Kayleigh Thomas is a sophomore Agricultural Education and Advocacy major from Elizabethtown, KY
Have a question about something you read here?
Have you completed an internship, job, or been involved with a club that has been especially meaningful to you?
Easily the best decision I have made since coming to UK has been rushing Sigma Alpha Sorority. Sigma Alpha is a professional agriculture sorority that has given me an abundance of opportunities since joining just a few semesters ago. As a professional sorority, I have been able to grow as a leader and further my professional development in the agriculture industry with events like PD weekend. However, further than that I have found my best friends, roommates (& neighbors), and people I will have connections with beyond the four years of college. By fostering an environment of sisterhood, we're building relationships with women who share our passion for agriculture. Most recently, my journey within Sigma Alpha has come full circle. I've been elected to serve as our chapter's 2nd Vice President and Membership Candidate Educator‚—one of the first people new members build relationships with. I now have the privilege of forming these connections with our upcoming classes of women.
What's been your favorite course and why?
My favorite course so far has been AEN 252 - Fabrication and Construction for Technical Systems (Farm Shop). This is the 'welding class' that Ag Ed students take during their four years here at UK. I enjoyed this class so much because every day of class was a hands-on learning experience. Whether we were learning how to weld, how to wire electrical circuits, or how to change the oil in a car, everyone in the class was actively involved. While this may not seem like your typical college class, it is something that is not only required for our major but also provides us with applicable information and resources for our future endeavors.
What advice would you offer an incoming freshman in the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment?
Don't be afraid.
Don't be afraid to get involved. You don't have to do everything but it doesn't hurt to try everything at least once. College is all about new experiences, and in the college of ag here at UK we have an abundant source of opportunities for you to do so, regardless of your interests and major.
Don't be afraid to make friends. When coming to college, everyone starts fresh and with that also means new people. Everyone is looking to make friends, so don't feel awkward to talk to the people around you because you never know where you'll find your people. It could be your neighbors in the dorm or the person that sits next to you on the first day of class who becomes your best friend.
Kayleigh's Top 3 "Bucket List" Experiences at UK
- DanceBlue: DanceBlue is a student-run and campus-wide philanthropy that raises funds to fight childhood cancer and has a 24-hour dance marathon every spring!
- Midnight Hockey Games: Grab your friends and your blankets and head over to the Lexington Ice Center to watch the Cats play hockey, puck drops at midnight!
- Sledding in "The Bowl" at Willy T: On the first big snow of the school year, it is tradition to bundle up and head to the library to sled down the hills of "The Bowl."