For both employees, the recent government shutdown and reduction of benefits provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was a unique opportunity to call attention to the need. According to Dare to Care, one in eight Americans rely on SNAP benefits, including co-workers, friends and neighbors. In Jefferson County alone, SNAP has supported more than 96,000 people and 45,000+ households per month.

One food drive in November that was organized by Lawson delivered four truckloads of donations to the La Casita Center and the Chestnut Street YMCA.听

In addition, just in the month of November, various holiday initiatives were organized by athletics, the Cardinal Commuter Community, Bluegrass Student Collective, Graduate School, School of Music, School of Dentistry, College of 成人直播 and Human Development, Department of Theatre Arts, Early Learning Center, Visitor Information Centers, parking and many more.

plays a pivotal role in all these efforts bringing departments together and setting the tone for collaboration. From hosting initial planning meetings to creating outreach materials and coordinating logistics, the team鈥檚 leadership amplifies the impact and demonstrates UofL鈥檚 commitment to supporting both internal and external community members.

鈥淥ur goal was to unite the Cardinal family in a way that showed the power of working together,鈥� said Vice President for Community Engagement Douglas Craddock. 鈥淭his drive was about more than donations鈥攊t was about building connections and supporting our neighbors during a challenging time.鈥�

Lawson said she sees how UofL lives the community of care principle. 鈥淚n the current environment, people in the world are just going their separate ways, but the Cardinal community has never worked like that. We know it takes a village, we need to stay a village and continue pulling together for one another and the broader community.鈥澨�

Amanda Schweinzger, who grew up in a low-income household in Northern Kentucky, was inspired to start a drive and online fundraising campaign because she knew of people dealing with difficulty from the shutdown. 鈥淚 could not just sit idly by,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 know what it鈥檚 like to struggle, what it鈥檚 like to get help from food pantries.鈥�

Schweinzger, who started with her own department, grew the outreach from there. She decided to partner with Dare to Care, who supplies the , extending to the broader community and giving back to an organization that gives to UofL students year-round.

While physical donations are always appreciated, Dare to Care encourages monetary donations because they can fill in the gaps in what is needed most and can supply perishables such as fresh meat and produce. Every dollar donated to Dare to Care means two meals for needy families.

For her campaign, Schweinzger set up a and has already raised more than $500. Her goal is to bring in $1,000 by end of January 2026.

Schweinzger said in her experience as a student and now as an employee at UofL, she sees empathy and generosity as a common core value of the campus community. 鈥淭hey care about people, and the community around them, and they’re always willing to rise to the occasion.鈥�

Supported by a collaborative effort with the , Jefferson County Public Schools and the Ohio Valley 成人直播al Cooperative, the MTRP has worked to enrich Kentucky education by providing support to a diverse community of educators who are equipped to offer a comprehensive, culturally responsive and inclusive educational experience that benefits every student.

鈥淔orty years ago, UofL and JCPS planted a seed that is still bearing fruit, a vision for educators who reflect and uplift their communities,鈥� said Tabitha Grier-Reed, dean of the College of 成人直播 and Human Development. 鈥淭hat mission is as urgent today as it was in 1985.鈥�

Planting the Seeds of Purpose

On its 40th anniversary this fall, alumni, students and community leaders gathered at the Speed Art Museum not just to celebrate history, but to recommit to a future where every child learns from teachers who are supported, mentored and prepared to succeed.

鈥淥ur mission isn鈥檛 finished. We are called to build on the foundation and continue preparing diverse educators who will meet the urgent needs of our schools and communities,鈥� said MTRP Director Whitney Taylor 鈥�25.

The event highlighted the program’s powerful legacy of opening doors. UofL alumna and community leader Alice Houston 鈥�75 recalled her involvement in 1987 at the first High School Teacher/Mentor Future Teachers鈥� conference.

“For so many students, the dream of becoming a teacher felt out of reach, not because of talent, but because of access and opportunity,” Houston said. “That鈥檚 why this work matters: to open doors, close gaps and remind students that their dreams are within reach.”

Kim Curry 鈥�06, 鈥�08, who also completed the program, said Houston was the one who inspired her to pursue teaching.

“It just opened up a whole new world for me,” Curry said. “That day, I saw possibility.”

Mentorship and Community

The MTRP program has thrived because of its network of partners in the Louisville community.

鈥淎s an educator and superintendent, I know firsthand how mentorship shapes a career and a calling,鈥� said Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood. 鈥淔or forty years, MTRP has given aspiring teachers the confidence, guidance, and heart to step into classrooms ready to make a difference. Its impact is seen every day in the lives of students across JCPS and in the educators who continue to rise because someone once believed in them.鈥�

JCPS has been a strong partner to the program from the beginning.听

鈥淭he future of MTRP remains transformative. For forty years, this program has supported, uplifted, and empowered generations of educators. I鈥檓 inspired knowing this vital system of support will continue to shape classrooms and ensure that every student receives what they need to thrive,” said Aimee Green-Webb 鈥�96, 鈥�01, 鈥�07, who served as MTRP Coordinator from 2005鈥�2007 and is the retired JCPS Chief of Human Resources.听

During a panel discussion, former administration and alumni reflected on the MTRP’s foundational culture, which shaped their careers and ensured their persistence.

Former Director Bonnie Marshall 鈥�92 characterized the program as having an “open-door culture” designed to continuously encourage students. This environment aligns with the belief of former Director Lohelen Hambrick, who sees teaching as “a calling, not just a job” and MTRP alumna Venita Benboe 鈥�99, who stressed that while passion initiates a teaching career, “it is sustained support and mentorship that keep them there.”

Looking Ahead

The program鈥檚 dedication to preparing educators aligns with . MTRP helps the university fulfill its goal to deliver exceptional educational experiences that graduate skilled, purpose-driven citizens prepared to shape the future.

鈥淭his program has reminded me of my purpose and given me the confidence to keep going,鈥� said Nadia Pratt, a student currently in the MTRP program. 鈥淢y goal is to graduate, continue my education with a master鈥檚 degree and champion literacy as a classroom teacher. That鈥檚 how I plan to carry this legacy forward.鈥�

Together with university, district and community partners, MTRP is building a lasting foundation for educational excellence听and听impact.

鈥淭his milestone is not just about looking back. It is about renewing our promise to our students, to our communities, and to the future educators who will step into classrooms because of MTRP,鈥� Taylor said. 鈥淚t is a promise to Kentucky鈥檚 future educators that they will not walk alone.鈥�

View photos from the event on .

Amy Asadoorian, College of 成人直播 and Human Development, and Audrie Lamb, Office of Communications & Marketing, contributed to this story.听

Since its inception, the WHAS Crusade for Children has provided nearly $20 million in grant support to UofL and , fueling groundbreaking research, innovative education and expanded access to high-quality care for children with special needs.

This year, that legacy of generosity continues with more than $325,000 in new awards supporting programs and equipment that directly improve the lives of children and their families:

• $200,000 for new equipment in听 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• $50,000 for equipment at
• $22,500 for equipment in the听
• $30,000 to support the UofL听
• $22,000 for special education scholarships in UofL鈥檚

This support has touched nearly every corner of the university 鈥� from classrooms to clinics, and from local outreach programs to statewide initiatives 鈥� making a lasting impact on Kentucky鈥檚 most vulnerable children and their families.

鈥淥n behalf of the University of Louisville, I extend heartfelt thanks to the WHAS Crusade for Children for their extraordinary generosity and decades of unwavering support,鈥� said听Jeffrey Bumpous, UofL executive vice president of health affairs and medical school dean. 鈥淭ogether, we are transforming lives, strengthening families and building a brighter future for children throughout the commonwealth.鈥�

The latest investment from the Crusade will further elevate UofL and UofL Health’s ability to educate the next generation of health professionals and expand innovative care to more children and families in need.

鈥淭he partnership between the WHAS Crusade for Children and the University of Louisville is proof that this community鈥檚 generosity truly changes lives,鈥� said Dawn Lee, president and CEO of WHAS Crusade for Children. 鈥淯ofL continues to transform grants into care, research and education that make life better for children with identified needs. This legacy has opened doors for generations of children, and the best is yet to come.鈥�

For more than 30 years, the partnership has not only brought critical resources to special needs children, but has also helped advance UofL鈥檚 and UofL Health鈥檚 missions of improving the quality of life for the communities they serve.

“This enduring partnership demonstrates the power of philanthropy and collaboration,鈥� said UofL Health Interim CEO Jason Smith. 鈥淔rom education and research to compassionate, hands-on care, the WHAS Crusade for Children鈥檚 generosity has improved lives across the Commonwealth.鈥�

Now, the Charlottesville native is finding that his new life mission is calling him back to Louisville, this time to campus as a PhD student in UofL鈥檚听听

鈥淎fter rehab, it was a soul-searching moment for me,鈥� said Jones. 鈥淚 had to realize or redefine what my purpose was, and why I believe I was put here.鈥澨�

A public speaking engagement at UofL Health 鈥� UofL Hospital about his journey back to wellness became a turning point for Jones. 鈥淭he impact it had on the people I spoke to resonated with me and so I am continuing to pull that thread to see what happens,鈥� he said.听

Jones, who completed his master鈥檚 degree in educational psychology at University of Virginia, said after researching听UofL鈥檚 PhD program in听, he knew his next step and the right space to do it. Jones remembered how he and his family felt embraced by UofL Health and the local community.

鈥淚t spoke volumes about the type of city Louisville is,鈥� said Jones. 鈥淭his has been one of those rare moments that checked all the boxes 鈥� the community, people and academic pursuit were all exactly what I desired.鈥澨�

Jones hopes to create a global non-profit working with kids from disadvantaged backgrounds, like the one where he grew up. 鈥淚t was a very impoverished area with few opportunities for individuals in those spaces,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 always wanted to better understand the mental struggles and stresses and learn more about the trauma of my childhood. How would it be to pay that forward to the younger generation so they don’t have to face the same hurdles?鈥�

A bit of a Renaissance man, Jones is not only a scholar and an athlete, but a writer and musician, as well. His memoir will be published in November, and in addition to beginning his new doctoral program at UofL, Jones plans to take on more speaking engagements to share his story. 鈥淚 want to build upon that because I just feel like I have an opportunity to really impact a lot of people’s lives,鈥� he said.听

Through this collaboration students in grades 10-12 who are engaged in early childhood-focused academic coursework would have the opportunity to earn a CDA and/or RBT credential during or immediately following their studies in the JCPS Early Childhood Academy program. The CDA credential is the minimum requirement for Early Head Start lead teachers and Head Start assistant teachers.

In addition to helping create career pathways for JCPS students, the program is designed to address the local shortage of childcare and early childhood education professionals, to reach more children, and ultimately deliver on Mayor Craig Greenberg鈥檚 five-year plan to create a pathway to universal pre-K for every 3- and 4-year-old in Louisville.

“The collaboration between the PNC Foundation and the University of Louisville is truly transformative for our community. With PNC鈥檚 support, UofL will develop innovative workforce programs that strengthen the early childhood education sector,鈥� said Greenberg. 鈥淭his aligns perfectly with my administration鈥檚 鈥楾hrive by 5鈥� initiative, a five-year plan to create a pathway to universal pre-k by ensuring that every 3- and 4-year-old in Louisville has access to quality early learning. The impact of this work on our children, economy and future will be extraordinary.鈥�

The program鈥檚 impact could be substantial, with up to 100 participants per year potentially working toward completion. The practical experience placements would be in high-needs environments, including commercial centers, nonprofit centers, school districts, Head Start programs and private programs serving economically disadvantaged populations or children with specific disabilities.

鈥淎s a longtime champion for high-quality early childhood education, PNC is committed to improving access to resources and programming for our community鈥檚 youngest learners,鈥� said Kristen Byrd, PNC regional president for Kentucky. 鈥淒eveloping future educators who can help prepare children for success in school and life is central to this work, and all of us at PNC look forward to the impact this program will create for educators and students in Jefferson County.鈥�

The ECRC was established by the UofL College of 成人直播 and Human Development in 1999 to conduct and disseminate research on early childhood development and education. Jon Lee, recently appointed director of the ECRC, will lead this innovative project.

“The effort between the PNC Foundation and the University of Louisville is a crucial step forward in supporting early childhood education in our community,鈥� said Brandy Scott, Instructional Lead in Career Pathways at Jefferson County Public Schools. 鈥淎t JCPS鈥� Early Childhood Academies, we are committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive and get a jump start on their postsecondary education or career. We expect the support from PNC to allow us to expand our efforts in preparing our youngest learners for long-term success, while also strengthening the early education workforce. This initiative will have a lasting impact on children, families and the future of education in Louisville.鈥�

鈥淲e are grateful for the PNC Foundation鈥檚 support in this critical initiative,鈥� said Lee. 鈥淭heir commitment to early childhood education and economic development aligns perfectly with our mission to foster high-quality educational environments for young children and support the development of future educators.鈥�

For more information about the ECRC and its initiatives, .

Committed to advancing the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) community, the SOA is focused on a strategy to build a STEMM workforce that reflects the culturally rich, innovative and diverse talent pool of the United States.

SOA has engaged hundreds of partners to implement STEMM Equity and Excellence 2050: A National Strategy for Progress and Prosperity, with the goal of helping 20 million people from historically excluded and marginalized communities enter, contribute to and thrive within STEMM fields.

For UofL, this is a transformative effort that includes the College of Arts & Sciences, College of 成人直播 & Human Development, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, and School of Medicine in networking with national foundations, companies and the federal government to offer scholarships and expand the opportunity for STEMM careers to more students.

鈥淔or too long, many students have had to swim upstream to pursue careers in STEMM and UofL is joining the vital effort to seek fundamental, systemic change. Complex problems require multifaceted, creative, and innovative solutions, which are best addressed with diverse teams bringing distinct perspectives to achieve scientific excellence,鈥� said James Orlick, director of grant writing and innovation for UofL鈥檚 Office of Institutional Equity. 鈥淓quity and excellence are connected.鈥�

鈥淕etting a foot into the door, into a field that you don’t even know that you like, can change everything,鈥� said Gibson, a senior in the . 鈥淚 didn’t know this field that even existed before meeting Dr. Rochner.鈥�

Gibson has been working in a lab for over a year researching dendrochronology 鈥� the study of measuring tree rings to establish age of historic trees. By analyzing the distinctive patterns of tree rings in living and dead trees, she can create a detailed record of environmental conditions and help date archaeological sites.

鈥淚t鈥檚 crucial because it can confirm construction dates and accurately determine the archaeological timbes and artifacts,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t can also help confirm the history of different people.鈥�

Gibson鈥檚 summer research project has two parts. The first part is dating samples from the various structures such as the Riverside Planation in Louisville. The second part is a literature review on how dendrochronologists discuss the legacies of slavery in their work and how the dendrochronology can be used as a tool to tell lost stories.

鈥淣o matter what, you are dealing with this uncomfortable history. We are complicit in this work unless we say something and unless we are active in doing something about it,鈥� said Gibson. 鈥淭his is going to be an on-going project through my senior year because if I’m going to do this, I really want to do it well.鈥�

Twenty-nine students are participating in UofL鈥檚 (SROP). SROP provides University of Louisville undergraduate students an intensive 10-week research experience with a faculty mentor in any discipline.

Dominic Laduke, a geography student in the , participated in summer research to explore his passion of meteorology.

鈥淕etting to college and seeing all the research that goes into the different products that we use for meteorology really interested me and I knew that I wanted to do something like that,鈥� Laduke said.

His project focuses on simulating how severe weather interacts with cities. By creating a detailed computer model of a virtual city, complete with increased roughness to represent buildings and changes in temperature to reflect the urban heat island effect, Laduke’s research examines the impact of aerosols 鈥� tiny particles suspended in the air 鈥� on these weather events.

Traditionally, research on severe weather and cities has relied on observations of past events. Laduke’s project uses computer modeling to create simulations, providing a deeper look into why these interactions happen. This research could lead to more accurate forecasts.

鈥淭he main goal of all of this research is to keep people informed and safe,鈥� he said.

Some SROP students are even taking their research global. Gunnar Goshorn, a fine arts and liberal studies student in the , developed an intensive art program at the University of Rome.

Goshorn鈥檚 artistic journey began with a performance art experience that sparked a passion for the experimental and the essence of art. This curiosity led him to take a chance and reach out to a professor, a decision that blossomed into a collaborative summer research project.

鈥淲hat really got me to reach out to my professor was just how open she was in the classroom. I just sent her an email saying I found a scholarship and would really love to try and create an opportunity not only for myself but for her as well,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 huge part of the creative identity is building connections and the most beautiful thing about those connections is that they can be built between any two creatives.鈥�

UofL’s diverse environment also played a significant role in Goshorn’s desire for research. From professors with a traditional appreciation for art to classmates with a range of backgrounds and identities, UofL has provided a playground of experiences and perspectives for him. This exposure has not only shaped Gunnar’s artistic identity but also solidified his commitment to staying and building a community within Kentucky.听

鈥淯ofL has been a hundred percent the right choice for me because I don’t think I would have had this experience or anything like this at any other school,鈥� Goshorn said.

Funded by the NSF, a nearly is helping UofL cultivate environmentally conscious educators to equip students with knowledge of Louisville’s environmental issues and promote a more just and sustainable city.

Eight JCPS teachers participated in a six-week summer program where they partnered with UofL faculty in their urban-based ecological research. Mackenzie Kuhns, a Waggener High School chemistry teacher, collaborated with UofL Biology professor Mikus Abolins-Abols to study how Louisville鈥檚 urban heat island effects its robins.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 like biology very much before I started this,鈥� said Kuhns, who has previously participated in RET programs at UofL. 鈥淚 have an appreciation now when learning about field work and different career opportunities for my students. When doing these programs, I always have something fun to bring back to them.鈥�

For some teachers, it was their first lab or research project. Justin McFadden, an associate professor in the and one of the principal investigators of the grant, said this experience with UofL researchers strengthens their teaching.

鈥淟earning what research is and what can happen during research helps our teachers think about what their students are capable of in classrooms,鈥� McFadden said. 鈥淭hat’s one of the hidden things that come to life when you’ve been working in a lab for six weeks.鈥�

The second part of the institute was to create curriculum support pieces that the teachers can weave into the established JCPS science curriculum.

Erin Brock, a biology teacher at Seneca High School, said the program opened her eyes to all kinds of environmental issues she was unaware of previously and by bringing in local examples, her students will be more engaged throughout the year.

鈥淲e learned that Louisville is the fifth most air polluted city in the nation. And I was like, 鈥榃hat the heck?鈥�,鈥� said Brock, a first-year participant in a RET program at UofL. 鈥淥ur cohort has talked about how we don’t want to be all doom and gloom. We want to show students the activists working to address these issues. Some of these neighborhoods that are more affected by environmental issues are not able to have a voice for various reasons and we want our students to know that and to speak up.鈥�

Teachers seeing themselves as agents of changes is one of the primary goals of the program, according to Linda Fuselier, chair of the and one of the principal investigators of the grant.

鈥淟earning about pollution, in and of itself, can just be depressing and boring,鈥� Fuselier said. 鈥淏ut when you put it into the context of here are some activists right down the road from you who are working to interpret the science so that communities understand what is going on with these big industries and regulating authorities, it can make the content hit home.鈥�

During the school year, teachers will receive ongoing support through professional development sessions and a collaborative network designed to foster curriculum sharing, continued research and teacher leadership.

The NSF grant will fund the program for an additional two years to train a total of 24 teachers. Applications for the summer 2025 cohort will open in the spring.

鈥淭his is absolutely the best training I’ve ever had as a teacher, to make me a better teacher. I feel like I have so much to bring to the classroom this year that I want to get the kids kind of hyped up about. I’m very thankful for UofL for offering this program,鈥� said Brock.

Through the Ascending Star Fellowship program, the partners with academic units to accelerate scholarship and promote the national reputation of exceptional mid-career researchers. During the year long program, the fellows work with an external mentor and are coached through an ambitious project that moves their scholarship to the next level of development.听听

This year鈥檚 class 鈥� representing four schools 鈥� includes:

• Faisal Aqlan, , whose work focuses on automation, process improvement, engineering education, and sensor-based virtual reality for manufacturing and healthcare applications.听
• Daniel Bennett, whose work focuses on how environmental change influences entrepreneurship and innovation, and the implications for regional and national economic development.
• Melanie Gast, , whose work focuses on race, class, and gender in higher education.
• Omid Ghasemi Fare, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, whose work focuses on geothermal energy, thermo-hydro-mechanical modeling and characterization of soils, unsaturated soil, heat and mass transport in porous media, transportation geotechnics and geotechnical earthquake engineering.听
• Meg Hancock, , whose work focuses on gender and diversity in sport organizations, career development in sport and sport and social change.听
• Elizabeth Munnich, College of Business, whose work focuses on developing and evaluating strategies for improving health and reducing healthcare spending by more efficiently and effectively utilizing healthcare resources.
• Noppadon Sathitsuksanoh, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, whose work focuses on converting carbon feedstocks from plant biomass, waste plastics and carbon dioxide into advanced fuels, biomaterials and battery components.
• Siobhan Smith-Jones, College of Arts and Sciences, whose work focuses on exploring African American women as interpretive communities and, through the fellowship program, on Black horror television.
• Ian Stansel, College of Arts and Sciences, director of UofL鈥檚 Creative Writing Program and fiction/non-fiction writer.听

鈥淚鈥檓 ecstatic to work with this year鈥檚 cohort and help further their already stellar careers and scholarship,鈥� said M. Cynthia Logsdon,听associate vice president for research and innovation, who leads the fellowship program. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e already 鈥榮tars,鈥� of course, but our goal is to help them shine even brighter.鈥�听

To be considered for the program, faculty must be associate professor rank, must be nominated by their unit and must show a 鈥渃onsistent record of scholarship with the passion and desire to achieve greater national recognition.鈥�听

Hamilton and Nielson are the 2024 recipients of the which recognizes innovative ideas with the potential to improve educational practices and student achievement.

Their findings argue that decades of public funding cuts have crippled public universities’ ability to serve racially and economically disadvantaged students, with schools enrolling the most marginalized students receiving the fewest resources.

Hamilton and Nielsen pinpoint three major developments in higher education over the past 50 years that contribute to a separate and unequal system: demographic shifts in student enrollment at public universities, significant cuts to public funding for higher education and the decline of race-based affirmative action during this period.

“These issues are deeply interconnected,” Hamilton said.

The book identifies a cyclical pattern of racial resource allocation within universities, driven by the three historical dynamics. The cycle has five elements:

• The social construct of 鈥榤erit鈥�
• The racial segregation in higher education
• The racialized organizational hierarchies
• Unequal access to private resources and
• Inadequate student support

鈥淲e see a cycle whereby resources are allocated through mechanisms that distribute them along racial lines,鈥� Nielson explained. 鈥淭he cycle channels educational resources to universities that serve more privileged student populations and starves universities serving primarily racially and economically disadvantaged students.鈥澨�

Hamilton and Nielson also emphasized the importance of reminding the public that higher education is a public good, benefiting everyone, not just a private commodity.

鈥淭hat kind of thinking traps you because you can鈥檛 step out of it and think about what it looks like to actually design institutions for social good rather than for people we think have successfully competed in the market to attain those services or goods,鈥� Hamilton said.

The Grawemeyer Award in 成人直播 has been presented yearly since 1989. The annual $100,000 prizes also honor seminal ideas in music, world order, psychology and religion.

“Our hope is that the book can be used by universities with limited resources to fight for more support,” Hamilton and Nielsen said. “The Grawemeyer Award is a powerful platform to amplify our message that public universities need public funding. We are thankful for this recognition.”

The $100,000 Grawemeyer prizes also honor seminal ideas in ,听,听听and听. Winners visit Louisville to accept their awards and give free talks on their winning ideas.

.听