In 2023, the Women and Philanthropy Network awarded $215,110 in grants to support six academic initiatives aimed at helping students and promoting research. The funds will have a significant impact across several colleges and programs.
The largest grant of $50,000 went to the College of Medicine's "Taking ACTION to Reduce Disparities in Eastern Kentucky" program. This scholarship program aims to increase the number of Appalachian Kentucky students pursuing oncology careers. With additional funding, the program will be able to provide full scholarships for six more students, helping address healthcare disparities in underserved Eastern Kentucky communities.
Another grant for student support went to the International Center's "Explore First" program, receiving $15,121 to provide study abroad opportunities for first-generation college students. Students will gain valuable intercultural connections and career insights through funded travel experiences they may not otherwise be able to access.
Several other funded initiatives focus on research and public engagement. The University Press of Kentucky received $39,600 to create student scholarships for women's history publications and outreach. The Gaines Center for the Humanities also received $12,000 to support a student-curated exhibit called "The Monsters and Myths of Addiction in Kentucky" to foster substance abuse education and reduce stigma.
The funds will also drive innovation. The Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering will use its $49,800 grant to upgrade lab equipment and provide more undergraduate research opportunities. And $48,589 went to the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment to expand grief counseling services to support students facing bereavement.
With financial backing from the Women and Philanthropy Network, the University of Kentucky can nurture student success, pioneer new research, and extend its impact across the state. The sponsored programs truly embrace the spirit of the academic initiatives the Network supports.