Representing more than 20 degree programs, our Gaines Fellows represent some of the finest undergraduates at the University of Kentucky.
Ellie Browning is a Community and Leadership Development major, also minoring in Sustainable Agriculture.
Eriel Burns is a junior from Clarksville, TN majoring in political science with a business minor. She is a co-captain of the public forum debate team at UK and is on the pre-law track with interests in corporate law and civil litigation.
Isha Chauhan is a junior biology major in the Honors college. She is a native of Kentucky where she graduated from Oldham County High School. Although a lot of her free time is spent with her new puppy, she also enjoys writing and exploring science. She loves research and hopes to attend graduate school where she plans to pursue a PhD in the life sciences! She is excited to be a Gaines fellow and learn more about the intersection between the humanities and STEM.
Joseph Cox (He/Him) is an Interior Design major and Creative Writing minor. In addition to this, he is also pursuing a certificate in Historic Preservation and remains very active within the College of Design. Serving as President Elect of the Interior Design Student Association, as well as an ambassador for the college, Joseph organizes and plans opportunities for fellow students to engage with the professional field. Upon graduation, and even now, Joseph plans to utilize his interests in different fields to preserve individual narratives and build on the culture of his community.
Leena Haider is an Honors student majoring in history with a minor in biology here at the University of Kentucky. She has been involved in various organizations and programs on campus: the Lewis Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition, Asian American Association, Empower Women’s Leadership, and undergraduate research associated with the history and human health sciences department and the University’s Special Collections as a Learning Lab intern. She is passionate about sharing history, public health, and advocacy. In her spare time she likes to read, go on hikes, and try out new recipes.
Danica Hak is an interior design major with a minor in dance from Bowling Green, Kentucky. As well as being a Gaines Fellow, she is an Undergraduate Research Ambassador, the public relations chair for UK’s Interior Design Student Association, the marketing coordinator for UKDOTD’s Studio Season, and a College of Design Fabrication Technology Lab Assistant. Through all of this, she has enjoyed finding the productive cross-disciplinary overlaps between design and various performing arts through light and scenic design. She appreciates the experiences and stories of those around her and hopes to highlight these voices and implement them in others’ lives through meaningful, impactful, and deeply emotive design.
Shria Holla is a Mathematical Economics major with minors in Political Science and Statistics from Richmond, KY. In addition to being a Gaines Fellow, she is the president of the Economics Society, a Peer Mentor with the Lewis Honors College, and a choreographer for Kentucky Karana. She is also involved with undergraduate research and engages with the community by teaching Lexington youth public speaking. In her free time, Shria enjoys walks in the park and attending cultural festivals. After college, she hopes to attend graduate school to obtain a Ph.D. in economics.
Jessica is pursuing a dual degree in English and Environmental & Sustainability Studies. On top of writing for several magazines, she is a UK Libraries Diversity Scholar, an officer of the AdoptionClub, and a tutor for both CARES and the Carnegie Center for Literacy. Inspired by several internships in museums and archival, Jessica aspires to be a museum curator.
Joshua Alan Miller is a Patterson Scholar from McHenry, Illinois seeking a Dual Degree in Merchandising, Apparel, & Textiles and Management through the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment and Gatton College of Business and Economics (respectively) in hopes of working in Apparel Design after graduation. He draws inspiration from Dance-Music, Queer-Culture, Puerto-Rican Culture, and all forms of human-expression. Outside of academia Joshua enjoys listening to loud music, talking, cooking, running, and watching the Packers.
Nicholas Relich is an Economics and Political Science major from Richmond, Kentucky. He is currently involved at the UK Wesley Foundation and is a youth group leader at his church, Centenary UMC. In the future, he plans to pursue a career in public policy.
Gretchen Ruschman is an Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology major, with a minor in Microbiology. Gretchen is also part of the Lewis Honors College.
Kate Walker (she/her) is a Dance major with minors in Interdisciplinary Arts and Gender and Women’s Studies. Along with being a Gaines Fellow, Kate has served as an ambassador for the College of Fine Arts and is co-Senior Peer Mentor for the Creative Arts Living Learning Program. You will often find Kate on stage performing in dance concerts at UK. She has also created numerous choreographic works for the Department of Theatre and Dance. She enjoys exploring the relationships between art and culture and using dance and the creative process as a vehicle for research.
Anna Benton (she/they) is an artist, dancer, and arts advocate from Louisville, KY with a background of intense training in classical ballet. Upon arrival at the University of Kentucky, she found her love for contemporary modern dance and the creative liberty made possible by its inherent inclusivity and divergence from conventionalism. Passionate about creative movement and access to dance education, Anna is obtaining a dual degree in Dance and Arts Administration with a certificate in Diversity and Inclusivity Awareness. Outside of the academic world and the dance studio, you can find Anna drinking coffee, taking pictures of a sunset, or watching Star Wars.
Ella Brown-Terry is a junior English major with a minor in French. Though she spent the first ten years of her life living in Lexington, she calls Murray, Kentucky home. She is a member of the Lewis Honors College, an ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences, and a member of Graphite Creative Writing Association. In her free time, she enjoys taking ballet classes, reading and writing, working the crossword, and collecting vintage clothing. After university, Ella hopes to earn her Ph.D. in English literature so she can spend her life teaching college and researching Old English poetry, Early Modern drama, or Modernist poetry.
Lucas Carlos de Lima (he/him) is an international student ambassador from Avaré, Brazil. He is pursuing an Architectural degree with a certificate in Historic Preservation. When not occupied designing, Lucas spends much of his free time at WRFL 88.1 FM acting as Promotions Director for the station as well as conducting his radio show (Thursdays @ Midnight currently!). Besides his academic and radio lives, Lucas is interested in researching how the built environment can impact mental health and human perceptions. After graduation, he hopes to return to his home country and dedicate his efforts to improving living conditions in underserved communities.
Alycie Caya is an Honors student majoring in Foreign Language & International Economics and minoring in Environmental & Sustainability Studies. Outside of Gaines, she serves as a Resident Advisor in the First-Generation LLP, as Director of Outreach for UK Student Sustainability Council, and was previously a Gatton Women Business Leader. She is most passionate about the interactions between the built and natural worlds, especially in an urban and economic context, and she hopes to establish a deeper connection between humans and the environment through her research. In her free time, you can find Alycie practicing piano, exploring secondhand shops, or blabbering about public transportation.
Mariana Escobedo de la Peña is an international student from Guatemala double majoring in Sociology and Gender and Women’s studies. For her future professional career, she wants to focus on working with Indigenous communities from Guatemala, especially with Indigenous women, and be an ally in their fight for equality. Besides academics, dance is one of her biggest passions, and she loves to dance a little bit of everything. Mariana is also part of the Alternative Service Breaks organization, and she is an international ambassador both for the university and for the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a very curious person who loves learning new things!
Timihia Murphy is a junior in the Landscape Architecture program. They are from Louisville, Kentucky and has previously served as an ambassador for a year with the Martin Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. Through their education they have found a love for plant knowledge with hopes of working in a plant nursery, botanical garden, or flower farm one day. Outside of school during their free time they like to draw abstract concepts, do makeup on themselves & others, and they have an interest in nature photography.
James is a Biology and Neuroscience major with a Psychology minor, from Brentwood, Tennessee.
Alyssah Robinson (she/her) is a History major with a minor in African American and Africana Studies, from Louisville, Kentucky. She is president of Blue Note, UK’s only mixed acappella group. She has a passion for research and writing and plans to pursue a PhD in African American and Africana Studies.
Daniela is a Management and Marketing major with an International Business minor, from Heredia, Costa Rica.
Diksha is a Biology and Mathematics major and a Lewis Honors student, from Frankfort, Kentucky.
Avery Schanbacher is a junior Music and English double major from Versailles, Kentucky. Outside of Gaines, she is a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, as well as the UK Wind Symphony. Avery is passionate about reading, writing, and literature research, especially in regards to American and Kentucky authors. She hopes to pursue a career in education, and is excited to continue exploring the humanities and the interconnectedness of literature, music, and culture. She plays clarinet, and enjoys baking, sewing, and listening to all kinds of music.
Brenna Staser is junior English and Philosophy major from Henderson, Kentucky. Outside of Gaines, Brenna is a Lewis Honors Scholar and has competed in high school and undergraduate Mock Trial for seven years. Brenna currently serves as the UK Mock Trial team’s Vice President. After graduating from UK, Brenna plans to attend law school to pursue her passion for public speaking and trial advocacy. Outside of academia, Brenna enjoys exploring new cooking styles and dishes, dancing at Wednesday Zumba, and talking about Tyler Childers and Lady Gaga.