Kentucky Graduate Profile Institute
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | Perkins Conference Center at Eastern Kentucky University
Kentucky’s students deserve an education that prepares them not only for careers, but for meaningful participation in their communities. Civic engagement - one of the 10 Essential Skills in the Kentucky Graduate Profile - sits at the heart of that goal.
This exclusive, one‑day institute brought together faculty from different academic programs across the state to explore how civic engagement can be intentionally embedded into curriculum, assessment, and student learning experiences. It provided a focused environment where faculty can collaborate, exchange ideas, and develop actionable strategies for strengthening civic engagement outcomes within their disciplines. Through interactive sessions, evidence‑based discussions, and hands‑on design work, participants examined how the Kentucky Graduate Profile can elevate academic quality while preparing students to contribute thoughtfully and responsibly to Kentucky’s civic life.
This event took place on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Please register for the Academic Excellence Newsletter to find out about future events like this one.
Recap of the Program
The final program can be viewed here.
| SESSION | SPEAKER | RESOURCES |
| Communicating the Graduate Profile | Dr. Melissa Bell, CPE | GP Playlist |
| State of Higher Education in America & Reflections | Whitney Godwin, GALLUP | |
| The Future of the Kentucky Graduate: Aligning Education, Career and Community | Moderator: Dr. Melissa Bell, CPE Panelists: Amanda Balser, EKU; Jacqueline Jackson, OCTC; Zach Morgan, KAM; Katie Raney, SHRM; and Michael Wheeler, UK |
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| Integrating Civic Engagement into Academic Programs | Lara Schwartz, American University |
Last Updated: 5/18/2026