Student Philanthropy Board
New in 2018, the University of Kentucky formed a Center for Student Philanthropy, the first center of its kind that serves as a resource for students who want to learn more about philanthropy. The center aims to spread the joy of philanthropy throughout UK's campus, and the Student Philanthropy Board are the center's messengers.
This diverse board comprises students from nearly every college, undergraduate and graduate students, focused on improving their campus and world through philanthropy. All active on campus, they lead student organizations, head their own nonprofits and all embrace charitable giving and volunteerism as a way of life. Learn more about the members below.
Habiba Ahmed
Junior
Neuroscience (pre-med track) with a minor in Psychology
Active in the Muslim Student Association, Phi Delta Epsilon, the Student Appeals Board and the Henna Club
Noland Aull
Senior
Political Science with a minor in History
Former student body president at Owensboro Community and Technical College, former Kentucky Community and Technical College representative, director of the Sixth District Young Democrats, Lexington-Fayette County Environmental Commissioner and former member of the Ronnie Bastin, Judge John Reynolds and Alison Lundergan Grimes campaigns
Adam Blevins
Junior
History and Secondary Education in Social Studies with minors in Economics and Political Science
Active in the UK Parent and Family Association as a lead parent ambassador, the Kentucky Center on Economic Policy and First Generation Programs and serves as a peer liaison for UK 101
Marie Blevins
Senior
Public Health
Former intern in the Office of Philanthropy, public relations chair for Kappa Kappa Gamma
Brennan Dodds
Sophomore
Accounting
Social Enterprise Scholar
Active in Christian Student Fellowship, serves as a Gatton College of Business and Economics ambassador, founded Cat Swap book exchange and is a site leader for the Service Corps.
Danielle Doering
Junior
Natural Resources and Environmental Science
Active in the Alpha Gamma Delta and the Center for Community Outreach, working for Wildcats for Homes, Big Blue Pantry and SSTOP Hunger
Brack Duncan
Senior
Social Studies in Secondary Education with a minor in Political Science
Active in Farmhouse Fraternity, College of Education Ambassador, founder of Buddies of the Bluegrass, mentor at STRIDE in Winchester, Kentucky
Jillian Gibney
Junior
International Studies with a minor in Spanish and Communications
Active in Alpha Phi Omega and the women's rugby team
Michael Graehler
Senior, December 2018 graduate
Civil Engineering
Active in Engineers without Borders, created a nonprofit that benefits Nepal, has led several mission trips abroad
Julia Harris
Sophomore
Economics and Digital Media
Social Enterprise Scholar
Active in Students Helping Honduras and Pi Beta Phi, works as a media assistant for the College of Arts and Sciences and volunteers at Camp Thunderbird
Kendall Hitch
Senior, December 2018 graduate
Political Science with minors in Latin American and International Studies
Founded UK's Amnesty International chapter and active in Junior Achievement and Girls on the Run. She also created Abroadband Connections, an education technology organization teaching Guatemalan children English
Hayley Leach
Junior
Political Science and Writing, Digital Studies (pre-law track)
Parker Scholar
Active in the University of Kentucky mock trial team, serves as a College of Arts and Sciences Ambassador, works as a Student Code of Conduct adviser for the judicial branch of Student Government Association, helped found the UK chapter of Leading Women of Tomorrow, holds the title of Miss University of Kentucky as well as Miss Danville 2019 and was a press intern for Sen. Mitch McConnell
Laura Nolan
Sophomore
Communications Sciences and Disorders
Active in the Newman Center
Destiny Oakley
Senior
Business Management, International Business
Global Scholar
Member of Alpha Xi Omega, intern for PresentationU and former intern for Girl Scouts
Haley Potter
Junior
Arts Administration
Active on campus as a programming manager for the Gatton Student Center and president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals
Kennedy Sabharwal
Sophomore
Biology and Journalism (pre-med track)
Active in Alpha Delta Pi and Christian Student Fellowship, writes for the Kentucky Kernel, interned for a dermatologist, preparing to intern for Sanjay Gupta and created Project Red Light, a nonprofit providing books and videos to children in area hospitals
Maria Shamai
Junior
Biology and Chemistry (pre-med track)
Active in Alpha Phi Omega, president of the Jewish Student Union, mentor for STEMCats Living Learning Program, student researcher and volunteer for Sweet Blessings
Matthew Westling
Third Year Pharmacy Student and earning Master's in Public Administration in policy and program development
Serves as president of the UK chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association and active in the Center for Community Outreach
Jacob Whitt
Sophomore
Arts Administration (pre-med track) with a minor in Musical Performance
Active in DanceBlue, serves as a Wildcat Ambassador and played in the marching band
Kai Zhang
Ph.D. Candidate in his fourth year
College of Medicine, studying Pharmacology
Created a nonprofit that finds international students housing in Lexington and throughout Kentucky
Jason Zheng
Junior
Biology and Neuroscience with a minor in Mathematics (pre-med track)
Active in Phi Delta Epsilon and Alpha Phi Omega, teaches UK 101 and tutors students in organic chemistry