In 2008-2009, the Office of Academic Programs continued to provide our students an education distinguished by both its quality and our supportive community of faculty and staff.
The Provost has made retention of freshmen a priority for UK. The College’s retention rate for freshmen this past year was 75 percent, among the best at UK and nearly a 10 percent increase over the previous year.
This improvement is largely due to the efforts of our expanded Advising Resources Center, which pays special attention to freshman—those most likely to leave school. Of course, we try to stay aware of the academic problems of all of our students and advise them through them. We also offer academic improvement workshops to help our students learn to study more effectively and better manage their time.
The College is now looking closely at our academic programs to make sure a well-rounded graduate of a particular program can do what he or she should be able to do, whether it’s think critically or know the technical aspects of managing a farm operation.
This attention to what we call “learning outcomes” is in preparation for a periodic accreditation review, but it also helps assure students, parents, donors, and other stakeholders that an education in the College of Agriculture provides value for their investment.
One of the hallmarks of an education in the College is our curriculum. It is designed to make students apply what they’re learning. This hands-on approach, coupled with internships in a number of our programs, yields graduates who are ready for the work world.
“Keep sending ’em,” says one employer who has hired a number of our graduates. That’s what we like to hear.
As always, we need your financial support, but we also need your creativity. Alumni and friends are encouraged to join us in finding new ways to broaden our students’ education. Please contact me with ideas at any time!
As we complete the 2008-2009 year, we are proud of the students who graduate from the College of Agriculture, and we look forward to educating those who follow.
Mike Mullen, Associate Dean
Office of Academic Programs
N-6, Agricultural Science Center
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0091
E-mail: mike.mullen@uky.edu
FAST FACTS
Undergraduate students—2,130
BS degrees awarded—547
Second-year students in
Equine Science and Management—125
Faculty recognized as “Great Teachers”
by the UK National Alumni Association—27
Female students—61%
Graduate students—385
International students—117
Graduating seniors who would
recommend their major to someone else—90%
Graduating seniors who say that the College
met their educational expectations—90%
Undergraduate students in
Human Environmental Sciences—846
Undergraduate enrollment in
Agricultural Biotechnology—174
Undergraduate enrollment in
Dietetics or Human Nutrition—312
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