Learn more about UPIKE and why it is the right choice for you.
See if UPIKE is a good fit for you and take the next steps in becoming a student.
The vision for the College of Dental Medicine is to be known and respected for service, innovation, clinical excellence and interprofessional education.
We are practitioners of the healing arts defining the standard for excellence in optometric education and vision care.
Our D.O. medical school is nationally ranked and recognized for a reputation of excellence in rural medicine and family healthcare. UPIKE’s osteopathy program gives you a clear path to success in the medical field.
Explore our online undergraduate and graduate programs and learn more about earning your degree at UPIKE.
The Office of Diversity, Excellence and Belonging promotes a caring, inclusive, and supportive antiracist environment conducive to learning for students, staff and faculty, and community members alike. We collaborate with students who will be future leaders and guide them in their cultural competency to best serve in community service, humanitarian efforts, and global outreach.
Welcome to the Office of Diversity, Excellence and Belonging — here you will be respected and valued as you are challenged to foster diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, justice, and access in your communities.
The University of Pikeville’s Office of Diversity, Excellence and Belonging champions the intersections of the people we serve and partner with, including and not limited to:
People
As part of the University of Pikeville’s mission, we recognize the infinite worth that each person brings to the UPIKE community. We strive to be a campus where students, faculty, and staff can thrive in their full humanity each day. While much progress has been made, we understand embedding diversity, equity and inclusive excellence must be an ongoing assessment and refining of our policies, processes, and practices to ensure our students, faculty and staff feel seen, heard and valued.
UPIKE strives to:
Jasmine Sauceda-Izbrand (they/them | elle)
Director of Diversity, Excellence and BelongingAdministration Building – 207C: (606) 424-0097 O: (606) 218-5291 jsaucedaizbrand@upike.edu
The psalmist says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14). This poetic rejoicing is based on the distinctive reality that each person is created with infinite worth. In light of this awe-inspiring reality, “UPIKE recognizes the infinite worth of each person” as part of our mission statement. We, in the Office of Diversity, Excellence and Belonging, strongly believe in this empowerment of our community. You are not defined by your past. You are not defined by where you come from. You get to show up every day and write the next chapter of your story. In case no one has told you today, YOU HAVE INFINITE WORTH.
The Justice, Excellence, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Leadership Program, funded by Columbia Gas of Kentucky’s NiSource Charitable Foundation, cultivates future leaders. This year-long program features guest speakers from across Kentucky for the Fall semester and organizes community service projects for the Spring semester.
In the Fall, participants will gain insights into potential career paths, develop professional skills, and witness examples of leadership in action throughout the Commonwealth. Guest speakers include the Judge-Executive of Magoffin County, an economic development leader from Martin County, staff from AppalReD Legal Aid, local employer Appalachian Wireless, Breaks Interstate Park leadership, and other critical leaders for the region.
In the Spring, participants will lead and organize projects for local organizations fostering the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Projects include making blankets for nursing home residents, trash clean ups, and drives for can food, clothing, and stuffed animals.
The Office of Diversity, Excellence and Belonging offers trainings and workshops upon request.
Examples include introduction and overview of the Office of DEB, faculty and staff mandatory trainings, Special Topics in Medicine lectures, and orientations for KYCOM, KYCO, and undergraduate students.
Please email the Director of Diversity, Excellence and Belonging with your request to schedule an interest meeting.
Expand the + selection below to view monthly holidays and celebrations.
Mental Wellness Month Honor your mental health by bringing awareness to the topic and participating in activities that promote your overall well-being.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Celebration On the third Monday of January each year, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the only national holiday commemorating the actions of an African-American. Originally petitioned to honor King’s dedication to trade unions, Ronald Reagan established it on November 2, 1983.
Black History Month Black History Month, also known as African-American Heritage Month, is celebrated every February in the United States. Because of the timing of the birthdays of two important individuals in the fight to end slavery, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, Black History Week was initially slated for the second week in February in 1926. However, in 1976 it was expanded to encompass the entire month of February to recognize the significant achievements made by the African-American community in all aspects of American society.
National Women’s History Month Annually celebrated in March, Women’s History Month acknowledges the many contributions made by women to America’s rich past. From its beginnings as International Women’s Day on March 8, 1911, it has been expanded twice by the United States Congress, first as a weeklong celebration in 1981 and to its current month-long celebration in 1987.
National Deaf History Month (March 13 to April 15) The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) urges everyone to recognize and celebrate mid-March through Mid-April. The month includes three critical moments in American History for the Deaf community: March 13, 1988, Deaf President Now protest, the April 8, 1864, signing of the Gallaudet University charter by President Abraham Lincoln and the April 15, 1817 establishment of American School for the Deaf in Hartford, CT as he first permanent public school for the deaf.
Autism Acceptance Month Autism Awareness Month was founded in April 1970 by Bernard Rimland, Ph. D., a psychologist and autism researcher. He chose the month of April to coincide with his son’s birthday, as well as the start of spring—a time for new beginnings.
Earth Day Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
Asian American, Native Hawai’ian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month Originally celebrated in the first ten days of May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. In May 1990, the holiday was expanded further to the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. In April 2021, the month of May was recognized as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. May commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.
LGBTQ+ PRIDE Month Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is observed in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.
Juneteenth June 19, 1865 is celebrated annually to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.
Disability Pride Month Disability Pride Month is celebrated each year in July. Disability Pride initially started as a day of celebration in 1990—the year that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law.
National Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed September 15- October 15 in the United States. It recognizes the contributions made by people of Hispanic descent and celebrates Hispanic culture. Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 because it is the anniversary of five Latin American countries’ Independence Day: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Disability Awareness Month Disability awareness is celebrated year-round both nationally and internationally. It recognizes individuals with disabilities and the importance of diversity in our community.
Global Diversity Awareness Month The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly acknowledges and values humans, regardless of their nationality, color, race, sex, gender, country of origin, language, or other protected characteristic.
Pikeville Pride Held during LGBT History Month in beautiful downtown Pikeville, this day-long event is a day full of affirmations, love, acceptance and of course, rainbows.
Native American Heritage Month National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November. It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation.
Diwali Meaning “rows of lighted lamps,” Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness for different cultures across the world, especially South Asia. Learn More
Veterans Day (November 11) Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11 for honoring military veterans who served honorably in the United States Armed Forces.
International Day of Tolerance (November 16) Tolerance recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others.
International Education Week (IEW) (November 18-22, 2022) International Education Week is an opportunity to appreciate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Together, we celebrate the diversity of cultures on campus through food, music and or art.
Trans Day of Remembrance (November 20) Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people who died in acts of anti-transgender violence.
World AIDS Day (December 1) Initiated in 1998 and observed on December 1, World AIDS Day was the first time a health day was observed globally. The day is an opportunity to fight the disease, stand in solidarity, support those with HIV and remember those who lost their lives to this illness.
Kwanzaa Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1
Below are policy links for Employees (Faculty & Staff)
To view Student Related Policies please visit the links below:
To view University of Pikeville policies related to Title IX please visit the Title IX page below:
Beth Kingery, JD, MBA (she, her, hers)
Executive Director of Compliance and Legal Affairs
Title IX Coordinator(606) 218-5344BethanyBowersock@upike.edu
The Office of Human Resources supports university employees throughout their employment experience at UPIKE. We provide key support services such as recruitment, on-boarding, benefits and payroll administration as well as internal and external customer service. We focus on recruiting and retaining employees who are dedicated to meeting the needs of students and promoting a caring and supportive environment conducive to learning.
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.HR@upike.eduPhone: (606) 218-5346Fax: (606) 218-5214
Mailing Address147 Sycamore StreetPikeville, Kentucky 41501
Physical AddressLaughlin Cottage165 N. Elm StreetPikeville, Kentucky 41501
Affinity Student Organizations i. UPIKE Pride+ ii. BSU
https://upike.campusgroups.com/bsu/home
4) BSU Graduate Chapter:a. Advisor: Jasmine Sauceda-Izbrandb. President: to be filledc. Vice President: to be filled
i. Showers are available in the basement of Armington
i. grassrootsna.orgii. area26.net/wp/
Visit the Financial Aid Scholarships page for a full listing of all available scholarships including the Jackson First Semester Living Scholarship, Jimmy Justice Memorial Scholarship and Ace First Generation Scholarship.