Four years ago, Jim Walls drove nearly 500-miles from Fayetteville, Georgia, to begin his freshman year at the University of Louisville. Prior to arriving on campus, Walls was acquainted only with his future roommate from Maryland, whom he had briefly interacted with on Instagram over the summer.

Even though he was far from home, Walls’ strong desire to connect with the UofL community proved invaluable during his first year. He actively sought out opportunities to get involved, which ultimately helped him find his place on campus.

“I had to come in with the mindset of being at a disadvantage because I’m from so far away,” said Walls. “But I knew if I put myself out there and got involved in different organizations, I’d be able to make my own friends and find groups of people to interact with.”

Walls was drawn to UofL because of the pre-dentistry program, . UofL School of Dentistry offers early admission opportunities to exceptional high school seniors who demonstrate a commitment to pursue a lifelong career in dentistry. As a pre-dental student, Walls was able to take a class at the School of Dentistry called “Introduction to Dentistry.” His favorite part was doing community service work with the school.

“There’s one instance where we went over to Seneca High School and actually were teaching some students about oral hygiene and handing out toothbrushes and other items,” he said. “That was a very enriching experience I’ve really taken to heart and is something I’ll always use as motivation going forward in my career.”

Walls became interested in the field of dentistry in elementary school when his family dentist discovered a tumor in his mom’s throat during a normal check-up.

“It ended up being something that potentially changed and saved her life, so from an early age I’ve always thought very highly of my dentist,” Walls said.

Walls, a biology student graduating from the , plans to attend dental school after graduation.

From Kenya to Kentucky

Ibrahim Henry Peterson, an international student in the , found his passion for the field through his upbringing in an orphanage in Kenya.

“Growing up without parents and going to school was not an easy experience. I faced many challenges, but it also taught me resilience and the value of hard work,” he said. “These experiences have deeply influenced my desire to make a positive impact on others’ lives.”

One of Peterson’s biggest adjustments as a student was the differences in cultural and academic environments. He vividly remembers doing poorly on his first exam.

“Despite my disappointing performance, every teacher congratulated me on my effort and encouraged me to keep studying hard. They all believed in my potential, which was a stark contrast to my experiences back home,” Peterson said. “Their support and belief in me inspired me to persevere and improve.”

After graduation, Peterson is considering a career as either a nurse anesthetist or a medical doctor. His goal is to start a clinic in his Kenyan community to provide much-needed health care services and give back to the area where he grew up.

Reflecting on his time at UofL, Peterson advises incoming international students to view challenges as opportunities for personal and academic growth.

“Don’t hesitate to seek help from academic advisors, tutors, and counseling services whenever needed,” Peterson said. “Practicing your English regularly will also enhance your communication skills. Exploring the city of Louisville can offer a well-rounded experience, so take the time to enjoy what it has to offer. And lastly, prioritize your health and well-being to maintain a balanced and successful academic life.” 

It’s a question that spans millennia, and one each society and people has sought to answer through language. The result is thousands upon thousands of unique words, describing feelings, emotions, moods and sensations – what we taste, touch, smell, hear and see.

The words vary, slightly, from culture to culture. What English-speakers might call “happiness,” for example, could be compared to the Japanese “shinrin-yoku,” literally translating to forest bathing to describe the joy of a walk in the woods. Or, to the Croatian “fjaka,” meaning the sweetness of doing nothing. The Icelandic word “sólarfrí”, or sun vacation, captures the elation you experience when you get an unexpected day off from work.

Understanding the origins and nuances of these words could shed new light on human experience around the world, said Brendan Depue, a neuroscientist at the University of Louisville.

To achieve that goal, he and colleague Tamara Newton joined the Human Affectome Project, a global interdisciplinary task force of 173 scientists from 24 countries aimed at exploring these emotional linguistics. The result of the intercontinental research was an integrative framework for emotions and moods that could serve as a common focal point for further studies of the affective sciences.

Simply put, the task force laid out a plan to universally talk about your feelings.

“One might think emotion is a universal thing, and biologically, it is,” said Depue, an assistant professor and endowed chair of behavioral brain imaging and neurobiology at the College of Arts and Sciences. “We’re all born with basically the same hardware – the brain. But culture and other experiential inputs differ, and how we express that through linguistics can in turn reinforce and shape how we experience it.”

THE BRAIN MAY BE STEERING THE SHIP, BUT EMOTION IS ONE OF THE MOST OVERTLY OBSERVABLE PARTS OF HUMANITY AND BEING HUMAN. I’VE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN WHY HUMANS DO WHAT THEY DO, AND EMOTION IS INSIGHT INTO THAT.
– Brendan Depue

Think of the human brain like a computer. It comes preprogrammed with certain software for emotions – six basic ones, in fact, giving us capacity for happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust and surprise. Through our unique experiences and cultures, we gain new software that adds nuance (say, fjaka for happiness) and degrees of intensity (say, rage as a more intense degree of anger).

“This new research is meant to make our understanding of emotion much more inclusive of all of those factors that can help shape it,” said Newton, a professor of psychological and brain sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. “There are all of these factors affecting our experiences that research just hasn’t considered before, such as voice, gender, race and culture.”

The task force scoured data from some 4.5 million books to identify more than 3,600 words in them describing sensations, emotions and moods. Then, 12 teams of researchers from different countries worked to group those words and connect them to what we know about emotions and feelings from current neuroscience research. Depue and Newton were the only faculty from Kentucky universities to participate.

Each of the global teams tackled a different area of emotion, from anger to happiness to motivation. Depue’s group focused on understanding words describing fear, while Newton focused on ones describing social interactions. Each group had a mix of researchers from different disciplines, which Depue said gave new insight into how words describing emotions are shaped and, in turn, shape us.

For example, imagine you’re going to miss an important work deadline. Your brain might experience your heart pumping and your palms sweating and name that emotion as “fear.” Because your brain knows that word, it can reference the emotion going forward or even invoke it. If you think of the word “fear,” you might associate it with that heart-pumping feeling or work stress.

That is, while our brains choose the words that describe our emotions, those words can then affect the way the brain experiences them.

“The brain may be steering the ship, but emotion is one of the most overtly observable parts of humanity and being human,” Depue said. “I’ve always been interested in why humans do what they do, and emotion is insight into that.”

Current research on the brain and emotions is fragmented, Newton said. It’s studied in pockets and often doesn’t include all of the various ways of examining human experience – through psychological interviews, through word choice and, as with Depue, by looking at the physical structure of the brain.

Newton hopes projects like the Human Affectome will create a more holistic body of research that could have dramatic and wide-ranging impacts, such as more comprehensive mental health treatments and artificial intelligence programs that better emulate human emotions.

“Anything we can do to work against the fragmentation of science is useful,” she said. “Hopefully by pulling this research together, we can help other researchers look at this in a more holistic way.”

To read and learn more, take a look inside the .

Slayton’s struggle was not unique. According to the U.S. News & World Report, about 35 million people live in higher education deserts – areas with limited access to public colleges and universities.

To reduce barriers to college attendance and help strengthen communities in Kentucky – where the college-going rate is below the national average, the University of Louisville launched two new programs focused on preparing young students for college at home and across the commonwealth – including a college readiness coaches program Slayton is taking part in as a coach.

The goal is to boost the college-going rate of students in the state and help diminish the negative impact of education deserts, leading to more students earning degrees so they can boost their communities and local economies after graduation.

Finding an oasis

Research shows the further away someone lives from a college, the less likely they are to pursue a degree. Students from diverse backgrounds or lower-income families are particularly impacted by education deserts and other barriers to higher education.

“In Kentucky, there are a lot of counties declared as education deserts,” said Brandy Chamberlain, director of the college readiness coaches program through UofL’s Office of Online Learning. “So, what we looked at were counties that do not have more than two open-access higher education institutions within a 50-mile radius.”

The college readiness coaches program equips current UofL students with the knowledge and skills to help high school students across Kentucky prepare for what to expect throughout the college application and admission process. The student coaches travel to high schools to help answer questions about college from high schoolers, act as peer mentors and encourage students to continue into higher education, whether at UofL or other universities.

Now a senior majoring in criminal justice as part of the 3+3 accelerated law program at UofL, Slayton is empowering high school students to take on the college-going process with confidence.

“I had to do things on my own, so I hope to provide a sense of comfort for students to feel confident that they are doing the right thing,” Slayton said. “Seeing the excitement of these (hopefully) future Cardinals and helping them get their foot into the door of the college experience is really rewarding.”

Going back, giving back

LaRue County High School – Slayton’s alma mater – was the first to sign on for the program, which launched this fall. She returned to LaRue County every week during the fall semester to serve as the program’s first college readiness coach.

“Kennedy going back to LaRue County is hopefully going to show so many students that they can also be successful and access their own higher education,” Chamberlain said. “I hope the coaches are fulfilled knowing that they are making a difference in some people’s lives.”

“I want to be a guidepost, so students have direction and access to higher education, no matter where they decide to go or if it’s online,” Slayton said. “I’m excited to help students find the best continuing path for them and not stop at a high school diploma. I want to help get more of those first-generation students over the barrier of wondering ‘Is college for me?’ and let them know they do have a pathway to a successful and attainable future and help them find the right fit based on their individual goals and personality, not just where their friends go.”

The student coaches work closely with UofL’s admissions counselors to share information about financial aid, scholarships, academic programs, housing applications, meal plans and more. Coaches also help connect high school students with specific counselors, staff or faculty who are experts in the academic field the students want to study. Slayton said she hopes she can help fill the gap for high school counselors who are overworked with limited resources to encourage students to attend college.

“As a (high school) senior, I knew I was going to UofL. But not many people in LaRue County go to UofL, so the counselors were focused on other colleges,” Slayton said. “Students have asked me about my college experience in general, why I chose UofL, how I picked my major and where I live on campus, so it feels more like a big sister conversation than a staff-to-student conversation. That helps them open up to me so they can figure out the best path forward for them.”

Chamberlain aims to add five more coaches this year, with the ultimate goal of having a coach in every Kentucky county to create positive impacts on students and their communities across the commonwealth.

“The value I see in this is that when we uplift a person, we uplift their family,” Chamberlain said. “Maybe it’s a first-generation student, and then their cousin says, ‘Hey my cousin did this, maybe I can too.’ We’re hoping this builds a cycle and ripple effect of uplifting families and their communities to deplete education deserts.”

Cardinals Rising

UofL is also helping young students in its own backyard prepare for college through the new Cardinals Rising program.

Led by Daquarius Mahone, associate director of college readiness and student success, Cardinals Rising empowers local students and cultivates pathways to higher education through mentorship, intentional relationships and strategic investment. The program focuses on building a college-going culture among underserved, low-income and first-generation students in grades 8-12 by matching them with UofL student ambassadors who serve as mentors to help demystify the college process.

“Charity begins at home, so we’re starting with Jefferson County Public Schools. The goal is to produce students who contribute to our community and drive workforce development for the city and the state,” Mahone said. “We want to help reduce dropout rates and fill in those opportunity gaps to help students in eighth grade go all the way to graduation. We are the bridge to make sure those students make it through to high school graduation, to college graduation and on to their successful future and life.”

The program will provide year-round engagement, curriculum and ongoing student mentorship as a collaborative effort with UofL’s academic colleges and resources.

“We have an opportunity to bring about such a change in the lives of our future students, which affects the future of our community, our state and it begins with this,” Mahone said. “We are investing in the lives of young people.”

Planning the future

Cardinals Rising inspires young students to break the norm and begin thinking about college before they reach their junior or senior year of high school. Additionally, each spring, UofL encourages freshmen, sophomores and juniors to attend Think College Now, a half-day event to help students starting out on their college search.

With a campus tour, student panel, workshops on financial aid, student life and more, Think College Now gives students an opportunity to dip their toes into the college experience and begin planning their path to higher education.

These programs are just the beginning for students who are launching their futures through earning a degree.

“We’re building relationships and saying, ‘Hey, the University of Louisville cares, we’re here to help and it’s not us just saying come to UofL,’ ” Chamberlain said. “It’s us saying we care about you. We care about your future. We’re here to help you find what is the best fit for you.”

To read and learn more, take a look inside the .

Karimi finds inspiration for her pieces in psychology, architecture, relationships and Louisville. But mostly she uncovers inspiration in recollections. Her brand captures the longing humans have to embrace and express their own memories.

When Karimi is asked to recount how she got to where she is today, vivid memories of failing a class project, a night out where she decided to quit her job and of the support of her friends and family from Louisville and UofL meld together to craft her own story much like she melds metal to design her jewelry.

“Shahla is the bravest person that I know,” said Casey Harden ’07, who has been close friends with Karimi since high school. Now the senior director of engagement at the Frazier History Museum, Harden graduated from UofL with a bachelor of arts in humanities. “(Shahla) always had a gift for art and design. She isn’t afraid of the next step or trying something new. Life is a balancing act and Shahla is a professional plate spinner.”

The mind behind the designs

Born in Louisville, Karimi spent her middle and high school years in Oldham County before finding her way to UofL in 2000. She entered as a pre-medical student with an interest in psychology.

When recalling her time at UofL, Karimi mentioned the friendly atmosphere on campus. She also remembers, however, that being a student in the University Honors Program was often challenging. After graduating from high school as a straight-A student, Karimi experienced her first failing grade in a psychology class at UofL. Despite finishing the class with an A, she remembers this moment as a wakeup call that taught her to take things seriously. It helped her gain a strong work ethic, a skill that has been vital to her success.

She earned a bachelor of arts degree in 2004 and continued to New York University where she majored in graphic design. From there, she entered the corporate space and spent a decade immersed in digital and physical product work before finding her place at a creative agency, Code and Theory. She credits her mentor, the company’s current CEO Michael Treff, for guiding her away from the corporate realm and onto the entrepreneurial path.

She remembers a Kentucky bourbon-fueled evening where Treff encouraged her to pursue her dream. Karimi quit her corporate position the next day.

“From the first time we met, I was struck by (Shahla’s) incredible passion, drive and unwavering determination,” Treff said. “She’s a force. She built this business all on her own, (and) it’s really remarkable. I’ve watched Shahla become a mentor herself, generously giving her time to nurture the next generation. Shahla is living, breathing proof that with enough passion, perseverance, intelligence and creativity, you can create anything.”

Making it personal

Shahla Karimi Jewelry launched in 2014. Karimi put everything she had into her business as it expanded, turning a profit for the first time in 2018.

“There is no such thing as an overnight success,” she said. “An overnight success is five to seven years.”

Though she enjoys every project, her favorite pieces to craft are those which celebrate a milestone. Drawing on her lifelong love and appreciation for psychology, Karimi translates customers’ stories and memories into uniquely personal pieces.

In addition, Karimi strives to keep her collections inclusive and genderfluid. Her specialty collection focused on men’s jewelry is called JOON, drawing inspiration from a Farsi term of endearment meaning life or soul. This collection was born from Karimi’s appreciation of marriage as a decision a couple makes together as an equal unit.

Karimi’s jewelry has been displayed by a handful of celebrities including Reese Witherspoon, Gigi Hadid and Carrie Underwood. At Super Bowl LVIII, Taylor Swift showed off two of Karimi’s 14k gold ruby rings from her Chromatic Collection.

“Taylor Swift was the epitome,” Karimi said with a smile.

Though designing jewelry for big names is an exciting part of Karimi’s career journey, she also enjoys creating bespoke pieces for many of her friends from UofL in celebration of life achievements like engagements and promotions. She keeps in touch with many of her peers from her time on campus, citing some as daily sources of inspiration and others as resources for professional development.

Karimi noted that remembering and nurturing these connections has helped her business thrive.

“Through the power of word-of-mouth recommendations, a significant proportion of our online sales now originate from Louisville and its surrounding areas,” she said.

The beauty of architecture

Drawing from her experiences at UofL, Karimi shared what a piece representative of the university itself might look like.

“When envisioning a jewelry piece inspired by UofL, I am drawn to the distinctive brutalist architecture on campus,” she said. “The angular forms and intriguing geometries of structures like the Bingham Humanities Building and the Interfaith Center serve as a wellspring of creative inspiration.”

Karimi credited architect Zaha Hadid as the muse behind three of her collections to date, including an exclusive capsule sold online at Zales. Hadid’s “Bench,” a futuristic cast aluminum bench, will be displayed as a part of the Speed Art Museum’s initiative Speed Outdoors slated to open in 2025 and will provide Louisvillians with an opportunity to connect art and nature.

In fact, many of her brand’s collections reference the architects responsible for prominent buildings in Louisville, such as Frank Lloyd Wright who designed Wright Tower on Dutchmans Lane and Mies van der Rohe who composed the American Life Building downtown. Karimi recalls that downtown Louisville’s Main Street boasts one of the largest concentrations of cast-iron buildings, second only to the SoHo District in New York City where she currently resides.

When envisioning a jewelry piece inspired by UofL, I am drawn to the distinctive brutalist architecture on campus. The angular forms and intriguing geometries of structures like the Bingham Humanities Building and Interfaith Building serve as a wellspring of creative inspriation.
– Shahla Karimi

Though her favorite piece changes as her work continues, she currently loves the Azadi Puff-Set Convertible Body Chain, a versatile piece that can be styled in a variety of ways. This item is part of the Azadi Collection – the Persian word “azadi” translating to freedom – and takes its inspiration from the Azadi Tower in Iran.

Karimi’s jewelry and brand is representative of a lifetime of important moments etched into memories and how passion and perseverance can come full circle – reminiscent of the rings Swift wore at the Super Bowl that brought her pieces to the forefront.

She wants future UofL graduates and entrepreneurs to know they can achieve their dreams, too. They just need to remember one thing.

“Fail fast,” she said. “The faster you fail, the faster you grow.”

To read and learn more, take a look inside the .

Read more about the research into our sweet emotions in the , along with stories about preparing high schoolers for college, mini grant funding that’s making a large impact in local communities and a jewelry designer who is fully in her golden era.

Inside this issue…

• Teach them while they’re young, right? University students and staff are helping high schoolers both here in Louisville and throughout Kentucky plan their path to higher education. Ready, set, graduate!
• Many hands make light work, and mini grants make life work. Cardinals are changing their communities thanks to small grants from the Gheens Foundation that are making big impacts in Louisville and beyond.
• ������playing with memory, a UofL alumna draws inspiration from recollections to create her own collection of designer jewelry that is being worn by stars like Taylor Swift.

All these stories and more that showcase UofL’s connection to our alumni here and beyond are now available in the latest edition of .

Please Note: As of 2024, UofL Magazine has moved to two issues per year – one edition for spring/summer and another for fall/winter.