Dear Colleagues,

I want to extend my gratitude to those who have attended the College Town Halls we held in the fall semester — we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to interact and discuss your ideas, questions and concerns.

To enhance communications and hear the thoughts of faculty and staff within each college, we will continue to conduct College Town Halls throughout the spring with those colleges we have not yet had a chance to visit. These town halls are open to all faculty and staff and are designed to offer face-to-face interaction that is invaluable as we move forward to advance our mission — a mission made possible by you.

Our town halls are organized to facilitate connections between the Office of the Provost and colleges and programs. The sessions typically begin with brief updates, such as introducing members of the provost’s leadership team and providing updates on ongoing initiatives. But the most vital portion of each town hall is our conversations — the topics and questions that are most pressing to you, the members of our campus who help drive institutional progress. We want to hear and understand the challenges that our colleges face across campus; we want to hear from you.

In the fall 2023 semester, we spoke with the following colleges:

• Agriculture, Food and Environment
• Arts and Sciences
• Communication and Information
• Education
• Engineering
• Fine Arts
• Health Sciences
• Pharmacy
• Social Work

During this spring semester, we plan to hold town halls with the following colleges:

• Business and Economics
• Dentistry
• Design
• Honors
• The Graduate School
• Law
• Libraries
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Public Health

Additionally, we will cycle back with a schedule so that in subsequent town halls, we can report on progress related to your prior input. We will share more details as we finalize plans for each town hall. We appreciate the time, commitment and engagement of all, and we encourage you to reach out to the Office of the Provost with any questions, ideas or suggestions.

We welcome and value these conversations and look forward to seeing all of you.

Thank you for everything you do.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Office of the Provost, the Vice President for Research (VPR), UK HealthCare and the College of Medicine about an exciting initiative at our university designed to further accelerate our research efforts to advance our state.
 
This document outlines a new initiative we have dubbed the EXCEL (Executive Clinical Expert Leadership) Research Initiative. As the call for proposals outlines, our goal is to enhance the clinical and community impact of the incredible research underway at the University of Kentucky. These awards will support EXCEL research teams that develop research proposals that give our patients new opportunities. 
 
As one of only eight universities in the country with the full range of programs and disciplines on one contiguous campus with an academic medical system, we have a distinctive opportunity to engage in transformative transdisciplinary research — research that changes lives and improves communities.
 
That’s the idea behind the EXCEL Research Initiative. 
 
We are seeking proposals from faculty across every college on our campus. Our units will provide startup funding to teams with innovative proposals that demonstrate, for example, a transdisciplinary approach, focus on health disparities or that in some way further one of our existing Research Priority Areas (RPAs), to begin new clinical trials, among other factors.
 
We have utilized institutional incentives in other initiatives to help jumpstart important research efforts. Typically, that takes place within a college or an administrative area. What makes this program unique is the partnership among our units — the Office of the Provost, the Office of the VPR, the College of Medicine and UK HealthCare — and the call for a transdisciplinary approach with a focus across the institution. This approach can, and should, leverage our clear strengths — a land-grant mission embedded in an institution with clear depth and breadth across many disciplines.
 
Our mission as Kentucky’s university is to advance this state in everything that we do. 
 
Research that leads to discovery, solutions, healing and that addresses gaps in access to care is critical to who we are and what we do.
 
I hope you will consider this opportunity.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D. 
Provost

Dear Colleagues, 

Last semester, I announced a new leadership role being developed within the Office of the Provost and in alignment with our mission: vice provost. This position will partner with colleges, their leaders and other senior leadership on campus for decision-making purposes and special initiatives. The leadership of the International Center and the Provost Budget Office will report to the vice provost.

The position will provide strategic leadership of resources, compliance and service excellence, and demonstrate the ability and commitment to advance the university’s philosophy and practice relative to creating an inclusive environment.

I am pleased to announce that a national search process for a vice provost will begin in February. In accordance with Governing Regulation VIII, which states that I shall request a recommendation on matters of appointments from a committee, and as part of our efforts to enhance communication, transparency, inclusion and shared governance, we are seeking nominations for members of the search advisory committee, comprising of faculty, staff and learners. All recommendations and justifications are treated confidentially.

If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to serve on the search advisory committee, please click here. If you have any questions, please contact Shavonna Ross, director of operations (shav.ross@uky.edu). Please submit your nominations by Monday, February 5, at 5 p.m.

I look forward to working with you and listening to your input as we work through the search process.

Thank you for all you do as we work together to advance Kentucky.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D. 
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

Last week, I had the honor of meeting with the second cohort of participants in the Research Leadership Development Program within the Research Leadership Academy, supported by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR). Our discussion centered on building and cultivating a climate of trust, an essential element to continue our mission to serve our Commonwealth.

As we cultivate — and maintain — a climate of trust, it is vital that we continue collaborating on issues such as shared governance and our collective goals to instill in each other a greater sense of trust.

The UK-PURPOSE, the university’s strategic plan to advance Kentucky, calls upon all of us to ensure greater trust, transparency and accountability in everything that we do.

And to demonstrate the importance of this strategic plan principle, we have expanded our efforts to communicate more openly with you and the rest of the campus community. Through these weekly Faculty Focus newsletters, we improve and strengthen the channels of communication between your offices and ours. Further, by hold­­­ing our regular College and Chairs’ Town Halls, we strive to provide each faculty member the opportunity to discuss concerns and ask questions that inform the important work you perform every day.

It is through this demonstration of trust that true innovation springs — transdisciplinary collaboration allows us to focus on putting students first. Only by tapping into that well of innovation can we build upon our shared mission to be Kentucky’s university.

Thank you for all your efforts in advancing our Commonwealth.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.
Provost

Dear Colleagues, 

To prepare our students to be the future of the workforce — in Kentucky and beyond — we must also focus on supporting you, our esteemed faculty, as we accelerate that mission. The Office for Faculty Advancement provides that support by recognizing faculty accomplishments and building resources for development and promotion. 

Faculty — at all stages of their careers — can rely on support from the Office for Faculty Advancement.  

When faculty seek promotion and/or tenure, it may seem like a mystifying and complex process. As such, the Office for Faculty Advancement offers a series of workshops aimed at clarifying the details of this process, including sessions covering the preparation of a successful promotion dossier. The first session is Feb. 2, 9:30-10:30 a.m. You may register for these workshops at this link. 

Other sessions include helpful information for college and departmental leaders assisting faculty through the promotion/tenure process. The first of those sessions is on Feb. 6, 2-3 p.m. You may register for these workshops at this link. 

The office also has Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) leadership available to help with guidance and support for instruction. 

As we focus on moving our Commonwealth forward, we remain committed to ensuring the mutual advancement of our own campus community. We encourage you to utilize these resources to grow alongside your students.  

Thank you for all that you do. 

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.
Provost 

Dear Colleagues, 

As we enter the spring 2024 semester, I am once again reminded of our commitment to collaboration and teamwork. Together, we work to build a community that uplifts all its members, and I highly value the contributions that you bring to our campus.  

To that end, I am pleased to announce the first Chairs’ Town Hall of the spring 2024 semester to be held on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Gatton Student Center Harris Ballroom. 

In these town halls, we will continue to share important updates and information with you; we also invite feedback and input. You will have the opportunity to interact with and ask questions of me, the acting vice provost, the associate provost for faculty advancement and other leaders. For chairs, I look forward to the discussion. For all faculty, please take the opportunity to share ideas or concerns with your chairs so they can take the opportunity to discuss at the meeting.  

For all faculty and staff, this academic year, we have also been holding College Town Halls to ensure regular face-to-face communication with all our colleges and academic programs. This will be another opportunity for transparent discussion.  

These Chairs’ Town Halls and College Town Halls provide the opportunity to share ideas, questions and concerns, and to collaborate in the spirit of uniting in our calling to do more and be more at the University of Kentucky. We recognize the importance of each member of our colleges and schools throughout our campus, and the Office of the Provost seeks to add to the support already being provided by our outstanding deans.  

Thank you for all you do to advance Kentucky. 

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D. 
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

On Jan. 9, a call for nominations for the search advisory committee for the associate provost for academic affairs was communicated to the campus. To learn more about the associate provost role, please visit the UK Jobs posting. Once the search advisory committee is finalized, members can be found on the Office of the Provost website.

We are now ready to begin accepting nominations and applications for the role.

You may nominate candidates by sending an email to shav.ross@uky.edu until 5 p.m. on Jan. 22. All nominations will be confidential. All nominated individuals will be contacted with instructions regarding the application process.

Interested candidates, regardless of whether they receive a nomination as described above, may submit applications via the UK Jobs posting until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 28. All applications submitted will receive full consideration by the search advisory committee.

If you have any questions, please contact Shavonna Ross, director of operations (shav.ross@uky.edu).

Thank you very much for your assistance in this important matter.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D. 
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

As you may be aware, Katie Cardarelli has been named the new dean of the University of Louisville’s School of Public Health and Information Sciences, effective April 8, 2024. During her 10 years at UK, she served in multiple leadership roles in the College of Public Health, and most recently as the senior associate provost for academic affairs within the Office of the Provost. We are grateful for Dr. Cardarelli’s leadership, and I hope you will join me in thanking her for her exemplary service.

We will commence a search process for the associate provost for academic affairs. In accordance with Governing Regulation VIII, which states that I shall request a recommendation on matters of appointments from a committee, and as part of our efforts to enhance communication, transparency and inclusion, we are seeking nominations of faculty, staff and learners to serve on the search advisory committee. All recommendations and justifications are confidential.

If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to serve on the search advisory committee, please click here. Nominations are due Friday, Jan. 19, by 5 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Shavonna Ross, director of operations (shav.ross@uky.edu).   

I look forward to your input as we work through the search process. Thank you for all that you do.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D. 
Provost

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to wish you a happy new year.

As we prepare for the spring 2024 semester, I hope that you, too, are feeling a sense of excitement and fulfillment. Together, we are poised to continue advancing Kentucky. 

We will continue to share important updates with you in the Faculty Focus newsletters. This week, we want to highlight what we have available related to artificial intelligence (AI). As communicated last fall, President Capilouto charged the Office of the Provost with establishing a committee to define and develop recommendations for responsible use of generative AI at UK. This led to the creation of UK ADVANCE (Advancing Data utilization for Value in Academics for National and Campus-wide Excellence). 

Nearly 30 faculty, staff and students from across our campus contributed to the transdisciplinary ADVANCE Team, meeting throughout the fall semester to provide ongoing guidance to our community. 

This team recommended four core principles to frame the guidance for course policies:

• People-centered: Policies are student- and instructor-centered.
• Adaptability: Policies adapt to the needs and circumstances of the course.
• Effectiveness: Policies demonstrate characteristics of effective course policy.
• Awareness: Policies promote awareness and understanding of generative AI.

The team created, with input, guidelines for instructors and researchers, and they are working to create guidelines for healthcare as well. A two-day national symposium was also held on campus last year, with presentations by many of our leaders. In addition, guest speakers with expertise provided a national perspective on AI. As the field continues to grow, the team will continue to meet so we can optimize the beneficial uses of AI while understanding important cautions.

You can submit questions for the team to consider via email.

Of course, we will continue to communicate with you regarding AI-policies and guidance. We will also continue to highlight the various resources and services available in future Faculty Focus weekly newsletters.

Thank you, as always, for everything you do to advance our mission. Welcome back. 

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D. 
Provost

Dear Colleagues,    

During this special time of the year, I am honored to thank you for your diligent and meaningful work. Together, we are united in an important calling: to do more and be more, than ever before, at the University of Kentucky. 

I encourage you to take a moment and consider what we have accomplished together this year.

We are serving more students than at any other time in our institution’s history.

We are providing healing and hope to more patients across our Commonwealth; more people than ever before can feel a sense of peace, knowing that they need not leave Kentucky for the highest quality care.

We continue to make important progress in being a community in which everyone feels a sense of belonging, acceptance and purpose.

We are steadfastly focused on discovery to find answers to the most stubborn and vexing questions.

We remain committed to improving the well-being of our people and those communities we serve.

Because of you, we are doing more. We are being more. Each day, your work moves forward our sacred promise. Because of you, we are advancing Kentucky.

In that spirit, I hope you find time for rest and rejuvenation during this holiday season.

Thank you for the role you play in doing and being more for the state we serve.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D.
Provost