LEXINGTON, Ky. — For Shawn Hunter, attending the University of Kentucky was more than just a personal goal – it was “always the dream”.
After earning his GED in 2022 and starting college the same year, Hunter will graduate on Friday, May 8, 2026 summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in social work and continue directly into the College of Social Works’ Accelerated Master of Social Work (MSW) program this fall.
The road to this milestone in Hunter’s life has been shaped by incredible resilience.
“I have faced many adversities in my life,” Hunter shared. “Since I was 14, I’ve been managing a chronic illness. Growing up, I was severely bullied for being sick and for my sexuality.”
Hunter learned early how quickly isolation can shape a person’s sense of self. He navigated the physical toll of chronic illness alongside emotional weight of bullying and feeling misunderstood. Later, the sudden deaths of both his brother and father altered the course of his life once again.
But those experiences sharpened his sense of empathy and his drive to help others.
“The trying times in my life helped me develop empathy toward others,” he said. “They instilled in me an unwavering passion for achieving success and helping others realize their full potential.”
As a nontraditional student, Hunter admits he initially felt intimidated entering higher education. But that uncertainty dissolved as he began to build relationships with students and faculty that strengthened his sense of self and purpose.
Hunter credits Dr. Shelita Jackson, director of the BASW program, as one of the most influential mentors in his journey.
“Her commitment to student learning and support helped me see my full potential and achieve things I didn’t think were possible,” he said.
Through the Accelerated Master’s Pathway, Hunter began taking graduate-level coursework while completing his undergraduate degree, building momentum toward a career rooted in service and advocacy.
“Social work feels like a path where I can turn what I’ve been through into something meaningful,” Hunter said.
Since arriving at UK, Hunter has earned a place on the dean’s list, maintained a 4.0 GPA and was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
In 2025, he was named the College of Social Work’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student — an honor he describes as deeply meaningful.
“To have my hard work recognized by a place I feel so passionate about meant everything,” he said.
Hunter is also a recipient of the Virginia Marsh Bell Scholarship, which he said affirmed both his dedication and his place within the College.
For Hunter, those moments of recognition and hard work have continued to reinforce his commitment to serving others.
That commitment took shape through his practicum work at Ashland Terrace, an independent living community for women. The experience not only strengthened his clinical skills but deepened his passion for working with aging populations and individuals navigating complex health challenges.
Hunter’s next practicum placement will be with the University of Kentucky HealthCare Psychiatry and Trauma Surgery Departments, where he will serve for two semesters as he completes his MSW along with a Clinical Social Work (CSW) certificate.
“I know what it’s like to face the challenges of a disease,” he said. “That perspective allows me to approach others with respect, compassion and a genuine desire to help.”
This fall, Hunter will continue his education in the University of Kentucky’s Master of Social Work program, building on the foundation he has already established through the Accelerated Master’s Pathway.
With a future centered on advocacy, service and supporting others through life’s difficult moments, he remains grounded in the experiences that brought him here.
“I want to help people find the support they need and promote their wellbeing,” he said.
