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Ready to get involved and make a difference on campus? 💙🤍
Join us for the Community Development Society’s first meeting of the semester! We’ll introduce who we are, share our goals, and dive into what CDS has planned this semester.

Curious about leadership opportunities? We’ll talk about that too! Whether you want to connect with fellow students, help shape our projects, or step into a leadership role, this is the perfect place to start.

📅 September 18th
🕒 5:30PM – 6:30PM
📍 Garrigus 7th Floor

Come see how you can be part of building community at UK!

Ready to get involved and make a difference on campus? 💙🤍
Join us for the Community Development Society’s first meeting of the semester! We’ll introduce who we are, share our goals, and dive into what CDS has planned this semester.

Curious about leadership opportunities? We’ll talk about that too! Whether you want to connect with fellow students, help shape our projects, or step into a leadership role, this is the perfect place to start.

📅 September 18th
🕒 5:30PM – 6:30PM
📍 Garrigus 7th Floor

Come see how you can be part of building community at UK!

What does community really mean? 🤔
Is it about connection? Growth? Having a space to share ideas? Or maybe it’s just free food at meetings (no shame, we get it). 😉

At the Community Development Society (CDS), we think it’s all of the above — and more. We’re here to build stronger communities by connecting people, sparking conversations, and turning ideas into action. Whether it’s learning from each other, celebrating leaders who are making an impact, or creating space for real dialogue, CDS is all about making community happen.

And the best part? We’ve got room for anyone who is curious, open, and ready to connect!

👉 Swipe through this post to get a glimpse of what we do, and then hit us with your questions. Big, small, random — doesn’t matter. We want to talk about it (seriously, try us). Drop them in the comments or send us a DM.

Because community isn’t built by one person — it’s built by all of us, together. 💙

What does community really mean? 🤔
Is it about connection? Growth? Having a space to share ideas? Or maybe it’s just free food at meetings (no shame, we get it). 😉

At the Community Development Society (CDS), we think it’s all of the above — and more. We’re here to build stronger communities by connecting people, sparking conversations, and turning ideas into action. Whether it’s learning from each other, celebrating leaders who are making an impact, or creating space for real dialogue, CDS is all about making community happen.

And the best part? We’ve got room for anyone who is curious, open, and ready to connect!

👉 Swipe through this post to get a glimpse of what we do, and then hit us with your questions. Big, small, random — doesn’t matter. We want to talk about it (seriously, try us). Drop them in the comments or send us a DM.

Because community isn’t built by one person — it’s built by all of us, together. 💙

What does community really mean? 🤔
Is it about connection? Growth? Having a space to share ideas? Or maybe it’s just free food at meetings (no shame, we get it). 😉

At the Community Development Society (CDS), we think it’s all of the above — and more. We’re here to build stronger communities by connecting people, sparking conversations, and turning ideas into action. Whether it’s learning from each other, celebrating leaders who are making an impact, or creating space for real dialogue, CDS is all about making community happen.

And the best part? We’ve got room for anyone who is curious, open, and ready to connect!

👉 Swipe through this post to get a glimpse of what we do, and then hit us with your questions. Big, small, random — doesn’t matter. We want to talk about it (seriously, try us). Drop them in the comments or send us a DM.

Because community isn’t built by one person — it’s built by all of us, together. 💙

What does community really mean? 🤔
Is it about connection? Growth? Having a space to share ideas? Or maybe it’s just free food at meetings (no shame, we get it). 😉

At the Community Development Society (CDS), we think it’s all of the above — and more. We’re here to build stronger communities by connecting people, sparking conversations, and turning ideas into action. Whether it’s learning from each other, celebrating leaders who are making an impact, or creating space for real dialogue, CDS is all about making community happen.

And the best part? We’ve got room for anyone who is curious, open, and ready to connect!

👉 Swipe through this post to get a glimpse of what we do, and then hit us with your questions. Big, small, random — doesn’t matter. We want to talk about it (seriously, try us). Drop them in the comments or send us a DM.

Because community isn’t built by one person — it’s built by all of us, together. 💙

What does community really mean? 🤔
Is it about connection? Growth? Having a space to share ideas? Or maybe it’s just free food at meetings (no shame, we get it). 😉

At the Community Development Society (CDS), we think it’s all of the above — and more. We’re here to build stronger communities by connecting people, sparking conversations, and turning ideas into action. Whether it’s learning from each other, celebrating leaders who are making an impact, or creating space for real dialogue, CDS is all about making community happen.

And the best part? We’ve got room for anyone who is curious, open, and ready to connect!

👉 Swipe through this post to get a glimpse of what we do, and then hit us with your questions. Big, small, random — doesn’t matter. We want to talk about it (seriously, try us). Drop them in the comments or send us a DM.

Because community isn’t built by one person — it’s built by all of us, together. 💙

What does community really mean? 🤔
Is it about connection? Growth? Having a space to share ideas? Or maybe it’s just free food at meetings (no shame, we get it). 😉

At the Community Development Society (CDS), we think it’s all of the above — and more. We’re here to build stronger communities by connecting people, sparking conversations, and turning ideas into action. Whether it’s learning from each other, celebrating leaders who are making an impact, or creating space for real dialogue, CDS is all about making community happen.

And the best part? We’ve got room for anyone who is curious, open, and ready to connect!

👉 Swipe through this post to get a glimpse of what we do, and then hit us with your questions. Big, small, random — doesn’t matter. We want to talk about it (seriously, try us). Drop them in the comments or send us a DM.

Because community isn’t built by one person — it’s built by all of us, together. 💙

Welcome back, Wildcats! 💙 We hope your first week back was everything you needed and more!
Our CDS executive board is already at work planning something special 👀… but what’s coming next? A meeting? An event? A chance to connect with your community? You’ll just have to wait and see. 😉

Make sure to follow along this week — we’ll be sharing more about who we are, our mission, and how we’re building stronger communities on and off campus. Big things are coming, and we want you to be apart of it.

Welcome back, Wildcats! 💙 We hope your first week back was everything you needed and more!
Our CDS executive board is already at work planning something special 👀… but what’s coming next? A meeting? An event? A chance to connect with your community? You’ll just have to wait and see. 😉

Make sure to follow along this week — we’ll be sharing more about who we are, our mission, and how we’re building stronger communities on and off campus. Big things are coming, and we want you to be apart of it.

Join our programming coordinator @robinhelene12 tonight!
This is a great opportunity to learn more about the agriculture of Bourbon County and support some local farms and minority farmers!
Join tonight for fun, food and as always, community!

Join our programming coordinator @robinhelene12 tonight!
This is a great opportunity to learn more about the agriculture of Bourbon County and support some local farms and minority farmers!
Join tonight for fun, food and as always, community!

Join our programming coordinator @robinhelene12 tonight!
This is a great opportunity to learn more about the agriculture of Bourbon County and support some local farms and minority farmers!
Join tonight for fun, food and as always, community!

Join us TODAY!
Registration will be at the visitor/education center, park in the lot or alongside the curb in the white spots in case parking is full.
The goal depending on the weather is to work on some special invasive species of plants, we will mostly be doing winter creeper, chickweed, garlic mustard and some light honeysuckle.
Happy Earth Day 🌍
See you this afternoon!

Leading with Passion We Have Lily Banford @lilybanford
Major: Community Leadership Development, Plant and Soil Science
Position in CDS: Co-Chair
Hometown: Huntington, WV
Fun Fact: I get to Scotland twice this semester with the Community Innovation Lab!!
Pets: Great Dane named Zeke, Piper my cat
Favorite Karaoke song: Anything Rihanna.. I LOVE her
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?:
I am excited to foster a sense of community on UK’s campus for all students. I’d love to make this large campus feel a little smaller and provide a space for community and belonging :)

Leading with Passion We Have Lily Banford @lilybanford
Major: Community Leadership Development, Plant and Soil Science
Position in CDS: Co-Chair
Hometown: Huntington, WV
Fun Fact: I get to Scotland twice this semester with the Community Innovation Lab!!
Pets: Great Dane named Zeke, Piper my cat
Favorite Karaoke song: Anything Rihanna.. I LOVE her
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?:
I am excited to foster a sense of community on UK’s campus for all students. I’d love to make this large campus feel a little smaller and provide a space for community and belonging :)

Leading with Passion We Have Lily Banford @lilybanford
Major: Community Leadership Development, Plant and Soil Science
Position in CDS: Co-Chair
Hometown: Huntington, WV
Fun Fact: I get to Scotland twice this semester with the Community Innovation Lab!!
Pets: Great Dane named Zeke, Piper my cat
Favorite Karaoke song: Anything Rihanna.. I LOVE her
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?:
I am excited to foster a sense of community on UK’s campus for all students. I’d love to make this large campus feel a little smaller and provide a space for community and belonging :)

Leading with Passion We Have Lily Banford @lilybanford
Major: Community Leadership Development, Plant and Soil Science
Position in CDS: Co-Chair
Hometown: Huntington, WV
Fun Fact: I get to Scotland twice this semester with the Community Innovation Lab!!
Pets: Great Dane named Zeke, Piper my cat
Favorite Karaoke song: Anything Rihanna.. I LOVE her
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?:
I am excited to foster a sense of community on UK’s campus for all students. I’d love to make this large campus feel a little smaller and provide a space for community and belonging :)

Leading with Passion We Have Lily Banford @lilybanford
Major: Community Leadership Development, Plant and Soil Science
Position in CDS: Co-Chair
Hometown: Huntington, WV
Fun Fact: I get to Scotland twice this semester with the Community Innovation Lab!!
Pets: Great Dane named Zeke, Piper my cat
Favorite Karaoke song: Anything Rihanna.. I LOVE her
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?:
I am excited to foster a sense of community on UK’s campus for all students. I’d love to make this large campus feel a little smaller and provide a space for community and belonging :)

Leading with Passion We Have Lily Banford @lilybanford
Major: Community Leadership Development, Plant and Soil Science
Position in CDS: Co-Chair
Hometown: Huntington, WV
Fun Fact: I get to Scotland twice this semester with the Community Innovation Lab!!
Pets: Great Dane named Zeke, Piper my cat
Favorite Karaoke song: Anything Rihanna.. I LOVE her
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?:
I am excited to foster a sense of community on UK’s campus for all students. I’d love to make this large campus feel a little smaller and provide a space for community and belonging :)

Making Waves in Leadership is our next board member: Arin McGinty
@rnmcginty_
Major: CLD with a minor in communication
Position: Co-Chairperson
Hometown: St. Louis, MO but living in Raleigh, NC
Fun fact: I have two pet eels and I can drive a stick shift
Pets: An English bulldog named Winston and my two eels (fanboy and banana)
Favorite karaoke song: You’re so vain by Carly Simon
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
I’m really excited to be apart of a group that is as passionate about community development as I am. We’ve got a lot to look forward to as a board but I’m really excited to be apart of the annual CDS conference this July!

Making Waves in Leadership is our next board member: Arin McGinty
@rnmcginty_
Major: CLD with a minor in communication
Position: Co-Chairperson
Hometown: St. Louis, MO but living in Raleigh, NC
Fun fact: I have two pet eels and I can drive a stick shift
Pets: An English bulldog named Winston and my two eels (fanboy and banana)
Favorite karaoke song: You’re so vain by Carly Simon
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
I’m really excited to be apart of a group that is as passionate about community development as I am. We’ve got a lot to look forward to as a board but I’m really excited to be apart of the annual CDS conference this July!

Making Waves in Leadership is our next board member: Arin McGinty
@rnmcginty_
Major: CLD with a minor in communication
Position: Co-Chairperson
Hometown: St. Louis, MO but living in Raleigh, NC
Fun fact: I have two pet eels and I can drive a stick shift
Pets: An English bulldog named Winston and my two eels (fanboy and banana)
Favorite karaoke song: You’re so vain by Carly Simon
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
I’m really excited to be apart of a group that is as passionate about community development as I am. We’ve got a lot to look forward to as a board but I’m really excited to be apart of the annual CDS conference this July!

Making Waves in Leadership is our next board member: Arin McGinty
@rnmcginty_
Major: CLD with a minor in communication
Position: Co-Chairperson
Hometown: St. Louis, MO but living in Raleigh, NC
Fun fact: I have two pet eels and I can drive a stick shift
Pets: An English bulldog named Winston and my two eels (fanboy and banana)
Favorite karaoke song: You’re so vain by Carly Simon
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
I’m really excited to be apart of a group that is as passionate about community development as I am. We’ve got a lot to look forward to as a board but I’m really excited to be apart of the annual CDS conference this July!

Making Waves in Leadership is our next board member: Arin McGinty
@rnmcginty_
Major: CLD with a minor in communication
Position: Co-Chairperson
Hometown: St. Louis, MO but living in Raleigh, NC
Fun fact: I have two pet eels and I can drive a stick shift
Pets: An English bulldog named Winston and my two eels (fanboy and banana)
Favorite karaoke song: You’re so vain by Carly Simon
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
I’m really excited to be apart of a group that is as passionate about community development as I am. We’ve got a lot to look forward to as a board but I’m really excited to be apart of the annual CDS conference this July!

Making Waves in Leadership is our next board member: Arin McGinty
@rnmcginty_
Major: CLD with a minor in communication
Position: Co-Chairperson
Hometown: St. Louis, MO but living in Raleigh, NC
Fun fact: I have two pet eels and I can drive a stick shift
Pets: An English bulldog named Winston and my two eels (fanboy and banana)
Favorite karaoke song: You’re so vain by Carly Simon
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
I’m really excited to be apart of a group that is as passionate about community development as I am. We’ve got a lot to look forward to as a board but I’m really excited to be apart of the annual CDS conference this July!

Making Waves in Leadership is our next board member: Arin McGinty
@rnmcginty_
Major: CLD with a minor in communication
Position: Co-Chairperson
Hometown: St. Louis, MO but living in Raleigh, NC
Fun fact: I have two pet eels and I can drive a stick shift
Pets: An English bulldog named Winston and my two eels (fanboy and banana)
Favorite karaoke song: You’re so vain by Carly Simon
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
I’m really excited to be apart of a group that is as passionate about community development as I am. We’ve got a lot to look forward to as a board but I’m really excited to be apart of the annual CDS conference this July!

Making Waves in Leadership is our next board member: Arin McGinty
@rnmcginty_
Major: CLD with a minor in communication
Position: Co-Chairperson
Hometown: St. Louis, MO but living in Raleigh, NC
Fun fact: I have two pet eels and I can drive a stick shift
Pets: An English bulldog named Winston and my two eels (fanboy and banana)
Favorite karaoke song: You’re so vain by Carly Simon
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
I’m really excited to be apart of a group that is as passionate about community development as I am. We’ve got a lot to look forward to as a board but I’m really excited to be apart of the annual CDS conference this July!

We can’t forget the Visionary Behind the Magic: Lexie Robins
@alexishrobin

We can’t forget the Visionary Behind the Magic: Lexie Robins
@alexishrobin

We can’t forget the Visionary Behind the Magic: Lexie Robins
@alexishrobin

We can’t forget the Visionary Behind the Magic: Lexie Robins
@alexishrobin

We can’t forget the Visionary Behind the Magic: Lexie Robins
@alexishrobin

And Bringing the Energy: Clarissa “Skittles” Rhule
@lifeofaskittle
Major: Digital & Mass Communication and Community Leadership Development
Minor: Photography
Position in CDS: External Communications Coordinator
Hometown: Odenton, Maryland but now Lexington is home
Fun Fact: I sang the national anthem at a game for our minor league baseball team in Maryland.
Pets: 2 Dogs Maddie and Libby
Favorite karaoke song: Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
Learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts in the things in my communities I’m passionate about.

And Bringing the Energy: Clarissa “Skittles” Rhule
@lifeofaskittle
Major: Digital & Mass Communication and Community Leadership Development
Minor: Photography
Position in CDS: External Communications Coordinator
Hometown: Odenton, Maryland but now Lexington is home
Fun Fact: I sang the national anthem at a game for our minor league baseball team in Maryland.
Pets: 2 Dogs Maddie and Libby
Favorite karaoke song: Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
Learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts in the things in my communities I’m passionate about.

And Bringing the Energy: Clarissa “Skittles” Rhule
@lifeofaskittle
Major: Digital & Mass Communication and Community Leadership Development
Minor: Photography
Position in CDS: External Communications Coordinator
Hometown: Odenton, Maryland but now Lexington is home
Fun Fact: I sang the national anthem at a game for our minor league baseball team in Maryland.
Pets: 2 Dogs Maddie and Libby
Favorite karaoke song: Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
Learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts in the things in my communities I’m passionate about.

And Bringing the Energy: Clarissa “Skittles” Rhule
@lifeofaskittle
Major: Digital & Mass Communication and Community Leadership Development
Minor: Photography
Position in CDS: External Communications Coordinator
Hometown: Odenton, Maryland but now Lexington is home
Fun Fact: I sang the national anthem at a game for our minor league baseball team in Maryland.
Pets: 2 Dogs Maddie and Libby
Favorite karaoke song: Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
Learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts in the things in my communities I’m passionate about.

And Bringing the Energy: Clarissa “Skittles” Rhule
@lifeofaskittle
Major: Digital & Mass Communication and Community Leadership Development
Minor: Photography
Position in CDS: External Communications Coordinator
Hometown: Odenton, Maryland but now Lexington is home
Fun Fact: I sang the national anthem at a game for our minor league baseball team in Maryland.
Pets: 2 Dogs Maddie and Libby
Favorite karaoke song: Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
Learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts in the things in my communities I’m passionate about.

And Bringing the Energy: Clarissa “Skittles” Rhule
@lifeofaskittle
Major: Digital & Mass Communication and Community Leadership Development
Minor: Photography
Position in CDS: External Communications Coordinator
Hometown: Odenton, Maryland but now Lexington is home
Fun Fact: I sang the national anthem at a game for our minor league baseball team in Maryland.
Pets: 2 Dogs Maddie and Libby
Favorite karaoke song: Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
Learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts in the things in my communities I’m passionate about.

And Bringing the Energy: Clarissa “Skittles” Rhule
@lifeofaskittle
Major: Digital & Mass Communication and Community Leadership Development
Minor: Photography
Position in CDS: External Communications Coordinator
Hometown: Odenton, Maryland but now Lexington is home
Fun Fact: I sang the national anthem at a game for our minor league baseball team in Maryland.
Pets: 2 Dogs Maddie and Libby
Favorite karaoke song: Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
Learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts in the things in my communities I’m passionate about.

And Bringing the Energy: Clarissa “Skittles” Rhule
@lifeofaskittle
Major: Digital & Mass Communication and Community Leadership Development
Minor: Photography
Position in CDS: External Communications Coordinator
Hometown: Odenton, Maryland but now Lexington is home
Fun Fact: I sang the national anthem at a game for our minor league baseball team in Maryland.
Pets: 2 Dogs Maddie and Libby
Favorite karaoke song: Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community?
Learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts in the things in my communities I’m passionate about.

Next Up the Legend in the Making: Javan Thomas
@_yaboyjavan
Major: Community Leadership Development, minor in Public Policy, Certificate in Urban Community Forestry
Position in CDS: National Liaison
Hometown: Bourbon County
Fun Fact: I almost skipped my high school graduation to play a gig in Pittsburgh but that all changed when I slammed into a side of a mountain!
Pets: 1 VERY spoiled dog, Amelie (Millie) Jenkins
Favorite karaoke song: never done karaoke but I think I’d body Come Down by Anderson .Paak
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community? What facilities we have and can apply to community research, building an arsenal of knowledge that communities can arm themselves with. Also, learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts within the things in my communities I’m passionate about.
Keep an eye out for events Javan will be at, you won’t want to miss him!
Maybe he’ll make an appearance Friday… stop by and find out!

Next Up the Legend in the Making: Javan Thomas
@_yaboyjavan
Major: Community Leadership Development, minor in Public Policy, Certificate in Urban Community Forestry
Position in CDS: National Liaison
Hometown: Bourbon County
Fun Fact: I almost skipped my high school graduation to play a gig in Pittsburgh but that all changed when I slammed into a side of a mountain!
Pets: 1 VERY spoiled dog, Amelie (Millie) Jenkins
Favorite karaoke song: never done karaoke but I think I’d body Come Down by Anderson .Paak
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community? What facilities we have and can apply to community research, building an arsenal of knowledge that communities can arm themselves with. Also, learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts within the things in my communities I’m passionate about.
Keep an eye out for events Javan will be at, you won’t want to miss him!
Maybe he’ll make an appearance Friday… stop by and find out!

Next Up the Legend in the Making: Javan Thomas
@_yaboyjavan
Major: Community Leadership Development, minor in Public Policy, Certificate in Urban Community Forestry
Position in CDS: National Liaison
Hometown: Bourbon County
Fun Fact: I almost skipped my high school graduation to play a gig in Pittsburgh but that all changed when I slammed into a side of a mountain!
Pets: 1 VERY spoiled dog, Amelie (Millie) Jenkins
Favorite karaoke song: never done karaoke but I think I’d body Come Down by Anderson .Paak
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community? What facilities we have and can apply to community research, building an arsenal of knowledge that communities can arm themselves with. Also, learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts within the things in my communities I’m passionate about.
Keep an eye out for events Javan will be at, you won’t want to miss him!
Maybe he’ll make an appearance Friday… stop by and find out!

Next Up the Legend in the Making: Javan Thomas
@_yaboyjavan
Major: Community Leadership Development, minor in Public Policy, Certificate in Urban Community Forestry
Position in CDS: National Liaison
Hometown: Bourbon County
Fun Fact: I almost skipped my high school graduation to play a gig in Pittsburgh but that all changed when I slammed into a side of a mountain!
Pets: 1 VERY spoiled dog, Amelie (Millie) Jenkins
Favorite karaoke song: never done karaoke but I think I’d body Come Down by Anderson .Paak
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community? What facilities we have and can apply to community research, building an arsenal of knowledge that communities can arm themselves with. Also, learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts within the things in my communities I’m passionate about.
Keep an eye out for events Javan will be at, you won’t want to miss him!
Maybe he’ll make an appearance Friday… stop by and find out!

Next Up the Legend in the Making: Javan Thomas
@_yaboyjavan
Major: Community Leadership Development, minor in Public Policy, Certificate in Urban Community Forestry
Position in CDS: National Liaison
Hometown: Bourbon County
Fun Fact: I almost skipped my high school graduation to play a gig in Pittsburgh but that all changed when I slammed into a side of a mountain!
Pets: 1 VERY spoiled dog, Amelie (Millie) Jenkins
Favorite karaoke song: never done karaoke but I think I’d body Come Down by Anderson .Paak
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community? What facilities we have and can apply to community research, building an arsenal of knowledge that communities can arm themselves with. Also, learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts within the things in my communities I’m passionate about.
Keep an eye out for events Javan will be at, you won’t want to miss him!
Maybe he’ll make an appearance Friday… stop by and find out!

Next Up the Legend in the Making: Javan Thomas
@_yaboyjavan
Major: Community Leadership Development, minor in Public Policy, Certificate in Urban Community Forestry
Position in CDS: National Liaison
Hometown: Bourbon County
Fun Fact: I almost skipped my high school graduation to play a gig in Pittsburgh but that all changed when I slammed into a side of a mountain!
Pets: 1 VERY spoiled dog, Amelie (Millie) Jenkins
Favorite karaoke song: never done karaoke but I think I’d body Come Down by Anderson .Paak
What are you looking forward to learning from the CDS community? What facilities we have and can apply to community research, building an arsenal of knowledge that communities can arm themselves with. Also, learning how to take my leadership skills and apply them to make positive impacts within the things in my communities I’m passionate about.
Keep an eye out for events Javan will be at, you won’t want to miss him!
Maybe he’ll make an appearance Friday… stop by and find out!

First Up the Powerhouse Herself: Zoey Ortega @zoeyortega_
Year: Junior (graduating May 2026)
Major: Community and Leadership Development, Sustainable Agriculture minor, Agricultural Leadership Certificate
Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA
Position: Internal Communications Coordinator
Other Involvement: MG-CAFE Ambassador, Collegiate Farm Bureau
Pets: Dog - Lola and Horse - Gator
Interests: riding horses, traveling, reading
Internship: UK Agricultural Communications Services
Come Meet Zoey Friday from 2pm-3pm for Hot Cocoa and Community!

First Up the Powerhouse Herself: Zoey Ortega @zoeyortega_
Year: Junior (graduating May 2026)
Major: Community and Leadership Development, Sustainable Agriculture minor, Agricultural Leadership Certificate
Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA
Position: Internal Communications Coordinator
Other Involvement: MG-CAFE Ambassador, Collegiate Farm Bureau
Pets: Dog - Lola and Horse - Gator
Interests: riding horses, traveling, reading
Internship: UK Agricultural Communications Services
Come Meet Zoey Friday from 2pm-3pm for Hot Cocoa and Community!

First Up the Powerhouse Herself: Zoey Ortega @zoeyortega_
Year: Junior (graduating May 2026)
Major: Community and Leadership Development, Sustainable Agriculture minor, Agricultural Leadership Certificate
Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA
Position: Internal Communications Coordinator
Other Involvement: MG-CAFE Ambassador, Collegiate Farm Bureau
Pets: Dog - Lola and Horse - Gator
Interests: riding horses, traveling, reading
Internship: UK Agricultural Communications Services
Come Meet Zoey Friday from 2pm-3pm for Hot Cocoa and Community!

New Faces, Same Mission!
Leadership starts here & this week we’re introducing the incredible leaders behind the University of KentuckyCommunity Development Society!
Stay tuned to learn more about each member as we count down to our event on Friday!