LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 21, 2026) — As the University of Kentucky welcomes Wildcats to campus for K Week, the College of Social Work (CoSW) brought together incoming first-year and transfer students for a College-specific introduction to their new academic community.
Students pursuing social work and criminal justice gathered in the Jacobs Science Building for an orientation focused on building connections, navigating college life and introducing the people and resources available to support them throughout their time at UK.
Kayla Powell, Ph.D., director of student engagement and experience (SEE), led the event, which included remarks from College leadership, academic success guidance and conversations with current student ambassadors.
Dean Justin “Jay” Miller, Ph.D., encouraged students to remain connected to the purpose that brought them to UK.
“You are here for a reason. Everyone has a story for how they got here,” Miller said. “And those stories matter to us.”
Miller left students with three messages he encouraged them to remember throughout their College experience: “You are seen. You are supported. You are sustained.”
Powell built on that message by sharing strategies for beginning the semester successfully, including managing time, setting priorities, limiting distractions, using academic resources, and planning ahead.
For Powell, the central message extended beyond academic preparation.
“One of the main things I hope students took away was that they have a really unique amount of support,” Powell said. “These are very important and interesting disciplines, and they’ll learn great things in class. But above all else, they will experience the incredible support of our staff and faculty.”
Current CoSW student ambassadors then joined the conversation, offering students a peer perspective on making friends, getting involved, attending College events, developing study habits and adjusting to university life.
One ambassador reflected on the support she has received from college faculty and advisors, noting that their guidance has extended beyond academics.
“Even when I had non-school questions, they always helped me with great advice,” she said.
Other ambassadors echoed that experience, describing faculty members who remained sources of support even after a class ended.
“There is a stereotype at a big university that your faculty aren’t going to remember you,” one ambassador said. “That just isn’t true at CoSW. They’re so helpful and welcoming. Even after you take their classes, faculty are still there for you.”
Following the College-wide session, students continued the day in smaller ambassador groups and major-specific sessions, giving them additional opportunities to meet classmates, ask questions and begin building relationships within their academic programs.
For Powell and the College, those early connections are an important part of helping students begin to see the College of Social Work as more than the place where they attend class.
The goal is for new students to begin their first semester knowing they have a community invested in their success, and people ready to support them along the way.
For any students who were not able to attend and would like to connect with SEE, they can reach out to coswexperience@uky.edu.