I AM UPIKE

The University of Pikeville recognizes the importance of creating pathways to higher education for all students and the value of building a strong and diverse campus community. In line with this commitment, UPIKE welcomed Katrina Rugless to the Bear family as the university’s first director of diversity in 2021.

Having spent the last two decades serving in higher education in director-level positions, Rugless has the professional background and experience needed to design and implement programs that support UPIKE’s diverse student body, spanning 48 states and 17 countries.

“As an African American female in environments where I didnʼt feel seen, heard, or like my input mattered, I want to ensure the environment at UPIKE is a place that attracts and retains diverse students and staff,” said Rugless. “But, more importantly, I want the students and staff to feel that this is an environment where they belong and can succeed.”

Rugless’ primary role is to provide leadership in developing and implementing a wide array of strategic initiatives that engage all faculty, staff and students, considering the critical importance of engaging people with diverse experiences and perspectives. Rugless also mentors and supports diversity-oriented student groups.

My vision is to imbed diversity, equity and inclusion into the fabric and DNA of UPIKE,” said Rugless. “We should look at diversity beyond numbers and data. The individual should be at the center of everything.

Katrina Rugless, UPIKE's first director of diversity

In her first year with UPIKE, Rugless is already making an impact. She has developed a diversity committee whose members include staff from human resources, student success, the disabilities office and more. Her idea was to gather those who are influential in students’ lives, representing diverse groups and initiatives on campus.

“My approach to this work is developing shared goals, having shared accountability for achieving those goals and celebrating our collective success. It’s our work, not just my work,” said Rugless. “By building meaningful partnerships and with buy-in from the decision-makers of influential departments, this work will succeed.”

Rugless has revitalized the Black Student Union and brought new events to campus for Black History and Women’s History Months. She is also working closely with Pride+ and partnering with the Campus Activities Board to support international students and other groups to address campus issues and bring people together to collectively create solutions.

“Miss Katrina is a powerhouse of a human being. She really does care for the students on this campus and wants to see everyone be the best they can be,” said film and media arts major and Pride+ member Joshua Smith. “I couldn’t respect someone on this campus more. I feel like this is more than a job for her. Her goal is to see everyone feel loved and accepted at UPIKE.”

Joshua Smith, film and media arts major and member of Pride+

Coordinator of Tutoring at the Center for Academic Excellence Daria Aguila works with students daily, helping them to grow academically, but also to embrace their individuality. Aguila and Rugless collaborated to launch a new initiative called I AM UPIKE, where students and faculty of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities are featured each month.

I AM UPIKE embodies the spirit of discovering everyone’s uniqueness and identifying how they fit into the campus mosaic. It is about empowering students by respecting and appreciating what makes them different, in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education or national origin. By fostering a culture of diversity and the ability to appreciate and value individual differences, the university invites students to confront challenges and achieve success. I AM UPIKE means all are contributors to the UPIKE family.

“Since I see a lot of students and they feel connected to me, the I AM UPIKE initiative allows me to include them in the process of changing the environment on campus,” said Aguila. “Students’ voices are seen, heard and valued. The idea is to bring all people, students, staff and faculty together.”

Rugless has expanded the strategies that were already in progress at the university. She stepped in to give leadership to the faculty and staff who were ready to move ahead in a positive direction of equity and inclusion.

There was already a huge appetite for change in this area. We are what we have been waiting for and we have the resources and skills to do it. We just have to ask ourselves if we are ready,” said Rugless. “Everyone deserves an opportunity to come to the table and be part of the incredible things that are happening here.

The Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Kentucky College of Optometry also have diversity committees that host events for the student body geared toward making the professional schools more inclusive and celebrating differences.

“UPIKE and KYCOM have exceeded my expectations when it comes to diversity and inclusion. I think that being a smaller school in rural Appalachia, the university tries very hard to make this environment as inclusive as it can be for minorities such as myself,” said KYCOM diversity committee member Taylor Nguyen. “I have been welcomed with open arms! When I walk around campus, there are so many advertisements for events that are centered on uplifting, celebrating and learning about different minority groups.”

Taylor Nguyen, KYCOM diversity committee member

By Amy Charles