College of Education Student Ambassadors

mia.arias@uky.edu 

Kinesiology- Exercise Science, Pharmacology Minor

Union, KY 

Hi! My name is Mia Arias. I am a Junior from Union, Kentucky studying Kinesiology Exercise Science on a Pre-Physical Therapy track. I hope to attend Physical Therapy School and eventually become a Sports Med PT! Along with being an Ambassador, I am also involved in the UK Student Health Advisory Council, KHP Club, and Pre-PT Student Association. I am also a soccer coach for Lexington Sporting Club and work as an intern with the LSC Professional Men's team. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, painting, reading, traveling, and attending sporting events and concerts!

Audrey.Babcock@uky.edu 

Kinesiology- Exercise Science

Louisville, KY

Hello Wildcats! My name is Audrey Babcock and I am a senior here at the University of Kentucky. My major is kinesiology, but after graduation I plan to attend dental school! My dream after dental school is to practice as a general and cosmetic dentist. Some of my hobbies include reading, hot pilates, running, and spending time out at the farm.

Vanessa.Darby@uky.edu 

Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education

Houston, TX 

Hi, y'all! I'm Vanessa Darby, a senior majoring in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood. I'm from Houston, Texas, but I've also lived in Louisville, Kentucky. I am currently the President of the Kentucky Association of Early Childhood Educators. I'm also involved with UK's EMPOWER for Women. After graduation, I plan to become a teacher. I eventually want to get my master's in administration to become a school principal one day. I like to spend time with my friends and family in my free time, do arts and crafts, and watch movies.

emma.hampton@uky.edu 

Middle Level Education

Hanson, KY

Hi! My name is Emma Hampton. I am a junior studying Middle-Level Education. Aside from school, I am a member of CRU—a campus ministry organization, Alpha Phi Omega—a service fraternity, and BCMLA— Bluegrass Collegiate Middle-Level Association. Along with my extracurriculars, I will be beginning my journey as a UK tour guide this year. I love going on nature walks, trying new restaurants, and singing karaoke. If it’s a way to get me out of my comfort zone, count me in! I also love anything and everything UK sports. I have been a die-hard basketball fan since the beginning of time but college has slowly converted me to a football fan, too. Go BBN!

llha240@uky.edu 

Kinesiology- Exercise Science

Elizabethtown, KY

Hi, my name is Lara Hasouneh and I am from Elizabethtown, Kentucky! I am a sophomore majoring in Kinesiology Exercise Science on a Pre-Dental tract. I am aiming on attending Dental school, specializing; although, I haven’t decided in what yet, and opening my own practice after I graduate. At UK, I am on the subcommittee of the MSA and a volunteer for LUA, Mission Lexington, and the SHARE Center. Outside of being a College of Education student ambassador, I love watching TV with my cat, going to the gym, and cooking!

Avery.Heath@uky.edu 

Kinesiology- Exercise Science

Owensboro, KY

Hey everyone! I’m Avery Heath and I’ll be a junior studying Kinesiology on the Pre-Med track. It has always been a dream of mine to become a plastic surgeon. On campus, I am also involved in Greek Life, Movement Mentors, Mentors for Kids, Student Philanthropy Board, and CHAARG! In my free time I love to run and be outside! I am so excited to work with everyone in the future!

christina.hunnicutt@uky.edu 

Middle Level Education

Kingsport, TN

Hello! My name is Christina Hunnicutt and I am from Kingsport. TN. I am a senior in the Middle Level Education program. I am currently serving as the Secretary for Bluegrass Collegiate of Middle Level Association here at UK and as College of Education Student Ambassador. In the future, I hope to be a middle school educator teaching either math or science! In my free time, I can be found enjoying all the good food Lexington has to offer or spending time with my cat and dog!

nmjo230@uky.edu 

Elementary Education

Louisville, KY

Hello! My name is Nina Jones and I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I am a junior studying Elementary Education. At UK I am involved in the Elementary Education Student Association as a dance blue officer. I also am involved in UK’s department of Theatre and Dance and have participated in the annual dance concert. I spend a lot of my time away from campus working at after-school programs. In my free time I love to spend time with family, watch netflix, and read. I also love to travel and explore new places. In the future I plan to attend graduate school and start teaching!

raneem.ktout@uky.edu 

Kinesiology- Exercise Science, Business Minor

Elizabethtown, KY

Hello! My name is Raneem Ktout and I am from Elizabethtown Kentucky! I am currently a junior majoring in Kinesiology with an online business certificate in hopes of attending dental school after I graduate! I currently work as a dental assistant and involved in the pre-dental society, medlife, and MSA! During my free time, I love going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and shopping!

Jada.Lunsford@uky.edu 

Kinesiology- Exercise Science, Spanish Minor

Darien, IL

Hi! My name is Jada Lunsford, and I’m from Darien, Illinois. I’m a junior majoring in Kinesiology Exercise Science with a minor in Spanish on the premed track. In the future, I hope to become a sports medicine doctor and work with athletes and professional sports teams. On campus, I am a second year resident advisor, a College of Education Student Ambassador, and involved in undergraduate research. In my free time, I like to watch Netflix, play sports, and hang out with my friends.

Thapelo.Molefhi@uky.edu 

Kinesiology- Exercise Science

Gaborone, Botswana 

Hey! My name is Thapelo Molefhi and I am an international student from Gaborone, Botswana. I am a junior majoring in Kinesiology. On campus I am involved with the African Student Association, work with the International Center as part of the International Student Leadership team, and work within ResLife as an RA. Aside from school obligations, in my free time I usually play basketball, design clothes and spend time with friends and family. My ultimate goal is to end up as a team physician for a professional team preferably within the NBA, NFL or Football (soccer).

ellie.paynter@uky.edu 

Middle Level Education

Elizabethtown, KY

My name is Ellie Paynter, and I am a sophomore middle level education major with a focus in English and social studies. I am a Shift group leader at the Christian Student Fellowship, a dance teacher at a local studio, and a College of Education ambassador. In my free time, I enjoy reading, golfing, going to hockey games, and working out. In the future, I hope to be a middle school social studies or English teacher in my hometown!

cmpe241@uky.edu 

Kinesiology- Exercise Science, Coaching Minor

Murfreesboro, TN

Hi! My name is Crystan Pea. I am a junior from Murfreesboro, TN studying Kinesiology with a minor in Coaching in hopes to be a prosthetist. I am the founder and president of Minority Youth Ministry and an Edlife Peer Mentor. In my free time, I like to hang out with friends, go on late night drives, binge watch shows, and go to all UK sporting events!

Elise.Slavey@uky.edu 

Special Education, Psychology Minor

Independence, KY 

Hi my name is Elise Slavey, I am from Independence, Kentucky. I am a Senior studying Special Education with a future pathway in ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), with a minor in Psychology. Currently, I am an Ambassador for the College of Education. I am also a member of the American Sign Language & Deaf Club, Best Buddies Organization, Student Council For Exceptional Children, and KDP. For my free time I love to take walks with my dog, hang out with my friends, and go to athletic events!

jlta.246@uky.edu 

STEM Education and Mathematics

Crestwood, KY          

Hi! My name is Jessi Taylor, and I am from Crestwood, Kentucky. I am a sophomore, and am currently double majoring in STEM Education as well as Mathematics, with plans to become a high school math teacher! In addition to being a College of Education student ambassador, I am also a member of the Lewis Honors College. I love attending UK sporting events, listening to country music, playing volleyball, and going on walks with my dogs.

Lindsey.Taylor1@uky.edu 

Elementary Education

Georgetown, KY

Hi Wildcats! I am Lindsey Taylor and I am from Georgetown, KY (grew up fifteen minutes from campus!) I am an elementary education major who plans in the future to be a primary classroom teacher. On campus, I am involved in my sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta and DanceBlue. I am also a dance teacher to kids 3-5 and the director of summer camp programming at the dance studio. Outside of school, I love watching UK basketball and listening to Taylor Swift! 

cc.wira@uky.edu 

Elementary Education, Criminology Minor

Fort Thomas, KY

Hello! My name is CC Wira and I am from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. I am a sophomore studying elementary education with a minor in criminology. In the future I plan on teaching kindergarten as well as becoming an Applied Behavioral Analyst. Aside from being a college ambassador, I work as a nanny for multiple families and I am a manager at Papa Johns. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, going on adventures, traveling, and listening to music.

sarah.wade@uky.edu 

Elementary Education, Coaching Minor

Grayslake, IL

Hi!! My name is Sarah Wade and I am an Elementary Education major and Coaching minor from the Northern Chicago suburbs (Grayslake). I am planning to graduate in the Spring of 2025! Apart from being an ambassador for the College of Education, I am also a member of Phi Mu Sorority and the UK Club Figure Skating Team! Some of my favorite things to do on the beautiful UK campus is go to football and basketball games, walk around campus, and go to the Arboretum!

abby.zimlich@uky.edu

Secondary English Education and English

Savannah, GA

Hi, I'm Abby Zimlich! I am a junior from Savannah, Georgia studying English and English Education. Outside of being a student ambassador, I am a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and a member of Cover to Cover, the book club on campus. In my free time, I love to read, spend time with friends and listening to podcasts!