The Center for Academic Resources and Enrichment Services (CARES) offers a variety of signature programs designed to bolster students' academic and personal growth. These programs include annual events, interactive workshops, and celebratory gatherings, all aimed at fostering a supportive environment. Through personalized advising, peer tutoring, and community engagement initiatives, CARES ensures that students have the resources and opportunities necessary for their overall success and development.

The Dinkle-Mas Suite for LGBTQ* Resources serves as a community space for UK students. Come visit us to wind down in between classes, eat your lunch, work on homework, play board games, do some de-stress crafting, or even take a nap under our gazebo! Check out our various resources including our sexual wellness cart, menstrual hygiene station, lending library, community craft cabinet, and more!

There are many resources, both on and off campus. Learning what is available and a good fit for your needs is something we can help with. Case managers have in-depth knowledge of the resources and can walk you through every step in making those connections.  Making a referral for yourself gets you set up with a case manager.

The Office of LGBTQ* Resources is committed to making sure that all members of our community have access to restrooms that are safe and respectful. The list below represents the single toilet lockable restrooms on campus that are available for regular use. Expanding this database is an ongoing project. This database is also available as part of the campus map and on the UK mobile smartphone app.

Lavender Graduation ceremonies are held at multiple campuses across the United States. The goal is to celebrate LGBTQ* students and their accomplishments and achievements while on campus. The ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, a Jewish Lesbian, who was denied the opportunity to attend the graduations of her biological children because of her sexual orientation. From this experience, she concluded that a ceremony for LGBTQ* students was needed. Dr. Sanlo helped conduct the first Lavender Graduation in 1995 at the University of Michigan.

Want help making a decision or solving a problem?

Need support around a recent life event?

Curious about whether counseling is for you?

Drop in to Let's Talk for a brief, confidential, one-on-one conversation with a Counseling Center clinician!

Let's Talk provides easy access to informal, confidential conversations with clinicians from the UK Counseling Center. 

• No appointment necessary.
• In-person at locations around campus.
• Open to all University of Kentucky undergraduate, graduate and professional students.   

Let’s Talk is an informal conversation. Let’s Talk is not counseling.  

Disclaimer: 

• Although Let's Talk clinicians are mental health professionals, Let's Talk conversations do not constitute mental health treatment.
• Limits to confidentiality- When there is an immediate threat of harm to you or others, Let's Talk clinicians are required by law to report this. When a minor, elderly person, or someone otherwise incapacitated is being abused, Let's Talk clinicians are also required by law to report this.
• If your Let's Talk clinician assesses that you could benefit from a higher level of care, every effort will be made to refer you to appropriate resources at the university and/or in the community. 

Our office provides free menstrual hygiene products to any student who needs them. Students may come into our space to retrieve these products any time during our office hours. 

Whether you are looking for the right religious or spiritual student organization to join, you are interested in starting a new religious or spiritual student organization, or you'd just like to know more about our office, schedule an in-person or zoom meeting with our Director Justin Sadle.

Schedule a meeting

SafeZone Workshops are 90-minute workshops to equip individuals to be more aware and active allies. This workshop explores LGBTQ* identities, strategies for supporting student experiences, and exploring LGBTQ* related campus and community resources.

When you see one of these magnets in an office on campus, it indicates that the person has undergone our SafeZone workshop and is a safe space for LGBTQ* students.

The Office of LGBTQ* Resources hosts 2-3 campus-wide SafeZones per semester; these are open to all UK faculty, staff, and students. 

For more information on upcoming campus-wide SafeZones or to schedule a SafeZone, visit our SafeZone page. 

The Trans* and Gender Non-conforming Support Group is open to any UK student seeking support and community connection around gender identity and gender expression.

To participate in the Trans* and Gender Non-Conforming Support Group, call the Counseling Center at (859) 257-8701.