Tori Summey

Associate Director, Employer Engagement

Bio: Tori was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and now calls Lexington home. She earned a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University and an M.S. in Community and Leadership Development from the University of Kentucky, where she is currently working to complete a Ph.D. in Higher Education.

Tori serves as the Associate Director of Employer Engagement at the University of Kentucky’s Stuckert Career Center, where she leads the employer engagement team in developing strategic partnerships that connect employers with UK students and alumni. Through this work, she helps create meaningful pathways for career exploration, professional growth, and workforce connection across a wide range of industries.

Prior job that shaped her: One of Tori’s most formative job experiences was serving as an Event Manager, or “Party Captain,” for Make Meaning throughout high school and part of college. This role helped shape her understanding of hospitality, customer service, and creating one-of-a-kind experiences and interactions.

How she would describe herself: Enthusiastic, optimistic, empathetic, purpose-driven, resilient, and determined.

What she enjoys doing outside of work: Playing board games, reading, exploring new places, hiking, and paddleboarding.

A goal in life: To travel to every continent (personally), and to help students reach their career goals (professionally).

Fun fact: Tori bungee jumped off the Kawarau Bridge in New Zealand, the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping.