Higher education news: Meet UK’s new vice provost, KCTCS and Midway agree on transfers
The University of Kentucky has filled a new leadership position in the Office of the Provost, the school announced last month.
Jana Jasinski will be the first vice provost of UK, beginning Aug. 15. Jasinski is currently vice provost for faculty excellence and a professor of sociology at the University of Central Florida. At UCF, she oversaw faculty professional development and promotion and tenure decisions. Jasinski has bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in sociology from the University of New Hampshire, according to UK.
At UK, the vice provost will partner with colleges and university leadership, “providing strategic leadership of resources, compliance and service excellence,” said Provost Robert DiPaola in the announcement of Jasinski’s hiring.
“The role of vice provost is a critical one to ensure a robust and collaborative connection between the Office of the Provost and UK’s colleges and programs,” DiPaola said. “And I am eager to see Dr. Jasinski bring her experience with faculty development and advancement to UK. I look forward to the connections she will make with our outstanding faculty to advance the excellent work they conduct every day.”
Jennifer Greer, the acting vice provost since September 2023, will return to her previous role as the dean of UK’s College of Communication and Information.
KCTCS, Midway University sign transfer agreement
Midway University and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System have signed a transfer agreement, allowing KCTCS students to continue their education at Midway.
Application fees for Midway will be waived for KCTCS students, and Midway will offer two scholarships to KCTCS students. One scholarship is a renewable $1,000 for students who have an associate’s degree and enroll in evening or online programs at Midway. The second scholarship is based on the student’s GPA and is available to students enrolling in an on-campus undergraduate program.
“By streamlining the application and maximizing acceptance of transfer credit, this agreement shows Midway and KCTCS as clear partners who offer paths for students to expand their skill sets and career opportunities through thoughtfully designed curriculum and instruction,” said Timothy Campbell, vice president of academic affairs at Midway University.
Last month, KCTCS also announced a transfer agreement with UK, allowing students from any of the 16 KCTCS schools to transfer to UK to complete a four-year degree.
UK receives grant to study climate impact of construction materials
The UK Research Foundation received more than $2 million from the Environmental Protection Agency to “report and reduce climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials,” the EPA said.
The grant was given from President Joseph Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which distributes grants focused on reducing climate pollution by helping businesses measure carbon emissions related to construction materials. The EPA estimates that construction materials account for more than 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.
The project at UK will develop a digital platform to collect data monitoring such emissions. Fifteen projects are being funded across the United States to use as a blueprint throughout the construction industry, focusing on how the transportation, construction and usage of materials can be made more environmentally friendly.
EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe said “cleaner construction materials like concrete and steel are increasingly essential for the nation’s prosperity.”
“These historic investments will expand market access for a new generation of more climate-friendly construction materials, and further grow American jobs that are paving the way to the clean energy economy,” McCabe said in the grant announcement.
This story was originally published August 1, 2024 at 10:32 AM.