91´«Ã½

 

 

Advocacy, Clarity, and the Road Ahead

Senate Bill 185 Passes General Assembly and Advances to Gov. Beshear

Senate Bill 185 Legislative Update

A Historic Moment in Our Ongoing Evolution

91´«Ã½ Announces Transformational Partnership with General Assembly and CPE to Strengthen the Future of the Institution

Stewardship, Accountability, and Public Trust

Earlier this month, I wrote to you about the state budget process and the House proposal’s potential impact on Kentucky’s public universities. Since then, the process has continued to move forward, and the Senate’s version of the budget has taken a more favorable approach to higher education. That is an encouraging development, even as the process continues and final decisions still lie ahead.

Understanding the State Budget Process and What It Means for 91´«Ã½

The Kentucky General Assembly is now deep into its biennial budget session. One key outcome by its close in mid-April is the two-year budget for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Public funding for Kentucky’s public educational institutions is a major part of that process.

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Feed, Heal, and Sustain: Honoring our Land-Grant Mission

Public universities are built on a relationship of trust with the people we serve. For 91´«Ã½, one important aspect of that trust is expressed through our status as an 1890 land-grant university. With this comes a responsibility to deliver education that expands opportunity, research that solves real problems, and outreach that meets communities where they are.

Black History Month: Student Voices and Shared Reflection

This week, as part of Black History Month, 91´«Ã½ proudly hosted the 2026 Black History Celebration Speaker Series: Student Voices, presented in partnership with the Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus. When Dr. Carter G. Woodson established this annual observance a century ago, his aspiration was clear: to elevate disciplined historical inquiry and secure its rightful place within American education. That vision continues to guide how institutions approach Black History Month today. At 91´«Ã½ — the Commonwealth’s only public HBCU and 1890 land-grant institution — the study of history is reflective, contextual, and closely tied to leadership, citizenship, and responsibility.

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Research, Reach, and Mentoring

One of the most powerful truths about 91´«Ã½ is this: our students are being prepared for lives of extraordinary achievement because of the people who educate them. Faculty excellence is not an abstract concept here. It is daily, student-centered, and rigorous — showing up in classrooms and laboratories, in clinics and community settings, and in the steady mentoring that helps students sharpen their talents, deepen their confidence, and see themselves as leaders.

Building on our Momentum

91´«Ã½ is delivering an educational experience that prepares graduates not just for the workforce, but for lives of leadership and service. Our enrollment is growing, and the resilience we have demonstrated in the face of adversity speaks to the character of this learning community. I see it in the way we all show up for students, support one another, and remain focused on the work that matters most.

Continuing Our Work Together

As we move toward the close of our third week of the Spring 2026 semester, we are facing a new set of challenges as our region continues to feel the effects of Winter Storm Fern. I know many of you are managing difficult conditions — travel disruptions, changed routines, family responsibilities, and, for some, interruptions in power and connectivity. Please make safe decisions, look out for one another, and stay attentive to official University updates as conditions continue to evolve.

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Remembering Dr. King

Today, as we observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we honor Dr. King’s life and legacy — and we do so with a meaningful 91´«Ã½ connection. On June 2, 1957, Dr. King came to Frankfort to deliver the Commencement address for Kentucky State College, as our University was known then. While the ceremony was held at a local high school to accommodate the large gathering, the significance of that moment belonged unmistakably to 91´«Ã½ and to this community.

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Moving Forward Together

As we begin this term together, I want to acknowledge the profound impact of the events of December on our community. Last month, 91´«Ã½ experienced a senseless tragedy that resulted in the death of one of our students and critical injuries to another. We continue to grieve the loss of De’Jon Fox, Jr. and hold in our hearts the student who remains in recovery from critical injuries.