Undergraduate Studies Student Spotlight

Evan Wesley

As the Flagship Institution here in the Commonwealth, I was always set on the University of Kentucky. From an early age I cheered on the likes of Jeff Sheppard, Jamal Mashburn and Tony Delk, with my love of UK Basketball overflowing into a passion for the University of Kentucky. After my first campus tour I was drawn to the city of Lexington; with the scenery, green grass, beautiful buildings and friendly people. I applied as soon as possible and received a letter securing my spot as a freshman in the Fall of 2009 here at UK. Upon arrival I was unsure of what major I would pursue, still debating what career path I truly desired. With this doubt in mind, I began my journey in Undergraduate Studies. As a student in Undergraduate Studies, I was given an opportunity I am so thankful for, and that opportunity was exploration. Through meeting with my advisor and forming a personal relationship with him we composed a schedule that would allow me to take classes I had a specific interest in while completing general education requirements that were necessary to graduate. As a semester passed we discussed my interest in current courses, potential courses, and how successful the first few months of school had been. This exploration was key to the self-discovery of my career that I am actively pursuing today.

My advisor gave guidance I could find at no other college, carefully selecting courses he knew I had an interest in, that would at the same time complete graduation requirements, and serve as a course I would be successful in. Through the first two semesters of college I traveled from a point of confusion and uncertainty to a place of confidence and joy. I took my sophomore year of college to decide between three majors that had stuck out to me through my coursework and interests myself and my advisor had worked through. After the first semester of sophomore year, I was comfortable and successful in the classes I was taking, while on track with all of my graduation requirements. After two full years as a student in Undergraduate Studies, I have now chosen a major that is of extreme interest to me, in a field where success is unlimited. My advisor did so much more for me than schedule classes. Mr. Hayes worked to suggest a selection of classes I would enjoy and be able to discover if any majors I showed interest in were the right or wrong choice. Even on top of coursework, Mr. Hayes went beyond the walls of UK and sought a list of potential careers I could wind up in after graduation. Undergraduate studies freed me from the chains of doubt while assisting me with the most important decision of my life. I could not have done it alone, but thanks to the relentless support from Undergraduate Studies, I am now a Natural Resource and Environmental Science major, working in the field of my dreams with unlimited potential and thousands of opportunities.