Our Faculty and Our Mission
Campus Colleagues,
As we enter the new academic year, I hope the first week of classes has been invigorating. Seeing students on campus again — creating new connections and meeting one another — I am reminded of the power UK holds as an institution of learning, discovery and innovation. As faculty, the role you play in nurturing the natural inquisitiveness our students hold is what allows us to continue growing in those realms of learning, discovery and innovation.
Recently, I was honored to speak at our New Faculty Orientation and help them begin their journeys as members of UK’s esteemed faculty body working toward a shared mission. I spoke of our UK-PURPOSE and how it guides us in all we do. At the core of it all, we put students first — they are why we are here at UK, and your role in our students’ learning and development is a vital component of our mission.
Because of this fundamental role faculty play in our mission, UK takes care of our people — we invest in you because we care deeply about you. Your professional growth is bolstered by efforts from the Office for Faculty Advancement; your personal growth is supported by our UK Human Resources team.
By taking care of our people, we are able to inspire ingenuity throughout the state. Our capacity for research and creativity directly impacts Kentucky and the challenges our communities face.
As a university, we hold a leading role in advancing Kentucky, and to do so, we must continue ensuring greater trust, transparency and accountability in everything we do. Transparency in how our processes and university evolves instills greater trust in each other, uniting us in our mission of advancing Kentucky.
And as a university, we are bringing together many people into one community. You are part of a powerful community of faculty that is continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in your respective fields.
Each year, I am consistently grateful to work with faculty who are so dedicated to our university’s mission of advancing Kentucky through education, service and care. If you would like to hear more about the great work you do as our faculty body, you can listen to the “Behind the Blue” podcast where I was invited as a guest.
Your work and care for our students — for our entire community — is one of the greatest strengths of UK. I am eager to see how far we will advance our university and our Commonwealth this year.
Thank you for championing UK as an institution of learning, discovery and innovation.
Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.
Provost