Sarah Fitzgerald, Donor Relations and Stewardship Officer for the Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement | Photo by Carter Skaggs
You may know the University of Kentucky for its academic excellence + high-flying basketball team, but the growing community is also a pathway to a rewarding career for thousands of locals.
The institution consists of service workers, caregivers, landscapers, engineers, business professionals, and problem solvers. At UK, employees can discover opportunities for growth, a collaborative culture, meaningful work, work-life balance, and an inclusive environment.
We recently connected with three different UK employees to see how their careers have benefited at the university.
Keep Growing at UK
They say, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
For 2002 UK graduate Sarah Fitzgerald, that certainly rings true. A proud alum and the university’s current Donor Relations and Stewardship Officer, Sarah found a home at UK first as an undergraduate student and now as an employee for almost 13 years.
“You can come here, do your job, do it well, and go home,” Sarah said. “Or, you can come here and take that extra step.”
Her role overseeing the UK LEADS Scholarship Program and the UK Fellows Society is one of the many ways Sarah has been able to give back to students and people at UK — a major reason why she’s stayed as an employee for over a decade.
“Good people surround you, so mission-driven for the students, the state, health care, and research,” she said. “We don’t lose sight of it. That’s why I stay here.”
Tree Sandford, Associate Director of Facilities Management for Maintenance and Operations
Photo by Carter Skaggs
Be part of something bigger
Harold “Tree” Sandford has been part of UK’s Facilities Management team for more than 40 years.
As Associate Director of Maintenance and Operations, his role is as dynamic as it is essential. Whether he’s 20 stories high cleaning windows at Patterson Office Tower, replacing lights at Kroger Field, or scuba diving in the aquatic center’s pools to tighten bulkheads, Tree keeps the university running smoothly.
“Unfortunately, things break. If they didn’t, I wouldn’t have a job,” Tree jokes.
But for him, working at UK is about much more than repairs. “As a staff member, every time UK wins a national championship or wins a big football game or you see the amazing things that the folks at UK HealthCare are doing — helping people, taking care of children — it just makes you so proud that you’re part of that staff.”
Keep reading to explore job openings and hear how UK has shaped the career of another employee who went from undergrad to Ph.D. student.
What inspires you to join the University of Kentucky?
A. Career growth opportunities B. Being part of collaborative, mission-driven communities C. Making impacts throughout Kentucky, the nation, and the world D. Improving the lives of students
Shuffle and Repeat | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | What The Lou | $5 | It’s like the shuffle feature on Spotify, but in real life — hear local musicians from across multiple genres.
Saturday, Jan. 25
Pig and Swig | 2 p.m. | Fourth Street Live | $15 | Sip 100+ bourbons from distillers like Weller, Michter’s, and Bulleit, while you nibble on smoked meats and other bites.
Lunar New Year Celebration | 2-4 p.m. | Logan Street Market | Free | Celebrate the Year of the Snake during the fourth annual Lion Dance Ceremony at this Shelby Park public market.
Sunday, Jan. 26
Car Free Cherokee Park | 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | Cherokee Park | Free | Enjoy the famous Scenic Loop at the 409-acre, Olmsted-designed park without having to check for traffic.
The Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular | 7 p.m. | Kentucky Center for the Arts | $31+ | If you “Can’t Help Falling In Love” with the man in the “Blue Suede Shoes,” this show is for you.
All aboard — Louisville’s passenger rail service is one step closer to reality. Derby City was one of 37 locations identified for a potential Amtrak route in a newly released study. The route would run from Miami to Chicago, covering 1,500+ miles in ~36 hours. Read the full report.
Number
13. That’s the number of home games Racing Louisville will play at Lynn Family Stadium this season, as part of their 26-game NWSL regular season schedule. The slate includes the home opener on Saturday, March 15 + a Thunder Over Louisville game on Saturday, April 12. Tickets are on sale, starting at $12 per game.
Coming Soon
Progress is flying at Dirty Bird, the fried chicken restaurant replacing the Tim Tam Tavern. The spot has posted updates to Instagram, including a look at the fried chicken on the menu — yum. From the ownership behind Hauck’s Corner in Schnitzelburg, it’s set to open early next month.
Film
Lights, camera, Louisville — A new movie, “Queen of the Ring” starring Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas, and Walton Goggins, was shot in Derby City at the Conrad Caldwell House in Old Louisville. The movie chronicles the life of wrestler Mildred Burke and hits the mat theaters on Friday, March 7. Bonus: It’s not the only movie filming here.
Award
ICYMI: The United States Tennis Association recognized the West Louisville Tennis Club as its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion champion for 2024. The club was formed 102 years ago to serve Chickisaw Park, and now the Olmsted Parks Conservancy is working to restore the courts. You can help by donating.
Listen
On Tuesday night, No. 25 Louisville men’s basketball claimed a win over SMU — in record-setting fashion. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Louisville Cardinals with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Health
Weight Loss by Hers is a holistic program crafted by experts in weight loss, nutrition, and psychology. Receive personalized treatment plans tailored to your goals by a medical professional, along with access to GLP-1 medications starting at $165 per month with a 12-month plan.*
Eat
Yes, healthy grocery shopping can be easy and affordable. Meet Thrive Market, where healthy living is simple. Get groceries for the whole family delivered to your door, free from 1,000+ harmful ingredients. Join to save 30% on your first order and claim a free gift worth $60.*
Wellness
Discover unparalleled speech clarity with this advanced, state-of-the-art hearing aid. With crystal-clear sound and a sleek, discreet German design, those experiencing hearing impairment can enjoy clear speech with minimum background distractions, even in the noisiest environments. Try the 45-day, no-risk trial.*
Category
Eat
🍽️ Yes, Chef
Noam Bilitzer opened MeeshMeesh in September 2023. | Photo courtesy MeeshMeesh
Founded in 1990, the annual awards are among the most prestigious in the culinary industry, recognizing leadership and excellence in the field. Bilitzer was recognized in the Best Chef: Southeast category alongside 19 other chefs from Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
Bilitzer opened MeeshMeesh in NuLu in September 2023, and Yelp recognized the Levantine-style Mediterranean spot as the No. 3 Best New Restaurant in America last year.
Will the former “Chopped” winnermake the cut? Finalists will be announced on Wednesday, April 2 ahead of the ceremony on Monday, June 16 in Chicago.
Single use face towels. Real talk: those washcloths you’ve used for years are likely harboring bacteria and roughing up your delicate moisture barrier. Go for a hygienic, gentler alternative with Sky Organics hypoallergenic face towels, made from 100% renewable plant fiber.
Earlier this month we asked you about the future of Louisville, but now it’s time to think about the not so distant future of Derby City.
The Louisville Downtown Partnership will host the 2025 State of The Downtown event on Thursday, March 27. The event will have the theme, “Doubling Down on Downtown.” Tickets are on sale now.
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