The Yum! Scholars Program, launched this fall through the in the UofL College of Business, has welcomed 10 students to its first cohort. Yum! Scholars, who may be from any school and major across the university, receive up to $8,000 in financial support and mentoring within a community designed to help them become the next generation of leaders who drive growth, innovation and success in the franchising world. Successful scholars will embody the spirit of leadership, resilience and community impact.

“Being selected as a Yum! Scholar means having the support and opportunity to turn my hard work and dreams into a future where I can give back to my community,” said Ethan Walker, a junior majoring in business administration and one of the scholars selected.

The program is made possible by a $1-million endowment from Yum! Brands, demonstrating Yum!’s commitment to investing in the next generation of franchise business leaders. The program aims to prepare talented individuals for thriving careers in franchising, business and leadership.

“It’s truly a pleasure to support these amazing students from Yum! Brands’ home state of Kentucky,” said Kat Abner, senior manager, community impact for Yum! Brands. “It is so rewarding to continue working with the University of Louisville on innovative ways to provide a best-in-class education to those interested in a career in franchising. The industry’s future leaders are being trained today at the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence.”

The is a cohort experience that builds a strong community of changemakers driven to make a difference on campus and beyond. As part of the program, each scholar will receive $1,000 per semester for up to eight semesters and engage in franchising education and community designed to inspire them to explore careers and leadership in the franchise industry. Each year, the program plans to add five students from the incoming freshman class.

Yum! Scholars are selected for academic potential along with how they live out the four core values that reflect the spirit of the Yum! Scholars Program:

• Drive:��Demonstrate grit and determination by rising above obstacles and turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
• Leadership:��Lead with integrity, courage and empathy – taking initiative and inspiring positive momentum in every endeavor.
• Belonging:��Respect and value the unique experiences of others, fostering an environment where all people and voices are welcome.
• Impact:��Strive to make meaningful contributions that create lasting, positive change on campus, in communities and beyond.

Yum! Scholars will have exclusive opportunities to engage with franchise industry professionals to help build their professional network and provide real-world franchising insights as part of the scholars’ community, while pursuing the degree of their choice.

“These students will be prepared to become leaders in the franchising industry,” said Kathleen Gosser, director of the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence. “Franchising provides a tremendous entrepreneurial opportunity for students who are driven and focused. This program will help boost their success and accelerate their careers.”

Yum! Scholars must be residents of Kentucky or a state covered by UofL’s tuition reciprocity agreements and must complete at least one of four designated undergraduate online courses in franchise management during their junior or senior year. To remain eligible, scholars must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and participate in program events, which include workshops, networking and professional development. Current high school seniors are encouraged to to be part of the 2026 cohort by Sunday, Dec. 15.

The 2025 Yum! Scholars

• Brian Alonso, Sophomore, Business Admin
• Mohammed Alyaserri, Junior, CIS
• Mateo Barrientos, Junior, Public Health
• Maycee Decker, Junior, Biology
• Ezra Foote, Sophomore, Political Science
• Kyleigh Greenwell, Sophomore, Accountancy
• TaRon Smith, Junior, Neuroscience
• Key’Shawn Stoner, Sophomore, Business Admin
• Ethan Walker, Junior, Business Admin
• Trinity Ziakas, Sophomore, Psychology

The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange initiative, once again saw a strong representation from UofL.

Nine UofL students earned 2025 Fulbright Awards, securing opportunities for research and English teaching assistantships. Since 2001, UofL has been a Fulbright powerhouse, producing over 180 scholars (the most in Kentucky) and earning national recognition seven times.

Those receiving����������:

Research Grants:

• Laura Hanna ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, to Jordan.
• Oluwadamilola (Dammy) Jeboda ’25,��College of Arts and Sciences, to Switzerland.
• Brady Smith ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, to Germany.
• Calian Zirilli ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, to Chile.

English Teaching Assistantships (ETA):

• Piper Coleman ‘25, College of Arts and Sciences, will teach in Taiwan.
• Anna Kelly ‘25, College of Arts and Sciences, will teach in Spain.
• Ryan Apperson ‘24, College of Arts and Sciences, will teach in Turkey.

Bryan Lopez ‘25 and Jasmine Procita ‘25, College of Arts of Sciences, who also received ETA Fulbrights, will be pursuing alternative endeavors.

Additionally, the , which offers immersive academic programs and cultural exploration in the United Kingdom, recognized Ace Farris,��College of Arts and Sciences. Farris will participate in the “Modern Britain: Institutions, Power, & People” at King’s College London.

The Fulbright award often represents the culmination of years of dedicated effort for many UofL students. Jeboda, a recipient of the prestigious award, engaged in research throughout her undergraduate career at UofL. Her undergraduate research exploring Malawian public opinion on wastewater-based epidemiology with associate professor Rochelle Holm at Envirome Institute was .

Jeboda encourages students to explore and participate in undergraduate research.

“Pursue a topic that you would genuinely like to learn more about. One of the most exciting aspects of research is finding answers to your questions. And don’t shy away from interdisciplinary research,” Jeboda said.

Jeboda also credited the Honors Program as playing a significant role in her success.

“The Honors Program has been central to my career at UofL. Within it, I’ve learned a lot, found incredibly supportive mentors and been exposed to professional development opportunities,” Jeboda said. “It’s been a smaller community within the university, and made my experience feel more personal.”

Other prestigious scholars

Two students were awarded the����from the U.S. Department of State. The CLS program provides opportunities for overseas language and cultural immersion in critical languages that are essential to the United States’ engagement with the world.

CLS recipients are:

• Tia Alchureiqi,��College of Arts and Sciences, for Portuguese.
• Rehan Kahloon,��College of Arts and Sciences, for Arabic.

Five students were awarded the a nationally competitive award for Pell Grant eligible students to study abroad.

• Amanda Estefany Cobian Batista,��studying in Spain for the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Isabella Sara Santos Bastien, studying in Brazil fall semester 2025.
• Zahraa Ahmed Hatem Abbas, studying in Italy summer 2025.
• Kadence Bradford, studying in Costa Rica summer 2025.
• Nalani Avalos, studying in South Korea summer 2025.

Railey Stonex ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, was awarded the , which supports graduate study in the United Kingdom for outstanding UofL College of Arts & Sciences graduates.

Tuesday Shaw, College of Arts and Sciences was awarded��the to Moldova. The Boren Awards provide students in all fields of study with funding for immersive study abroad in languages and regions of interest to U.S. national security.

Gzeonie Hampton, College of Arts and Sciences, was named a recipient of the . This program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, prepares outstanding individuals for careers in the U.S. Foreign Service.

Henrietta Ransdell ’21, ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, was awarded the . This fellowship fosters mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding through immersive work experiences in Asia.

Alexandria Ipock-Groves,��College of Arts and Sciences, was named a finalist for the created by the Obama Foundation and Brian Chesky. This scholarship supports young leaders with financial aid, travel experiences and mentorship.

Over the course of a year, fellows collaborate with an external mentor and pursue an ambitious scholarly project aimed at advancing their research to the next level. This year’s class includes:

• Dereck Barr-Pulliam, , focusing on how individuals solve complex problems in auditing and accounting contexts.
• Chris Brody, , analyzing musical form in tonal and Baroque music, using corpus-based methods to study structure and style.
• Marci DeCaro, , exploring the cognitive processes underlying learning and performance, emphasizing how insights from cognitive science can improve educational instruction.
• Minjie Huang, , studying executive compensation, corporate culture, investments and behavioral finance.
• Heehyul Moon, , researching health disparities, dementia caregiving and service utilization among racially and culturally marginalized older adults.��
• John Ritz, , using electroacoustic music and interactive computer systems to create innovative chamber and experimental works that integrate live performance with technology.
• Caroline Sheffield, , working on multimodal literacy in social studies education, the integration of technology in classroom instruction and site-based teacher education.
• Susan Tanner, , studying the intersection of artificial intelligence, linguistics and law.
• Hui Wang, , focusing on energy storage materials and solid-state battery technologies.
• Alex Widdowson, , studying the development of crime over the life course, the long-term consequences of criminal behavior and justice system involvement, and prisoner reentry.

To be considered for the program, faculty must be associate professor rank, nominated by their unit and show a “consistent record of scholarship with the passion and desire to achieve greater national recognition.”

“At UofL, what we celebrate reflects what we value as an institution – research, scholarship and creative activity. This event is so important because it shines a spotlight on YOU — the backbone of UofL’s knowledge enterprise,” said Jon Klein, UofL’s executive vice president for research and innovation.

Eight signature awards were presented for outstanding achievement.

• Researcher of the Year – Ayman El Baz, professor of bioengineering, J.B. Speed School of Engineering. A global leader in AI and bio-imaging, El Baz’s AI-powered autism diagnostic was licensed to Brain Diagnostic and widely covered by media. With 50 patents, $29 million in grants and 23,000 citations, El-Baz is translating ideas into real-world solutions – contributions that push boundaries and benefit humanity. El-Baz is bridging engineering and health care and enhancing diagnostics through AI.
• Innovator of the Year��– Ginevra Courtade, professor, College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development. A leader in special education, Courtade authored five peer-reviewed publications in 2024, including pioneering work on AI to enhance instruction for students with intellectual disabilities and frameworks for accessible STEM education. Her projects address teacher shortages, especially in rural regions, and shape national special education policy.
• Center of the Year��– Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences. Led by J. Christopher States, CIEHS is a powerhouse in understanding how environmental factors affect health, from air quality to chemical exposures, with an interdisciplinary approach uniting medicine, engineering and public health. Its mission is to advance scientific discovery, train the next generation of researchers and translate findings into actionable solutions for communities.
  

  

• Early Career Researcher Award��– Adam Cocco, assistant professor of sports administration, College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development. In 2024, Cocco published four peer-reviewed articles, including a groundbreaking study on how personal branding and institutional factors shape college athletes’ Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) values on social media. His work tackled retention of first-generation college athletes, offering practical solutions for small institutions and produced resources for athletic programs.
• Creative Works Award – Ché Rhodes, associate professor in fine arts, College of Arts & Sciences. One of America’s top glass artists, Rhodes’ work joined the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s permanent collection in 2022 and was featured in their “This Present Moment” exhibition. His art graced the cover of “Glass: The Urban Glass Art Quarterly.” A UofL faculty member for 20 years, Rhodes previously won Louisville Visual Art’s Educator of the Year award and was an Ascending Star Fellow.
• Research Administrator of the Year��– Anne Noe, manager, Research Grants Program, School of Medicine, who is recognized for her impact in overseeing pre-award services for the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Public Health and Information Sciences. Noe also manages the Summer Research Scholars Program, coordinates Research!Louisville, handles budgets and serves as a vital liaison with the Office of Research and Innovation.
• Industry Partnership of the Year��– Additive Manufacturing Institute of Science and Technology and ISCO Industries. AMIST, led by Tom Berfield, and ISCO Industries, a Louisville-based titan in the world of piping solutions led by President Mark Kirchdorfer, collaborated on innovative manufacturing projects. This collaboration leverages AMIST’s world-class capabilities to enhance ISCO’s innovations, driving real-world impact.
• New Venture of the Year��– Gretel Monreal, Inspired Therapeutics NeoMate System. Monreal and multiple collaborators across several departments are developing the NeoMate Mechanical Circulatory Support System to serve as a bridge for infants with heart failure until they can receive a heart transplant. This miniature, low-cost heart pump will provide up to 30 days of support, improving quality of life for the smallest patients.

Ascending Star Fellows

Nine promising mid-career researchers were recognized for their achievements as the third cohort of Ascending Star Fellows. During this year-long program, they worked with external mentors and were coached through an ambitious project to elevate their scholarship to the next level.��

Amanuel Beyin • Adam Enders • Lesley Harris • Jonathan Kopechek • Matthew Nelson • Stephanie Prost • Farshid Ramezanipour • Hui Zhang • Jianhua Zhao

Patent awardees

In addition, 55 researchers were recognized for the 73 patents awarded to UofL over the last two years:

Alexander V. Ovechkin • Alireza Tofangchi • Andrew P. DeFilippis • Andrew Switala • Ayman S. El-Baz • Balamurugan Appakalai • Charles S. Hubscher • Chi Li • Cindy Harnett • Claudia A. Angeli • Dan O. Popa • Daniel S. Metzinger • David Caborn • Dennis M. Evans • Donald Miller • Douglas J. Jackson • Esma S. Yolcu • George Pantalos • Gerald B. Hammond • Gretel Monreal • Guruprasad A. Giridharan • Huang-Ge Zhang • Jagannadh Satyavolu • Janina Ratajczak • Jason Chesney • John Naber • John O. Trent • John W. Eaton • Joseph A. Burlison • Joshua Spurgeon • Kavitha Yaddanapudi • Kenneth S. Thomson • Kevin Tran • Levi Beverly • Magdalena Kucia • Mahendra K. Sunkara • Mariusz Z. Ratajczak • Mark S. Slaughter • Martin G. O’Toole • Michael H. Nantz • Neal Bhutiani • Nichola C. Garbett • Nobuyuki Matoba • Noppadon Sathitsuksanoh • Paula J. Bates • Richard J. Lamont • Sarah A. Andres • Steven C. Koenig • Sucheta Telang • Thad Druffel • Thomas A. Berfield • Thomas J. Roussel • Yury Gerasimenko • Zhihui Sun • Zhong Yang

The UofL assists researchers by connecting them with funding, ensuring safety and compliance, managing awards and engaging industry. Over the past year, UofL researchers submitted 1,060 proposals, secured more than $188 million in new funding and produced impactful publications, performances and exhibits.

See photos from the awards ceremony .

TRIO offers individuals one-on-one and group academic advising, tutoring, financial counseling, cultural excursions, professional mentoring, career exploration, workshops and more. The initiative also works with pre-college students and provides summer programming, college tours and college application assistance.

This year, during Kentucky TRIO Day in February, UofL TRIO provided two days of workshops, speakers and academic competitions. TRIO Day was established in 1986 by Congress to commemorate the annual achievements of the federal TRIO programs in communities across the country.

UofL News sat down with Laila Shell, a beneficiary of the program and a sophomore in the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development studying middle and secondary education.

UofL News: How did you discover TRIO’s student support services?

Shell:
I was in middle school — I think 7th grade, and I can’t really tell you how it came about or how I found out about it. But I just know a lot of my friends were like, “Oh, there’s this program called TRIO,” and we just all signed up together. We knew that it would allow us to visit colleges, and it was a good opportunity to explore and meet new people.

UofL News:��What was the most beneficial support that TRIO provided you?

Shell:
Definitely the tours, visiting campuses and college readiness. They helped us make sure that we were studying for tests like the ACT, really making sure that we were on track to graduate and have a future in a college or whatever else.

UofL News: What would you say to students who are curious about the support services?

Shell:
I would say try it, you could only gain from it. I feel like the dedication and the warm guidance that they give you is one-of-a-kind; they put their all into making sure that you’re on the right track to graduate and just have a good future.

It’s something you should definitely look into if you have the time for it — go to the sessions, attend the trips. Most of it is very low cost or free, so you really have nothing to lose, all to gain. You make the connections, the network and it’s a good opportunity to make sure that you get yourself out there and prepared for college.

UofL News: How has TRIO Student Support Services impacted your experience at UofL?

Shell:
The study areas that we have and the communal vibe. First-generation students and students who fewer financial resources just all getting together and sharing that space for growth. The resources are there. You can’t say, “I don’t have someone or people to confide in,” they’re all going through the same things you’re going through. It’s just a space to be yourself and get the guidance and resources you need to succeed.

UofL News: How has TRIO impacted your experience? Beyond UofL, do you see your future being impacted by the services that TRIO provided?

Shell:
I think it’s really the connections for me. I feel like we’re all individuals who want the best for ourselves. I feel like the connections that I make within this group is long-term, it’s fulfilling to see people that look like me and that want to be successful in the future. The connections and the networking that goes along within the program are probably some of the most beneficial things for me. Stepping outside of academics, social life on campus is really important to make sure that you’re motivated to keep going and have people to depend on. So, I feel like the networking aspect of it has helped me a lot. I am a better person as far as communicating and making myself known and putting myself out there to try new things and be involved with other aspects of campus.

UofL News: What obstacles would you have faced to your education without TRIO services?

Shell:
I wouldn’t be as open-minded as I am. The barriers that you face as a first-generation student can sometimes limit your beliefs and your expectations for your future. This has provided me more knowledge about the resources that I have on campus. They provide it and they give it to you and it’s just easy to grasp information and resources here. So, without them, I don’t know if I would be able to succeed in college or even be the best version of me.

UofL News: Like envisioning your potential?

Shell:
Yeah, I probably would feel the odds are set against me, you know? But here I feel seen, and I feel valued. That allows me to be the best version of me.

This year’s honorees, representing nine UofL schools and colleges, include researchers, scholars and artists, along with those who provide critical support as administrators.��Their work over the past year helped to advance health, grow our technology workforce, improve equity and more.

“I continue to be impressed by the bold and dauntless sense of curiosity and exploration that’s so foundational to our campus and what it means to be a Cardinal,” said UofL President Kim Schatzel, speaking at the event. “Each and every one of you here tonight brings a passion and energy to that work, and it’s just incredible.”��

At the event, hosted by the , several major awards were presented to:��

• • , of the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development, who won Researcher of the Year for his work to shape mental health practice, especially for adolescent trauma-informed care and treatment;
  • , of the Schools of Dentistry and Medicine, which won Center of the Year in part for its recent $12 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study links between the human microbiome and disease, which could lead to better treatments for a range of conditions;��
  • , of the College of Arts and Sciences, who won the inaugural Creative Works Award for her innovative work to marry technology and art, via an artificially intelligent painting collaborator;
  • Cheri Hildreth, of , who won the Unsung Hero Award for leading the launch and growth of the environmental health and safety programs over her 30-plus years of service to UofL;
  • Natalie Christian, of the College of Arts and Sciences, who won Early-Career Researcher of the Year for her work to harness plant-associated microbiomes to improve crop health;
  • and , of the Kent School of Social Work, who won the Grand Challenger Award in Empowering our Communities for their work to create supports for youth and their families most impacted by community violence and racial trauma;
  • , of the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, who won the Grand Challenger Award in Advancing our Health for work to integrate biological and clinical information, paving the way for personalized medicine;
  • , of the College of Eduacation and Human Development, who won the Grand Challenger Award in Engineering our Future Economy for her commitment to workforce up/re-skilling in the field of technology, including via innovative badging programs; and
  • Joan Scott, of the School of Dentistry, who won Research Administrator of the Year for providing integral research support to her school and department for more than 20 years.��

In the past year, UofL researchers and scholars submitted 1,075 proposals and received nearly $176 million in external grant funding to support groundbreaking discovery and exploration.��

“I believe what we celebrate is what we value as an institution,”�� said Kevin Gardner, UofL’s executive vice president for research and innovation. “With awards like these, we show that we value research, scholarship and creative activity. And, that we value you. The work you do is the backbone of UofL’s knowledge enterprise.”

The new Ascending Star Fellowship provides mentorship, funding and other support to high-performing associate professors. The goal is to boost the national impact of the fellows’ scholarship, with a heavy focus on work in diversity, inclusion and community empowerment.

The UofL Office of Research and Innovation launched the program last year, selecting its inaugural class in partnership with the . This year’s class — representing four schools — includes:

• , an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy whose work focuses on feminist bioethics, specifically on clinical encounters��between�� health��professionals and��members��of��marginalized communities;��
• an associate professor��in the Department of Mathematics whose work focuses on developing analytic��and computational tools, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to study nonlinear fluid equations;
• , an associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, whose research focuses on electrochemistry, wastewater treatment, solar cells and more;��
• , an associate professor in the Department of History whose work lies at�� the intersection of human rights, religion and foreign relations history;
• , an associate professor in the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development, whose work focuses on health promotion, with a particular focus on underserved populations and rural communities;
• , an associate professor in the Kent School of Social Work, whose work focuses on utilizing trauma-informed organizational change interventions to disrupt systems of oppression and investigating the scope and complexity of child trafficking across the U.S.;
• , an associate professor in the Hite Institute of Art & Design and a nationally recognized glass artist;��
• , an associate professor in the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development whose work focuses on the intersection between Black education and sociopolitical factors and the role sociopolitical forces play in creating disparities in Black education;
• , an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, whose work focuses on microfluidics, electrokinetics and colloid science, including tracing the unique “DNA” of whiskey.��

“I’m extremely pleased with the quality and diversity of the work already being done by this new cohort,” said M. Cynthia Logsdon, the Office of Research and Innovation’s director of research academic programs, who leads the fellowship program. “They’re already stars, but with the Ascending Stars Fellows program, we hope to help them in advancing their scholarship, magnifying their national recognition and extending the impact of their work.”

In addition to other supports, the and UofL’s , aimed at improving equity for female STEM faculty, will provide educational and enrichment activities geared toward advancement of diverse communities and populations.

To be considered for the program, faculty must be associate professor rank, must be nominated by their unit and must show a “consistent record of scholarship with the passion and desire to achieve greater national recognition.”

The event, hosted by the , honored UofL faculty and staff nominated by their colleagues or self-nominated for outstanding research and scholarship accomplishments in fiscal year 2021.

“I often say that UofL is a true research engine, continuously blazing new trails and seeking answers to important questions,” said Interim President Lori Stewart Gonzalez, speaking at the event. “Our researchers, scholars and research administrators are the very backbone of that work and they deserve this celebration and recognition.”��

In addition to the roughly 90 recognized, six major awards were presented to:��

• • Kenneth Palmer, of the School of Medicine, who won Researcher of the Year, in part, for work to address the global COVID-19 pandemic, securing $8.5 million from the Department of Defense to adapt a novel broad-spectrum antiviral as a coronovirus-fighting nasal spray;
  • Hui Wang, of the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, who won Emerging Researcher of the Year for work to advance solid ion conductors and electrochemical energy storage;��
  • Becky Antle, of the Kent School of Social Work, who won Collaborator of the Year for serving as an evaluator on numerous groundbreaking projects with principal investigators across the university;
  • Monica Wendel, of the School of Public Health and Information Sciences, who won the Grand Challenger Award in Empowering our Communities in part for work to launch a new Health Equity Innovation Hub at UofL, backed by Humana Inc. and the Humana Foundation;
  • Shirish Barve, of the School of Medicine, who won the Grand Challenger Award in Advancing our Health for work to uncover the connections and impacts of alcohol on the body and organ injury and studying the gut/brain axis in HIV and aging; and
  • Joshua Spurgeon, of the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, who won the Grand Challenger Award in Engineering our Future Economy for work to create clean fuels using just water, carbon dioxide and sunlight, paving the way for more low-carbon power.

In addition to presenting awards, the event also highlighted the Office of Research and Innovation’s recently launched Ascending Star Fellowship program, which provides mentorship, funding and other support to high-performing associate professors. The inaugural class includes Cheri Levinson, Brandon McCormack and Kaila Story, all from the College of Arts and Sciences.��

Kevin Gardner, UofL’s Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation, said his office launched this inaugural awards event to recognize faculty and staff for their contributions to UofL’s research and scholarship.��

In the past fiscal year, their work helped bring in record $201.5 million to support groundbreaking work that saves and improves lives and shapes our society and culture.��And, UofL recently received another consecutive Research-1 designation from the , placing it among just 4% of schools considered.��

“What we celebrate and recognize reflects our values as an organization and as a community of scholars,” Gardner said. “Each researcher, scholar and administrator being celebrated is absolutely critical to our important work here at UofL, and we want you to know your efforts are appreciated.”

The Cardinal Commitment Grant is a last-dollar scholarship that pays for the remainder of a student’s UofL tuition after they have received and applied federal and state grant awards and additional institutional aid.

“Kentucky students deserve a high-quality and life-changing education, and the Cardinal Commitment Grant allows us to provide that while eliminating the stress of wondering where the money to pay the bill is coming from,” said interim President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “College affordability is a priority for our university and we are continuously looking at ways to increase access to education.”

To be eligible for the Cardinal Commitment Grant, students must be Kentucky residents with at least a 3.25 weighted GPA who are first-year students enrolled full time at UofL for the fall 2022 semester. Students must have filed the 2022-2023 (FAFSA) and be eligible for a Pell Grant.

“We are proud to serve many Pell-eligible and first-generation students,” said interim Provost Gerry Bradley. “The Cardinal Commitment is another chance for us to redefine our students’ success and do our part to improve social mobility.”

The Cardinal Commitment Grant is renewable until a student earns their first bachelor’s degree; however, the initial award amount is locked in for that time frame regardless of changes to state or federal aid.

Eligible students should by May 1 to be automatically considered for the Cardinal Commitment Grant. Additional details on the scholarship are available at .

Last-dollar scholarships are designed to award additional aid to cover the cost of tuition. The award amount is calculated by taking the cost of tuition minus all federal and state grant awards minus all university/institutional aid. The Cardinal Commitment Grant will cover tuition and bundled fees.

The journal, , is meant to highlight student research and scholarship across all disciplines. The inaugural issue includes pieces on isolated galaxies, legal history, medicine and more.

“The point of research is to communicate it,” said Jahnavi Sunkara, co-editor-in-chief of the journal, senior biology major and (GEMS) student. “We wanted to provide an avenue for undergraduate students to relay their research, as they’re the core of incredible research projects at UofL.”

The Cardinal Edge editorial team worked with UofL Libraries to develop an open-access portal where students can submit their work and read the journal. The goal is to help students share their work and prepare for future publishing by gaining experience as authors and editors.

The journal will publish once per year, and undergraduate students at UofL are full-length manuscripts, brief reports and literature reviews for the 2022 issue.

Currently, only UofL students can submit articles, but the journal may accept work from other universities in the future. Submitted papers will be evaluated by faculty and students through a double-blind peer review process, in which the identities of reviewers and authors are kept hidden, before the final issue is curated by the journal’s student editorial board.

Aside from faculty advisers Mark Running and Shira Rabin, of the Department of Biology, and their journal sponsor, Charlie Leonard, executive director of the UofL Grawemeyer Awards, every member of the editorial staff is an undergraduate student.

“We are grateful to the programs, organizations and individuals on campus who have promoted and continue to support our mission,” said Betty Ngo, a junior psychology and biology major, Grawemeyer Scholar and co-editor-in-chief of the journal. “We hope to increase our visibility in UofL’s community and strengthen our reputation as an academic journal in upcoming years”.

You can view and download published articles .