UK EDC News | November 2025

Lockheed Martin, Turner Construction named OneUK partners

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Talent Update

UK launches campus-wide artificial intelligence initiative

UK President Eli Capilouto announced the launch of CATS AI, an initiative designed to coordinate and advance artificial intelligence efforts and expertise across the UK campus and throughout the Commonwealth.

CATS (Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy) AI will serve as a central hub to integrate AI activities across UK’s 17 colleges, libraries, research centers and institutes, as well as its academic and health care enterprises.

CATS AI will leverage AI to advance UK’s mission of improving health and well-being through the Advancing Kentucky Together (AKT) Network.

Innovation Update

Applications open for the Spring UAccel program

Applications are now open for the 10-week virtual spring program! The program offers professional development and a hands-on learning opportunity for researchers, innovators, and healthcare professionals who are interested in learning how to bring their ideas to life. This is an NSF Regional I-Corps program and helps prepare participants for commercialization planning, grant applications, startup formation, and more.

Spring program runs Jan. 16 through March 13.

Applications are open Nov. 17 through Dec. 19, rolling acceptances.

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Economic Engagement Update

‘Closing that loop with small businesses’: Growing Our Own workshops address vital knowledge gap in Kentucky

There are approximately 400,000 businesses in Kentucky according to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy—representing a vital sector to the Commonwealth’s economy. However, starting a business can be overwhelming with many lacking the guidance, support and knowledge—sometimes creating a knowledge gap in turning these ideas into a reality.

The Growing Our Own (GOO) initiative launched to address this gap by offering four workshops. These workshops included sharing how to do business and secure contracts with UK; building easy-to-use resources for current or aspiring small businesses and entrepreneurs; understanding bids, request for proposals (RFPs) and bonding requirements; and introducing business certifications.

“Growing Our Own is not only equipping small businesses with the tools to succeed—it is also fostering long-term economic resilience and growth across Kentucky,” said Marilyn Clark, EDC’s economic engagement manager and one of GOO project leads.

Place Update

Blueprint KY releases internship summaries

and impact

Blueprint Kentucky has released new summaries detailing the impact of its Summer Design Internship Program, co-led with UK's Landscape Architecture program. Since launching in 2018, the program has supported 38 paid student fellows and served 10 Kentucky communities through federal funding from ARC and USDA.

Each participating community hosted summer Community Design interns to re-envision the possibilities within its public spaces. The newly released summaries provide an overview of each completed internship.

With faculty oversight, fellows have produced seven comprehensive community design plans featuring recommendations for public space development, green spaces, walkability, public art, wayfinding and streetscape improvements.

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Partnership Update

UK HealthCare, Public Health partner to provide experiential learning, address patient needs

A partnership between the UK College of Public Healt h and UK HealthCare is giving public health students a front-row seat to the real-world challenges Kentuckians face outside of hospital walls. It’s also helping the health care system respond to new federal and state regulations requiring screening for social drivers of health.

The collaboration was sparked by a dual regulatory push: the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Kentucky Medicaid now require health care providers to screen patients for social needs, such as housing, transportation and food insecurity. The state-level mandate that went into effect in January 2024 applies not only to adult hospital patients but also to adults and children in primary care clinics across the state.

What We’re Reading, Watching & Listening To

A monthly peek into the media inspiring EDC members — and how it’s shaping their work.

Great British Bake Off- Collection 13

Type: TV Show (Netflix)

Shared by: Audrey Baricovich, Program Coordinator for ASTeCC and Business Engagement

Summary/How it has shaped Audrey's work:

If you haven’t watched GBBO, you’re missing out on some wholesome competitive fun. Each week, contestants tackle baking challenges--some they can plan for, and others they must adapt to on the fly. Bakers lean into their individual strengths and creativity, push themselves in unfamiliar directions, and take risks. But at the end of the day, they’re always celebrating each other’s wins and providing a helping hand.

Believe it or not, this reminds me of our EDC community and how pushing ourselves to approach our familiar work in new and innovative ways, facing new challenges head-on, and most importantly, celebrating and supporting one another’s efforts, is a recipe for success. (See what I did there?)

Final Takeaway:

Are we doing work that would warrant a Paul Hollywood handshake?

KY Job Club:

7 Steps to Age Proof Your Job Search

November 11, 2025 - 9:00 AM

Presented Caroline Francis, Director, UK Alumni Career Services

If it has been a while since you conducted a job search, things have changed. Although some post-50 job seekers have experienced age discrimination, there are things that you can do to reduce age discrimination and be more competitive. Join this webinar for timely strategies that will help bolster your job search or career transition efforts.

EDC Communication

The news featured here does not exclusively represent the work of the EDC, but rather highlights the contributions of various collaborators. We are honored to showcase the remarkable achievements taking place across the University of Kentucky.

The EDC Mission:

To proactively grow economic

prosperity in the Commonwealth by focusing on the areas of Talent, Innovation, Place, Partnership, and Economic Engagement.