A person speaks to a group at The Arboretum

Land-grant Engagement Bus Tour

The 2026 Land-grant Engagement Bus Tour will take place May 11-14, 2026.

The land-grant engagement bus tour will serve as a university-wide experiential learning platform, enabling leaders from across colleges to engage directly with communities and with one another. Participants will:

Experience shared learning with faculty and staff across colleges
Create/strengthen meaningful partnerships
Focus on healthcare access and innovation, workforce development and career pipelines, economic development and community leadership
Listen, learn, network and think broadly about co-created initiatives and solutions to support vibrant communities

The Office of Land-grant Engagement is sponsoring the tour, including bus travel, lodging and most meals.

If you are interested in joining the tour, please fill out our interest form by April 6th.

Questions? Contact Dr. Alison Davis.

Overview Agenda

Departure: 8:30 a.m. – UK Campus
Grayson County/Leitchfield: Through broad-based collaborations, local organizations are working to address community health in Leitchfield and Grayson County. This stop will highlight collaborative efforts, including Grayson County Extension, the Grayson County Health Department and Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center.
Princeton: Tracing its history back 100 years, the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center in Princeton originated from a community-engaged effort to address needs unique to west Kentucky farmers. Today, the facility is interwoven in the community, extending its impact beyond agriculture.

Pigman College of Engineering – Paducah Campus: For more than 25 years, the Paducah Campus has offered local pathways for students to earn an engineering degree in west Kentucky. In addition to education and research missions, the campus works closely with local communities and industries to support regional economic development and other initiatives. Participants will tour the campus, learn about the programs offered, and hear from industry representatives about the campus’ impact.
First Impressions – Paducah: Spend two hours in downtown Paducah completing an assessment based on the First Impressions (FI) Program and enjoying lunch on your own. The FI Program helps towns and cities evaluate their strengths and weaknesses through the eyes of a first-time visitor. Using anonymous, independent observers to assess appearance, services and infrastructure, the program provides constructive feedback to guide community development, tourism and economic revitalization.
Arts/Arts Preparedness/Arts in the Community: Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City, offers a strong example of how arts and culture shape community identity while contributing to Kentucky’s creative economy. Participants will learn how partnerships among higher education, Extension and local cultural organizations support creative careers, connect students to arts pathways, and strengthen community resilience through initiatives such as arts emergency preparedness and community-based creative programs.

Fulton: The stop in Fulton, Kentucky, will highlight how rural communities are advancing regional solutions by working across county and state lines to advocate for shared economic opportunities. Local leaders will showcase collaborative economic development strategies that build on regional assets while addressing persistent challenges such as workforce participation and housing availability. Participants will also learn about emerging housing efforts, including work with Community Ventures and a regional housing study designed to inform future investment and development. The visit will further spotlight innovative workforce initiatives that support individuals in recovery and those reentering the workforce after incarceration, as well as opportunities for University of Kentucky students to contribute design ideas that strengthen community revitalization efforts.
Fulton and Hickman Counties: The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, in partnership with local workgroup collaborators, presents the Pathway to Dentistry program — a pilot initiative serving Fulton and Hickman County school systems. The program addresses Kentucky's dental workforce shortage by introducing students to the dental professions and outlining the academic pathways required for degrees in dental assisting, dental hygiene and dentistry.
Portrait of Christian County: This stop offers a dynamic snapshot of Christian County through a series of lightning talks from community leaders and partners. Representatives from Fort Campbell, the West Kentucky Workforce Development Board and other organizations will share how they identify local needs and build strong cross-sector collaborations to meet them. The program will also include a moderated discussion focused on how additional partners can engage in meeting the evolving needs of a region shaped by its strong military presence and deep community connections. Together, these voices will paint a vivid picture of a county defined by service, partnership and a shared commitment to opportunity.

Muhlenberg County: Tour Felix E. Martin Jr. Hall and learn about the arts activities hosted there, including the student intern program. Participants will also learn about the Felix Martin Foundation’s early childhood program and post-secondary success program. The post-secondary program includes a robust cohort experience for under-resourced middle school students, with a focus on career exploration, workforce skills and envisioning future opportunities. If time allows, participants may also tour the Paxton-Patterson Career Labs at the middle school level.
Return to Campus: Estimated return to the UK Campus is 4:30 p.m. ET.

Land-grant Engagement Bus Tour

Overview Agenda

May 11, 2026

May 12, 2026

May 13, 2026

May 14, 2026