The University of Kentucky is increasingly the first choice for students, faculty and staff to discover what’s possible as they pursue their passions and professional goals. In 2023, UK was included on Forbes’ America’s Best Large Employers list, ranking sixth out of 500 total companies, and second in the education category. For the sixth consecutive year, INSIGHT into Diversity recognized the university as a Diversity Champion. ModernThink consistently judges UK as a "Great College to Work for,” while the institution has ranked among the top 30 campuses in the nation for LGBTQ+ inclusion and safety. University of Kentucky Research Foundation (UKRF) awards (grants and contracts) received during fiscal year 2022-23 totaled $479.3 million. This is a tangible symbol of our breadth and depth as a university focused on discovery that changes lives and communities. And patients across the Commonwealth – and beyond – know and appreciate the fact that UK HealthCare has been named the state's top hospital for eight straight years. Accolades and honors are great. But they are more important for what they represent; the idea that creating a community of belonging and commitment to excellence is how we honor our mission to advance Kentucky.