning theories.

From the nomination, one of Calhoun’s students said, “(Dr. Calhoun) is, by nature, energetic and full of action. He is a good listener and a calming presence during challenging circumstances. As a teacher and mentor, he always responds to a call for aid or advice, but often in a way that helps you find your own answer and grow in your own experience. He has a gift for knowing what his team, students, patients and their families truly need in the moment.”

Calhoun was presented with the award at the April 28 .

“I was surprised and honored to learn I had received this award and am deeply grateful to the Board of Trustees for selecting me,” Calhoun said. “It is humbling to think that students I taught more than a decade ago still have such positive memories of the experience. Since I first came to the University of Louisville, I have loved teaching here and have felt it to be a place where you can put down deep roots as a faculty member and make a real difference in the future of our students. I look forward to continuing that in the years to come.”

“I was an entrepreneur before I knew what an entrepreneur was,” Allen said. “In elementary school, I would fold up paper and sell origami – probably not very good origami. In high school I would bake brownies and sell snacks to the students. When COVID hit, I offered homework assistance to other students for an additional stream of income. I didn’t realize that was an entrepreneur mindset, but it was something I really enjoyed.”

As a Central High School student, Allen was selected for the����with the��. The program offers high school students the chance to earn college credits and a direct path to admission to the school.

The stress of adding college coursework to two jobs, high school and navigating COVID restrictions nearly derailed the opportunity. She messaged the instructor that she wanted to quit the course.

“I was in distress. I just wanted to drop this class,” Allen recalled. “I had so much going on. I was a manager at Arby’s and that was all I knew.”

A conversation with Raymond Green, the then-principal at Central and current senior director of undergraduate programs in the College of Business, changed her attitude toward work and education.

“I didn’t know a story of going to college and finding a career. For the first time in my life, someone told me, ‘You have your whole life to work at fast food. This is an opportunity that you wouldn’t want to miss,’” Allen said. “So, I continued on with the course.”

After graduating from high school in 2021, Allen enrolled at UofL and took part in an internship with UofL Campus Dining, which she held for two years.��

“It didn’t feel like working,” Allen said. “I liked putting together events for students. Going from thinking of the promotions or activities and how to decorate and fast forward to being at the event and seeing everyone enjoying it was fulfilling.”

Allen also took advantage of Alternative Service Breaks, travelling to Puerto Rico and Chicago. Most recently, she took a trip to the Black Elk Wilderness and Mount Rushmore through the����and Campus Recreation.

Challenges and support

While Allen enjoyed her classwork and the college experience, mental health challenges threatened her success. Allen experienced several bouts of serious depression, resulting in failing grades and the loss of financial aid. She felt like her life was crumbling around her. Her instructors worked with her and encouraged her to get help at the��. She would find solutions only to experience another setback.

“There were a lot of moments where I didn’t know what the end looked like for me. It got so bad where I genuinely felt like it would be better to not be here anymore,” Allen said. “At one point, I attempted suicide.”

But her support network rallied to help.��

“I had so much support around me. I had support through the school, my friends and my family showed up for me. I have a community through church,” Allen said. “I told myself I would no longer be a victim. I just wanted to take control of my life.”

With help from her UofL instructors and staff and support through her employer, Allen’s financial aid was restored and she got back on track academically.��

This month, Allen graduated from UofL’s College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, a minor in entrepreneurship and a certificate in sales. She encourages anyone struggling with depression to get help and push through.��

“If I could talk to someone who is in that position I would tell them, ‘Don’t give up. Keep pushing. Keep trying. It’s OK to cry, wipe your tears and get back up. Just don’t give up.’”

A bright future

For her next step, Allen has secured a full-time position at Republic Bank, where she originally worked as an intern.

Kat Roberts, Allen’s director at Republic Bank, praised her growth since joining the bank.

“LaRoya Allen joined Republic Bank as a contact center intern and has since grown into a client experience representative who truly embodies our commitment to exceptional service,” said Roberts, VP and director of contact center client experience for Republic Bank. “She brings a rare combination of professionalism, warmth and genuine care to every interaction. I’ve had the privilege of watching her evolve from supporting behind-the-scenes initiatives to becoming a standout representative. LaRoya’s positive energy and dedication make her not only a valued team member, but a true ambassador of our client experience.”

Allen’s long-range plans include engaging her entrepreneurial spirit through additional education and creating a youth program.

“I do plan on going back to school after a few years of working. I want to focus on building my own business and climbing a ladder in the field that I choose