Vodden joins UofL from East Tennessee State University, where she served as the inaugural vice president for marketing and communications. In her role at ETSU, Vodden led an integrated team of more than 30 marketing and communications professionals and guided the department through a comprehensive brand modernization, digital ecosystem overhaul, renewed focus on internal communications and integrated marketing strategy that contributed to record new student enrollment and recognition as a Great College to Work For®.����

“We are thrilled to welcome Jess as a Cardinal and look forward to her leadership as she guides a talented team of professionals who work tirelessly to tell UofL’s story and shape and elevate the university’s brand,” Bradley said. “Jess brings with her an established track record in helping universities with integrated marketing and narrative strategy, digital transformation and crisis communications. Her experience with higher education policy groups and mission-driven organizations also proves invaluable.”��

An enterprise marketing and communications executive for more than 20 years, Vodden previously served as the chief marketing officer at Savage Grant, a social impact investment firm focused on economic and workforce development, as well as in a senior role with the West Virginia Higher ������Ƶ Policy Commission. She also founded VLS, a behavioral design and communications advisory practice that worked with universities, government agencies and nonprofits.����

Vodden holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations, with minors in Spanish and graphic design from Marshall University and a Master of Public Administration in nonprofit management from the University of Colorado Denver.����

At UofL, Vodden will serve as a member of the president’s leadership team and work with campus leaders to shape the narrative of UofL’s next chapter, focusing on strategic priorities including academic success, enrollment growth, innovation, connecting with community partners and growing the university’s national reputation.����

“As one of only 13 universities in the nation recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a top-tier institution for research, community engagement and student success, the University of Louisville exemplifies everything a public university should be,” Vodden said. “I am honored and humbled to join President Bradley and the university community as they build on recent historic achievements, including record enrollment, major gains in student retention and groundbreaking investments in research and innovation that will help build a brighter future in Kentucky and across the world. ��

Vodden replaces John Karman, who has served in the interim vice president role since late 2024. Karman, who guided the Office of Communications and Marketing through several major initiatives during his tenure, will return to his role as university spokesperson and executive director of communications.����

Vodden will begin at UofL on Aug. 17.��

“Social work really aligned with my desire to help people like those I grew up with find resources for mental health, financial assistance, food assistance, even scholarships for college like I found for myself,” she said.

Johnson, who earned a bachelor’s in social work degree from the UofL Kent School of Social Work and Family Science in May, said she faced financial and family hardships growing up in the Portland neighborhood and debated whether to go to college. Fortunately, Johnson ultimately found her ideal path as a first-generation student at Kent School. She interned at the Department of Child-Based Services through Kentucky’s Child Welfare CW-PREP, an innovative career preparation program that provides scholarship funds and a path to employment for students interested in making a positive impact serving the children and families of Kentucky.

“I grew up around individuals impacted by the child welfare system, and it shaped my desire to be a social worker who leads with understanding rather than judgment,” Johnson said.

As a Kroger Scholar, Johnson has been a coordinator for Nourish the Ville, a food drive targeting the West Louisville “food deserts” and partnering with the local non-profit Cabbage Patch. She also founded the Black Business Society, a club which connects UofL students with networking, career assistance, financial literacy, mental health and other resources. Johnson hopes to continue both these community service activities beyond graduation.

UofL News talked to Ka’Lynn about how University of Louisville and Kent School have influenced her life path and what’s next for her.

UofL News: As a recent Kent School graduate, what have you learned about the impact social workers can make?

Johnson: Social workers create impact at every level for individual, family, and community by being both advocates and support systems. For individuals, social workers provide guidance, mental health support and resources during vulnerable moments. For families, they help strengthen communication, promote reunification when safe and connect them to tools that build stability. On a community level, social workers address systemic issues such as poverty, food insecurity and access to health care.

UofL News: How has your social work education and training in CW Prep enhanced your understanding of the clients you hope to serve?

Johnson: The training has given me a greater understanding of trauma, resilience and systemic barriers. From coursework and hands on experience in child welfare, I have learned that families are often navigating generational challenges, not just isolated problems. It also helped me understand the importance of trauma-informed practice, ethical decision-making, clear communication and empathy while maintaining professional boundaries.

UofL News: How does social work embody your passion and purpose?

Johnson: Social work reflects my personal mission to create stability and opportunity for families who may feel unheard or unsupported. My passion is in helping families break cycles of instability and access the resources they deserve. Social work allows me to turn my experiences, education, and leadership into meaningful action.

UofL News: How do you hope to help your clients in the field?

Johnson: I want to provide trauma-informed mental health support and empower them to see their own strengths. I want families to leave services feeling more stable, confident and hopeful about their future. I also hope to mentor other students entering social work, especially those facing personal hardship, to show them that resilience and purpose can coexist. I want to model leadership that is grounded in service and integrity.

UofL News: What are your post-graduation plans?

Johnson: I currently work as a pharmacy technician at Kroger but hope to transition soon to work at DCBS and gain a few years of experience there before considering other options like perhaps starting my own non-profit. I want to become a licensed social worker and plan to begin my MSSW (master of science in social work) program at UofL in spring 2027.

UofL News: What has been the best part of your UofL Kent School experience?

Johnson: As a Kent School graduate, I am proud to be part of a 90-year legacy that values service, advocacy and community transformation. My journey has not been easy, but it has strengthened my commitment to becoming a future licensed clinical social worker who leads with empathy and courage. I am grateful for the education and mentorship that have prepared me to carry this mission forward.

��Houts and Richards shared their experiences with UofL News.

UofL News: You are both non-traditional medical students. How has your journey into medicine been different from the “typical” path? How has UofL shaped this path?

Houts: When I finished high school, I accepted an ROTC scholarship to attend Fresno State, where I studied biochemistry and found a passion for science. Several years into active duty, I realized that wasn’t where I saw myself in 20 years, so I started looking around at other opportunities. A friend made a connection with a surgeon on base, and she let me shadow her in the OR. I was enamored with the idea that someone could go under anesthesia with a terminal disease and wake up healthy and cured. The University of Louisville has provided a place for me to grow and pursue my passions freely while earning my medical degree. I’m especially grateful to all the great mentors I’ve had and connections I’ve made here who have supported my ideas.

Richards: I knew early on that I wanted to work in medicine. After high school, I chose to take a break before beginning college and serve an ecclesiastical mission in Argentina. I spent two years there, away from family, friends and academics, and focused on the importance of serving other people. This time provided me with the opportunity to see others as they are and to truly understand their genuine needs. I quickly realized the importance of human connection and the selflessness that is needed to care for others compassionately. Upon my return from Argentina, I refocused my attention on becoming a physician and applying those deep-rooted lessons to that goal. ��While here at ULSOM, I have had the privilege to work alongside amazing people and bright minds who have supported my goals and aspirations to not only become a doctor, but an entrepreneur and innovator in the field of medicine. This trailblazing school offers countless opportunities to network with renowned physicians and inventors, all of whom are so willing to provide meaningful advice and assistance in my work.

UofL News: At what point did each of you realize you wanted to go beyond practicing medicine and actually innovate within it?

Houts: A majority of medical school is a game of mass memorization. This makes sense, given the vast advances that have taken place over the last 100 years. But spending a day memorizing facts doesn’t fuel my drive. I love to create. When I first met my now wife, I told her it was my goal in life to play and write rock music. I got my MBA from Berklee College of Music because I wanted to be able to market myself as a songwriter and artist. Eventually, I realized I preferred music as a passion instead of a job, but that same desire to create and build something from scratch never went away. I love looking at a problem and trying to discover a new solution. There have been so many evenings I’ve started working on a project or idea, and before I know it, I look at the clock and it’s 11 pm, and I haven’t had dinner. Nothing I’ve built has been a sacrifice; it’s all been a labor of love.

Richards: With my beginnings in rural medicine, I had many opportunities to create, reexamine and iterate new policies and workflows for the small medical staff to improve the care we offered to our underserved patients. The changes I implemented started with simple modifications, such as how we organized our office and how we performed basic patient intake skills, and eventually they led to how we improved our in-office procedures and patient care outcomes. These everyday changes helped me see the impact of innovation on a small rural healthcare ecosystem, and it evolved as I started my education at the School of Medicine. Here, I have been able to see the broader impact of medicine and the everyday processes and tools that we utilize to impact patients. As seen by Dave Brailsford’s British cycling team, making improvements in minor ways can create a revolutionary outcome, and I believe that applying that process to medicine will dramatically improve our healthcare system to what patients deserve.

UofL News: Can you walk me through one of the devices you’ve developed and the impact it could have on patient care?

Both: Our most developed product is called Precisionject… a novel device that attaches to an existing syringe to modify the user’s grip so that they can hold a syringe like a pencil for improved placement accuracy, stability and control. Precisionject attaches to the syringe plunger and controls it with a modulator near the needle-end of the syringe so that the user does not need to move their hand to inject or pull out fluids while performing procedures under ultrasound guidance. The current approach to highly precise injection procedures requires one hand to hold the syringe and push down on the syringe’s plunger to eject the solution. This leads to inaccurate placement, injured tissues, failed procedures, and poor patient satisfaction. By utilizing Precisionject to hold the syringe like a pencil, it allows the user to take advantage of a familiar grip to improve needle placement and decrease tissue damage. Our goal is to empower physicians and elevate the standard of patient care.

UofL News: For someone outside the medical field, how would you describe Claustrum Design in simple terms?

Both: We create new medical and surgical devices to improve patient outcomes and help physicians perform at their highest level. For some of our devices, this may look like lowering a post-operative complication rate; for other projects, it might be improving a logistical process that happens in the hospital basement that no patient will directly encounter. At the heart of everything we do, you will find the patient. Every product we make is aimed towards improving their health and hospital experience from the moment they walk in the door until they return home to their family.

UofL News: How has your experience at the University of Louisville contributed to the way you pursue something like this?

��Richards: The University of Louisville has one of the most community-minded and supportive environments for students to thrive and grow. As we have begun this journey, we have encountered countless people who believe in us and want us to succeed. From our phenomenal team at Tech Transfer to the physicians at UofL Health who have provided meaningful feedback, to our fellow students who inspire us, I don’t think it’s possible to find a more supportive atmosphere for students to grow.

UofL News: What would you advise a prospective medical student who wants to follow your steps?

Houts: I’ve always lived by the motto that I’d rather live with failure than regret. I’ve probably had 100 ideas for medical devices since starting school, and 96 of them didn’t turn out well. I used to shy away from this reality because I thought it meant I was a failure if my idea didn’t succeed. I’ve since come to realize that none of that really matters, and the worst thing I can do is not try or give up on my ideas for fear of failure. I would tell anyone else who has an idea in their field to go for it. The failure isn’t as embarrassing as you think it’ll be, and the prospective rewards that await are priceless. Chase your ideas- the journey they’ll take you on is the adventure of a lifetime.

Richards: First, I can’t stress the importance enough of surrounding yourself with great people. I am fortunate enough to have amazing mentors, friends and family, and Justin is no exception. Justin has been a great partner to work with, and we have created a deep friendship throughout this work. Seek out the people who believe in you and always find ways to support others. Second, great innovators are always looking to improve the world around them. Take the time to identify the problems around you and be patient with yourself as you imagine what could fix that problem. Finally, stick with it and be relentlessly engaged in your goals.

UofL News: What’s the next step for your invention?

Houts: We are going to keep pursuing these projects we have started and see where they take us. We will have the first working prototype of Precisionject built soon and will start in vitro trials to get as much quantitative data as possible to support our continued grant applications and funding opportunities. Maybe if we’re lucky, we’ll even be able to drum up some interest from investors soon. We’ve been accepted to attend a business conference in Salt Lake City in June, so we will present our company there and see what connections we can make. We’ve recently partnered with Dr. Redi Rahmani, the director of cerebrovascular neurosurgery at Jewish Hospital, on a project that looks to improve the logistical operations behind OR turnover. Safe to say, you can probably find us in the library studying, in my garage 3D printing and sketching, or at our laptops at 10 p.m. on a Friday writing grant applications. And on the rare occasion, we get the privilege of talking with other people to share our vision and goals for the future.

The endowed Heidi S. Margulis Scholarship was announced as a surprise on May 21 at the University Club on Belknap Campus. The Humana Foundation is honoring their board member Margulis with a starting gift of $300,000 to establish the new scholarship.

Margulis’ early years in a family with the fraught history of a mother’s and grandmother’s escape from the Holocaust fueled her passion for change and a desire to give back to the community that nurtured and sustained her. Margulis’ journey of positive community transformation in Louisville originated at UofL with her own scholarship and overseas work-study immersion program that culminated in a degree in International Studies with honors in December 1974.

Following in the footsteps of her UofL political science professor and mentor Landis Jones, Margulis became a Capitol Hill intern, working with U.S. Senators Wendall Ford and Dee Huddleston. She served during the tumultuous era of the Watergate Scandal.

Margulis began her career with Humana in 1985, and in her 34-year tenure, she led Humana’s government affairs strategy while also managing the company’s charitable foundation, community engagement and corporate social responsibility initiatives. She retired as chief corporate affairs officer in 2019.

Following her retirement, she has served on The Humana Foundation board and the operating board of UofL Health, among other community and government boards.

Margulis said, “One of my core beliefs and values is that everyone deserves a fair shake in the system.”

The first Heidi S. Margulis Scholarship will be awarded to a SPHIS student in fall 2026.

See the .��

Narayanan’s research to decode how atoms move and interact within these materials requires hundreds of computer simulations, but the work can now progress much faster thanks to a new high-performance computing (HPC) system at UofL. The system allows Narayanan’s team to develop machine learning tools that will perform these simulations much more rapidly.

The “Zurada” HPC system, launched in late 2025, enables Narayanan and researchers across the university to conduct more advanced research in materials development, personalized medicine, AI and many other fields. The blazing fast and versatile system yields rapid solutions to a wide variety of complex computational problems and once programmed, can even perform and analyze a sequence of computer models autonomously. The researchers then assess the final results to move forward with physical experiments.

The system represents a $3.7-million computing investment that significantly enhances the university’s capabilities and will help UofL achieve its strategic research goals.

“This new HPC system represents a monumental leap forward for UofL’s research and development initiatives,” said Jon Klein, executive vice president for research and innovation. “Its processing power, combined with dedicated AI acceleration and ultra-fast networking, will empower our students, faculty and researchers to achieve breakthroughs faster and explore new frontiers previously beyond our reach.”

The materials Narayanan is testing have the potential to significantly improve the next generation of storage batteries over current lithium-ion technology. Narayanan,��associate professor of mechanical engineering in the , is modeling batteries that use iron and aluminum – inexpensive and abundant elements – and sustainable electrolytes, containing simple salts and water.

With Zurada HPC, Narayanan can run the models much more rapidly than with previous systems. He also believes the system has excellent potential to accelerate research in autonomous experimentation.

“We can develop AI models that decide what experiments to run, how to run them and how to analyze the results of those experiments,” Narayanan said. “Most of the heavy lifting is done by AI, and human scientists can come in once every so often to supervise. This platform can get results much faster.”

Using existing approaches, Narayanan said it would take 10 to 15 years to bring a commercial battery product such as the ones he is working on to market. He estimated that autonomous experiments and testing capability with Zurada HPC could shorten that time to 3 to 4 years.

Narayanan also uses the HPC system in his research on metal-insulator transitions in complex oxides, which can be used for preparing the building blocks – called memristors – for brain-like computing platforms.

“We are trying to understand the atomic processes that dictate how the same material can switch from being an insulator to a metal when a voltage is applied.” Narayanan said. “Interestingly, when the direction of voltage is flipped, they turn back to insulators again. These materials hold a lot of potential in mimicking the neurons of the human brain.”

The Zurada HPC system also empowers UofL researchers to advance cutting-edge artificial intelligence research inspired by its namesake, . A professor of electrical and computer engineering at UofL, Zurada is known for his pioneering research in neural networks – a core technology of today’s AI – since the 1990s and has since become one of the world’s in computer engineering, according to data compiled by the global academic publishing and information analytics company Elsevier.

, associate professor in the and a former PhD student of Professor Zurada, is using Zurada HPC for AI research in personalized medicine.

“A lot of my work involves time consuming and computationally heavy AI model training, fine-tuning and simulation,” Gaweda said. “With the Zurada HPC, I will be able to run multiple such jobs in parallel, thereby accelerating the generation of new results.”

For one project, Gaweda is collaborating with in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences to develop tools for individualized treatment of eating disorders. He also relies on Zurada HPC in his project on AI-powered discovery of treatments and interventions to slow progression of chronic kidney disease.

Technical specifications

The various servers that comprise the Zurada HPC system have different “personalities,” each suited for specific kinds of computation and projects, according to Ritu Arora, associate vice provost of . The system consists of 119 servers and features a powerful blend of blazing fast CPUs, 43 NVIDIA GPUs, very large memory servers, ultra-fast 200 gigabits-per-second networking and 5 petabytes of high-performance storage.

The system is capable of more than 1.6 petaflops��of double-precision performance. “Peta” in petaflops refers to��a quadrillion (1,000,000,000,000,000). “Flops” are floating-point operations per second, or the number of math problems (like 4.5 x 1.2) the system can solve every second.

In other words, Zurada HPC can perform more than 1.6 quadrillion calculations every second.

To understand the magnitude of this capability, imagine if each of the approximately eight billion people on Earth performed one calculation every second. It would take them more than 55 hours to do what this machine can do in one second. This kind of speed is necessary to solve complex problems with billions of interacting variables, such as research in drug discovery, cybersecurity, AI and high-performance materials development.

Researchers can learn more about using the system .

The program integrates leadership training with federal policy insight and skill development, equipping fellows to take on key roles in an evolving sector. Fellows take part in retreats, interactive learning opportunities, projects and a placement experience at another college or university. The program also provides the chance to build a valuable network of higher education leaders. The fellowship year offers opportunities for ACE Fellows to view leadership in action and emerge with both the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to implement effective changes for higher education.��

“Being named an ACE Fellow offers an opportunity to deepen my engagement in institutional decision-making, learn alongside a national cohort of peers and draw from proven best practices to strengthen leadership capacity and drive meaningful, mission‑centered impact,” Craddock said.��

Craddock joins an elite list of previous ACE Fellows from the University of Louisville. They are Richard Clover, 2001-2002, and Aristófanes Cedeño, 2006-2007. UofL also has hosted five fellows through the��American Council on ������Ƶ program.

The ACE Fellows Program is one of the longest-running leadership development programs in the United States with more than 2,500 alumni – many now��presidents, provosts and senior executives.

Central to this success is Get Healthy Now’s strategic outreach to medical plan enrollees, encouraging preventive care through primary care provider visits while elevating awareness of chronic condition management and mental health resources. These coordinated efforts have contributed to measurable increases in participation across wellness programs, demonstrating the power of intentional, inclusive engagement.

The awards also recognize UofL’s continued commitment to wellness during times of adversity, highlighting how colleagues across the university come together to support one another on their wellness journeys, even through difficult times. Further underscoring this commitment, the university embedded well-being into its future direction through Strategy 1.2, “Champion well-being, belonging and a flexible, adaptive work environment,” within UofL’s 2026-30��. Together, these honors celebrate not only program excellence, but shared dedication to cultivating a healthier, more resilient university community built on collaboration, compassion and care.

“I am deeply honored to accept these awards on behalf of the University of Louisville,” said Tamara Iacono, wellness coordinator for Get Healthy Now. “Seeing our campus community come together with such intention and compassion, especially during challenging times, has been truly inspiring. This recognition affirms the collective commitment of our colleagues to prioritizing wellness and supporting one another. I am grateful that well-being remains a university-wide priority, and I look forward to continuing to build on this strong foundation as we advance our focus on wellness through the new Strategic Plan.”

That collective commitment is reflected across the campus community��and��in close collaboration among wellness leaders. Iacono works closely with Whitney Sweeney-Martin, director of faculty success and well-being, to align and advance university-wide wellness initiatives. A passionate advocate for well-being herself, Sweeney-Martin served as a speaker at this year’s event, delivering��The Journey of Alignment: From Personal Well-being to Collective Impact. Her remarks emphasized the powerful connection between individual well-being and team culture, inviting participants to explore how self-awareness, intention and compassion can drive positive, collective outcomes; values that closely mirror the collaborative approach she and Iacono bring to UofL’s wellness work every day.

These awards celebrate the work underway and��signal what’s possible when wellness is prioritized at every level of the university. With strong collaboration, bold vision and continued commitment, UofL remains focused on advancing a culture of well-being that empowers its people and strengthens the university for the future.

UofL encourages employees to explore available resources at the����and continue building a healthier workplace together.��

The program was developed with the input of supply chain leaders from a diverse range of regional and national corporations, ensuring graduates are equipped with skills modern employers value.

“Supply chain management is a core function of every global, national and regional business, and the demand for skilled professionals in this field has never been greater,” said Amy Henley, dean of the UofL College of Business. “We are thrilled to offer students a rigorous, industry-informed degree that prepares them for a rewarding and lucrative career while strengthening the talent pipeline for employers across our region and beyond.”

The 27-credit-hour program of study is built around five capabilities identified by employers as critical:

• A broad business perspective
• Core supply chain and operations knowledge
• The ability to turn data into actionable information
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Relevant practical experience.

Students will have the opportunity to earn credit through internships and co-ops with regional industry partners and may choose to pursue international study abroad experiences. The curriculum also incorporates applications of artificial intelligence and data analytics, reflecting the modern demands of the profession.

“At UPS, we know today’s supply chains run on data, technology and collaboration across complex networks. Programs like UofL’s global supply chain management degree help develop the talent that powers Louisville’s world-class logistics ecosystem,” said Peg O’Neil, president, UPS Network Design & Optimization.

Supply chain management is among the fastest-growing career fields in Kentucky, with a projected 10-year job growth rate of 34%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Louisville’s status as a major national logistics hub – with access to an international airport, major waterways, rail infrastructure and interstate highways – gives students exceptional proximity to industry leaders, internship opportunities and real-world learning experiences.

For more information about the BSBA in global supply chain management at the UofL College of Business, visit .

“I was an entrepreneur before I knew what an entrepreneur was,” Allen said. “In elementary school, I would fold up paper and sell origami – probably not very good origami. In high school I would bake brownies and sell snacks to the students. When COVID hit, I offered homework assistance to other students for an additional stream of income. I didn’t realize that was an entrepreneur mindset, but it was something I really enjoyed.”

As a Central High School student, Allen was selected for the����with the��. The program offers high school students the chance to earn college credits and a direct path to admission to the school.

The stress of adding college coursework to two jobs, high school and navigating COVID restrictions nearly derailed the opportunity. She messaged the instructor that she wanted to quit the course.

“I was in distress. I just wanted to drop this class,” Allen recalled. “I had so much going on. I was a manager at Arby’s and that was all I knew.”

A conversation with Raymond Green, the then-principal at Central and current senior director of undergraduate programs in the College of Business, changed her attitude toward work and education.

“I didn’t know a story of going to college and finding a career. For the first time in my life, someone told me, ‘You have your whole life to work at fast food. This is an opportunity that you wouldn’t want to miss,’” Allen said. “So, I continued on with the course.”

After graduating from high school in 2021, Allen enrolled at UofL and took part in an internship with UofL Campus Dining, which she held for two years.��

“It didn’t feel like working,” Allen said. “I liked putting together events for students. Going from thinking of the promotions or activities and how to decorate and fast forward to being at the event and seeing everyone enjoying it was fulfilling.”

Allen also took advantage of Alternative Service Breaks, travelling to Puerto Rico and Chicago. Most recently, she took a trip to the Black Elk Wilderness and Mount Rushmore through the����and Campus Recreation.

Challenges and support

While Allen enjoyed her classwork and the college experience, mental health challenges threatened her success. Allen experienced several bouts of serious depression, resulting in failing grades and the loss of financial aid. She felt like her life was crumbling around her. Her instructors worked with her and encouraged her to get help at the��. She would find solutions only to experience another setback.

“There were a lot of moments where I didn’t know what the end looked like for me. It got so bad where I genuinely felt like it would be better to not be here anymore,” Allen said. “At one point, I attempted suicide.”

But her support network rallied to help.��

“I had so much support around me. I had support through the school, my friends and my family showed up for me. I have a community through church,” Allen said. “I told myself I would no longer be a victim. I just wanted to take control of my life.”

With help from her UofL instructors and staff and support through her employer, Allen’s financial aid was restored and she got back on track academically.��

This month, Allen graduated from UofL’s College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, a minor in entrepreneurship and a certificate in sales. She encourages anyone struggling with depression to get help and push through.��

“If I could talk to someone who is in that position I would tell them, ‘Don’t give up. Keep pushing. Keep trying. It’s OK to cry, wipe your tears and get back up. Just don’t give up.’”

A bright future

For her next step, Allen has secured a full-time position at Republic Bank, where she originally worked as an intern.

Kat Roberts, Allen’s director at Republic Bank, praised her growth since joining the bank.

“LaRoya Allen joined Republic Bank as a contact center intern and has since grown into a client experience representative who truly embodies our commitment to exceptional service,” said Roberts, VP and director of contact center client experience for Republic Bank. “She brings a rare combination of professionalism, warmth and genuine care to every interaction. I’ve had the privilege of watching her evolve from supporting behind-the-scenes initiatives to becoming a standout representative. LaRoya’s positive energy and dedication make her not only a valued team member, but a true ambassador of our client experience.”

Allen’s long-range plans include engaging her entrepreneurial spirit through additional education and creating a youth program.

“I do plan on going back to school after a few years of working. I want to focus on building my own business and climbing a ladder in the field that I choose

“I always loved going to the dental office and trying to see what they were doing through the reflections from their goggles,” said the Knoxville, Tenn., native. “My childhood dentist was the only healthcare provider I had who looked like me. As I grew up, I also wanted to be a source of inspiration for future generations of providers,” she said.

Rainey, a May 2026 graduate, took a moment to speak with UofL News about her journey to become a dentist.

UofL News: You worked as a dental hygienist in Tennessee from 2014 to 2020 before being accepted to the UofL School of Dentistry. What inspired you to go for dental school and why Louisville?

Rainey: Dental school was always the end goal. I learned about ULSD as a pre-dental student through Dr. Sherry Babbage-Melisizwe, who visited Tennessee State University to present about the dental school. Her tenacity and passion during that meeting ignited my desire to be taught by her and a curiosity about Louisville. The next summer, I attended Summer Medical and Dental ������Ƶ Program (SMDEP) in Louisville, and I knew ULSD was my dream for dental school. When it came down to it, Louisville was the first dental school to offer me the chance to complete my number one childhood goal.

UofL News: What has been your favorite part of the dental school experience?

Rainey: All the meaningful connections and communities built along this journey. From classmates to staff and faculty, and even patients, I formed new life-long friendships that I can’t imagine living without. There are lots of individuals I am really going to miss seeing on a daily basis.

UofL News: You received numerous awards for the volunteer hours you have devoted to community dentistry such as UofL’s Goodwill Opportunity Clinic and Free Smiles Clinic. What is it about that work that is gratifying for you?

Rainey: I always had a heart for service. From middle school forward, I was always active in local and national community-based service organizations (such as Beta Club, USNDA, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Remote Area Medical). Coupling that with my love of providing free dental services is my niche. I plan to continue volunteering with free dental clinics wherever I am living. Sometimes, help is simply needed without any strings attached.

UofL News: What are your post-graduation plans?

Rainey: I am a National Service Corps scholar, so the next four years I will be fulfilling my service requirements in underserved areas. I’ve signed on with a federally qualified health center in Northern Kentucky. While I wait on my license to process to begin work, I will definitely enjoy a bit of a break.

UofL News: Now that you are embarking in your career as a dentist, what is your patient care philosophy?

It is important to me that I understand my patient’s needs and wants so that I can provide them with the necessary information for them to make an informed decision about their health. I always want to create a safe, non-judgmental environment for my patients to build a bridge of trust. The majority of them notice and appreciate this.

UofL News: How do you envision your long-term goals and career path?

Rainey: As far as long-term goals, I see myself volunteering and providing mentorship to other young aspiring professionals. How and where I will be to do that is still up in the air, but I know everything will work out in the end. I hope my journey in becoming a dentist may inspire upcoming generations of oral health professionals.