News & Updates

Eastern Kentucky University


A teacher and students in a classroom setting.

EKU Continues Addressing Teacher Shortage With Option 9 Competency-Based Education Courses for Elementary Education Certification

With the state’s on-going teacher shortage, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) offers innovative approaches to place educators in classrooms across the state. The Kentucky Department of Education’s School Report Card notes a nearly 25% teacher turnover rate for the 2022-23 school year. To help address the shortage, EKU became the first public university in the state to announce […]
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EKU Transfer student Alexander Zacarias flashes the Big E hand sign in front of the colorful mural at Powell Student Plaza.

Bridging the Gap: Celebrating Success and Community During National Transfer Student Week at EKU

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Adult and Transfer Center is celebrating National Transfer Student Week (NTSW) from Oct. 21-25, recognizing the unique experiences of adult and transfer students.  “At EKU, we understand the transformative power of education and the unique paths many of our students take to achieve their goals,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “Supporting […]
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A photo of a student demonstrating how to properly use a DNA collection tool during a lab on EKU's campus.

Development of a DNA Collection Tool

Dr. Jamie Fredericks (Chemistry) developed a novel DNA collection tool and received funding from the Kentucky Network for Innovation & Commercialization (KYNETIC) program to continue refining the tool with a goal of bringing it to market. Traditional DNA typing requires a multi-step process with testing completed over several hours. Using a direct DNA amplification approach […]
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Two EKU firefighter students wear protective gear and monitor a burn at EKU's fire investigation lab.

EKU Awarded Grant for Fire Investigation Research

Faculty in Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) College of Justice, Safety and Military Science, Dr. Shijin Kozhumal and Dr. Greg Gorbett, received a competitive research grant from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the U.S. Department of Justice’s research, development and evaluation agency, to research drywall and burn patterns. The NIJ forensic science research and development […]
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EKU president David McFaddin shakes hands with Allegiant Air's Tyler Hollingsworth, senior vice president of Flight Operations at a press conference in front of an EKU backdrop

Eastern Kentucky University and Allegiant Air Announce Accelerate Pilot Pathway Program Partnership

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has officially joined Allegiant Air’s Accelerate Pilot Pathway Program, offering EKU students an exclusive fast-track to the airline industry. EKU’s Aviation program, known for its impressive 100% job placement rate and innovative program, now stands alongside other prestigious institutions in the Accelerate Pilot Pathway program, including Purdue University, Kent State University […]
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EKU color guard team marches and performs with giant EKU flags at 2024's Big E Welcome walk.

EKU Earns Spot Among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges for Another Consecutive Year

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) was named in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges List for another consecutive year. EKU ranked in the following categories: National Universities, Top Public Schools, Top Performers in Social Mobility and Nursing.EKU moved up from last year’s ranking in the National Universities and Top Public Schools lists. For […]
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A group of EKU animal studies students hold a banner promoting EKU's program in the Homecoming parade.

EKU Animal Studies Offers Unique Perspective on Animal Relationships

For many people, watching a black bear take a nap is not part of everyday life, let alone part of their daily education. For students like Emily Howard, a senior in Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) animal studies program, it’s an educational opportunity. Howard, from Winchester, Kentucky, never doubted that EKU was the school for her, […]
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A close up of the red brick wall and corner of the roof of Model, with silver letters reading "Model Laboratory School" and five stars.

Eastern Kentucky University Announces Location for New Model Laboratory School

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) announced the location of the new Model Laboratory School (Model Lab) on Friday, September 27, 2024. Model Lab, named no. 3 among all Kentucky high schools in the Kentucky Board of Education’s annual report card for the 2022-23 academic school year, is currently located on 929 Lancaster Avenue in Richmond, Kentucky. […]
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Dr. Sally Chambers, in an EKU t-shirt, shows materials to a female and male student at a desk.

EKU Herbarium, Largest Collection in Kentucky, Highlights the Region’s Biodiversity

Fall Foliage Week begins at the end of September, kicking off the start of “leaf-peeping” season, meaning many people will be driving to see fall foliage. The show of fall colors highlights the beautiful landscape of Kentucky, while also bringing focus to the biodiversity of plant species in the region.  Nestled within Eastern Kentucky University’s […]
READ MORE EKU Herbarium, Largest Collection in Kentucky, Highlights the Region’s Biodiversity
EKU professor addresses EKU students in yellow safety vests and hard hats on a construction site.

EKU’s OSHA Training Institute Education Center Renewed by U.S. Department of Labor

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the renewal of Eastern Kentucky University’s OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTI Education Center). According to the Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development, in the past five years manufacturers announced over 1,100 facility locations or expansion projects with a reported capital investment of more than […]
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EKU president David McFaddin shakes hands with Allegiant Air's Tyler Hollingsworth, senior vice president of Flight Operations at a press conference in front of an EKU backdrop

Eastern Kentucky University and Allegiant Air Announce Accelerate Pilot Pathway Program Partnership

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has officially joined Allegiant Air’s Accelerate Pilot Pathway Program, offering EKU students an exclusive fast-track to the airline industry. EKU’s Aviation program, known for its impressive 100% job placement rate and innovative program, now stands alongside other prestigious institutions in the Accelerate Pilot Pathway program, including Purdue University, Kent State University […]
READ MORE Eastern Kentucky University and Allegiant Air Announce Accelerate Pilot Pathway Program Partnership
A team of fire students use a hose to extinguish a burning car at EKU's outside fire lab training center

EKU Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation Degree Sparks Game-Changing Career Readiness

A fire breaks out and the temperature rises on Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) campus; however, this fire does not present any danger to the campus. Simulated and controlled fire situations instead, help make campus and communities safer because they happen at EKU’s fire lab. As part of EKU’s Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation bachelor’s degree […]
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EKU President David McFaddin speaks from a podium in front of an EKU backdrop at the EKU Manchester Scholarship reception.

EKU Celebrates Scholarship for EKU Manchester Students

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) celebrated the progress of a $1.5 million fundraising initiative on Thursday evening at the EKU Manchester Regional Campus in Manchester, Kentucky. Since the initiative launched last fall, more than $1.2 million has been raised toward the $1.5 million goal. The Manchester Endowed Scholarship Fund provided nearly $70,000 in scholarship support to […]
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Individual photos of Hunter Rosenbaum and family and Faith Santini, on a maroon background.

Meet the Newest EKU Colonels

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) welcomed the class of 2028, which is projected to be the largest freshman class in EKU history at nearly 3,000 students. The freshmen come from 108 Kentucky counties, 34 states and nine countries. More than 50% of the incoming class are first-generation college students. Since 2020, during a time of national […]
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EKU students Taylor EKU graduates Taylor Davis and Marcus Mullins in blue suits and ties, smiling.

Alumni Set New Standards in Finance

Taylor Davis, ’16, excelled as a quarterback for the Colonels. Today, he is the founding president of DFG Advisory, a Northwestern Mutual (NM) subsidiary advisory firm based in Lexington. Under his leadership, DFG became a Northwestern Mutual Top 20 firm in 2021, the youngest to ever reach a top-20 ranking in the company’s 166-year history.  […]
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A female EKU student points out part of an auto engine to a male STEM faculty member and female Occupational Therapy faculty member in a auto shop setting.

EKU’s Occupational Therapy and Manufacturing Engineering Programs Announce Collaborative Partnership with Local Manufacturer

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) announced a collaborative workplace improvement project between its top-ranked Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program and new Manufacturing Engineering program alongside Toyota on Thursday. The collaboration creates opportunities for safer and more efficient workspaces by applying principles of ergonomics and universal design. “Innovation, one of our strategic priorities at EKU, is […]
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Smiling female Aviation student stands in front of a Cessna 172 single-engine airplane at EKU's aviation facility the Central Kentucky Regional Airport

Preparing for Takeoff: EKU’s Professional Flight Program

At Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), the professional flight program is training the next generation of pilots with a highly immersive approach to aviation education. The only program of its kind in Kentucky, EKU Aviation allows students to get hands-on experience in a real-world learning environment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median salary […]
READ MORE Preparing for Takeoff: EKU’s Professional Flight Program