Welcome to the 2025-2026 Academic Year

Dear Colleagues,

I want to extend a warm welcome and welcome back to each of you as we begin a new academic year. The energy as our campus begins to fill up is palpable — we recently welcomed 247 new faculty to UK at our New Faculty Orientation. 

In addition to the return of our students, a new academic year also brings a sense of renewed purpose around our shared mission — to advance Kentucky in all that we do. 

As faculty, you continue to power that mission by preparing and educating our students to become the future leaders, innovators and artists who will guide Kentucky into a brighter future.

You lead research and discovery teams to greater heights, finding creative solutions to issues our communities face through collaboration and partnership.

You bring world-class care closer to home for our patients so that they can receive the most effective and leading-edge treatments. 

Faculty are the heart of our mission to advance Kentucky — you are at the heart of everything we do. As we move into another academic year, I will continue my work to support each of you in your teaching, research, service and care to help improve the lives of all Kentuckians.

Thank you for believing in UK’s mission and helping further that mission every day.

Robert S. DiPaola 
Provost