Meet Our Fellows | Gaines Center for the Humanities

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Representing more than 20 degree programs, our Gaines Fellows represent some of the finest undergraduates at the University of Kentucky.

Our Junior Fellows

Botshelo Angoma — Angoma Botshelo

"I feel a great sense of excitement and opportunity to bridge my passions in art and health. Each discipline has its nuance, I believe through the Gaines Fellowship, I can explore creativity in health in an effort to find novel solutions for public issues. Furthermore the prospect of finding a community that would support me in doing so is even more exciting, as we all share passion for the humanities."

Maria Arenas Florez — María Arenas Flórez

"Being awarded the Gaines Fellowship is a tremendous honor. This fellowship will not only provide me with a community of like-minded individuals but also offer the opportunity to cultivate lasting friendships and professional relationships. Through this network, I anticipate engaging in enriching discussions, expanding my knowledge, and collaborating on innovative ideas that will shape my future endeavors and contribute to personal growth and success."

Maria Carey — Maria Carey

"I am ecstatic to be a Gaines Fellow as I believe that this will be an incredible opportunity to push my knowledge and learn more about the humanities. I know the lectures will be invigorating and encourage me to dive deeper to explore my curiosity. I am thrilled to be able to conduct my own research project senior year since I am always wanting to know more about the statistics of my community. I have grown up in the arts so I hope to gain a better understanding of the humanities and how it has truly affected my life for the better."

Caleb Dotson — Caleb Dotson

"I am so grateful to be selected from among the many excellent applicants. Humanities have always held a special place in my life, and I am excited to explore how they intersect with my professional interests. I look forward to learning from the other fellows and being challenged to grow not only as a scholar and a student but as a person."

Danielle Ferriell — Danielle Ferriell

"I am so thankful to be offered this opportunity. I am excited to learn lots of new things, meet new people, and gain skills that I hope to take with me into my future endeavors. I am passionate about psychological research and believe an education in the humanities will provide me with a strong foundation to grow in my career."

Beaux Hardin — Beaux Hardin

"I am so excited to have been awarded the Gaines Fellowship! I am extremely lucky and cannot wait to get started. I hope to learn from all the experiences that Gaines will give and I hope to gain a way to give back to my community!"

Chase Myers — Chase Myers

"I am beyond grateful to be awarded the Gaines Fellowship. My time at UK has been one filled with discovery, and I hope to continue this journey of creative exploration during my time in the Gaines Fellowship. Through this program, I hope to grow my abilities in ways that will best help those within our community, specifically through the creative art of writing and poetry."

Faith Sammons — Faith Sammons

"I am so beyond honored to be part of the Gaines Fellowship. I hope to dive deeper into my studies and find ways to integrate advocacy work into my work in the humanities, particularly in the culinary and fine arts."

Kauner Shacklette — Kauner Shacklette

"As a first-generation student, the Gaines Fellowship is symbolic of the fact that anything is possible when you are determined. I feel extremely grateful and honored to be awarded this opportunity as it will help me further my interest in the field of architecture. I hope the experience helps me explore the relationship between humans and their understanding of the world. The humanities are all about people and I hope to interact with a diverse group of individuals, whether that be other fellows, artists, or public officials."

Amica Snow — Amica Snow

"I am excited to be awarded the Gaines Fellowship. Everyone at UKY knows how competitive and coveted this fellowship is, so I am exhilarated to be a part to participate. As a Gaines Fellow, I hope to diversify my research skills and connect with my peers who share an appreciation for the arts."

Marc Vazsonyi — Marc Vazsonyi

"I am very excited and honored to have been awarded the Gaines Fellowship. I believe it will be an excellent opportunity for me to connect with a diverse group of students who are also passionate about learning, and to engage in shared learning opportunities. I also look forward to gaining experience conducting research guided by faculty members."

Natalie Williams — Natalie Williams

"I am absolutely ecstatic to be awarded the Gaines Fellowship and have this incredible opportunity, I was so excited when I saw the email show up on my drive home for break that I called everyone to let them know! I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the humanities and I am excited for the academic and personal growth that I believe will accompany being a part of this program. I am excited to learn about and research things that are meaningful and interesting to me for my thesis and community service project, and hope to also create lasting and meaningful connections with my fellow Gaines Fellows and all of the staff."

Our Senior Fellows

Anna Benton — Anna Benton

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 — Ella Brown-Terry

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 — Lucas Carlos de Lima

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 — Alycie Caya

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 Pena — Mariana Escobedo de la Peña

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 — Timihia Murphy

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 Overly — James Overly

James is a Biology and Neuroscience major with a Psychology minor, from Brentwood, Tennessee.

Alyssah Robinson — Alyssah Robinson

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 Rodriguez Soto — Daniela Rodriguez Soto

Daniela is a Management and Marketing major with an International Business minor, from Heredia, Costa Rica.

Diksha Satish — Diksha Satish

Diksha is a Biology and Mathematics major and a Lewis Honors student, from Frankfort, Kentucky.

Avery Schanbacher — Avery Schanbacher

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 — Brenna Staser

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.