University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information

Two University of Kentucky students, including recent CI alum Morgan David, and a faculty emeritus have received UK’s highest honor for humanitarian efforts — the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. 🏆

Established by the New York Southern Society in 1925 and named for its first president, Algernon Sydney Sullivan, the award recognizes those “who exhibit Sullivan’s ideals of heart, mind and conduct as evince a spirit of love for and helpfulness to other men and women.” After the society closed, the award has lived on through the Sullivan Foundation and is given at several universities in the South.

At UK, the Sullivan Award is bestowed each year on two graduating seniors and one citizen who has a connection to the university.

Read more about David, her service and her involvement as an integrated strategic communication student at https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/2026-sullivan-award-winners-exemplify-leadership-service-and-lasting-impact-0!

2026 Sullivan Award winners exemplify leadership, service and lasting impact The Sullivan Award is bestowed each year on two graduating seniors and one citizen who has a connection to the university.

Andrew Pilny, Ph.D., the Douglas A. and Carole A. Boyd Professor in the University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information, has been honored as a 2026-27 University Research Professor. 💡

Since joining UK in 2015, Pilny has built a research program focused on social network analysis, organizational communication and artificial intelligence. His latest project, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), examines how financial and ownership networks shape power and inequality across organizations.

Pilny also has a joint appointment in sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences and is a faculty affiliate in management in the Gatton College of Business and Economics.

Check out Pilny's Q&A with UKNow at https://uknow.uky.edu/research/andrew-pilny-2026-27-university-research-professor-qa!

Andrew Pilny: 2026-27 University Research Professor Q&A The UK College of Communication and Information researcher explores AI, social networks and the growing questions around connection and isolation.

Get a load of these academic weapons 🙂‍↔️ ☝️

Congratulations to our CI Wildcats who earned their spot on the Spring 2026 Dean's List! Keep up the outstanding work.

To learn more, and view the list online, head to ci.uky.edu/Spring2026DeansList.

Is the semester really over without one last check-in with CI PR intern (and now rising senior 🤘) Aimee Pierce?

Aimee has wrapped up her Semester at Sea voyage and joins us back in the bluegrass insanely well-traveled with lots of memories to share! In total, Aimee and her cohort learned across 11 countries and were even able to visit more places after disembarkation. Additionally, her coursework in global relations and advertising allowed Aimee to gain a deeper understanding of her field with exposure to international markets and initiatives.

We're so grateful that Aimee was able to showcase her incredible experience this semester for other students considering studying abroad opportunities! 🌎

You've earned a break, CI Wildcats! We'll see you in August. ✌️

Meet your 2026 UK Commencement speakers, including our own Carolina Burn, who will speak at CI's 2 p.m. ceremony today!

Meet the May 2026 UK Commencement student speakers The students are Mostafa Mubarak, Carolina Burn, Siena Pilati and Fatimah Alomar.

CI Grads, today's the day! 😼🎓 We're so proud of you, and we know your future couldn't be brighter. Congratulations!

"Where you start isn't where you have to stay."

Read more about CI grad Jinger Ballinger's story and how this mom of five turned her determination into a degree.

‘Never too late’: UK grad, mom of 5 turns determination into degree In this week’s “Behind the Blue,” learn why Jinger Ballinger returned to school to earn a degree — years after leaving high school.