CHS Welcomes New Students to UK

‘I knew I wanted to come’

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

Rachel Galo has some non-traditional reasons for wanting to come to UK. 

First, the freshman from St. Louis, Mo., says she’s loved Lexington ever since coming to the Railbird Festival to listen to Chris Stapleton in 2024. Subsequent trips to the festival in the ensuing years only cemented her love for the city. 

“I wanted to get out of Missouri, and I loved this town,” she says. “So, I knew I wanted to come to UK.”

She only knows two other people from Missouri that came to Kentucky. But early in her life, she felt she wanted to help others, and that led her to the Human Health Sciences major on the pre-med track. You see, for as long as she can remember, her mother had cancer — and in January, the woman she admired so much sadly lost her battle and passed away.

“I want to be a doctor,” Galo says. “I want to help other people — maybe oncology. And yes, it’s a way to honor her.”

Galo and nearly 300 incoming CHS students came out to the Harris Ballroom Thursday morning in the Gatton Student Center for the annual CHS College Welcome Day, where they learned about things like Academic Affairs, Compliance, Advising and Peer Mentors. It’s another record year for incoming students in the college; this incoming class has increased by about 20 percent over last year, to nearly 500 students, and the focus is now on keeping them here.

“It’s important to have students come out to this event because we’re starting the process of building a community,” said Rebecca Serrano, director of advising for CHS. “We introduce the resources they will need, and we try and get them to feel a little more comfortable.”

Serrano told the students to take advantage of their professors’ office hours, to ask questions, and to not underestimate the power of communicating with their peers. 

“All of this can be exciting, energizing, and sometimes a little overwhelming — and that’s completely normal,” she said. 

“We have a great team here,” said academic advisor Lesli Hall. “We work together to support you guys on your journey. We’re much more than just telling you what classes to take. Ask us questions.”

Officials noted a couple of helpful bits of information:

• Next week, advisers said they would host open-door office hours, where anyone could drop by, Monday through Friday, 1-4 p.m.
• Aug. 28 (next Friday), at 4 p.m., will be the last day to add a class to your schedule. 

“You will face challenges, and those speed bumps on your journey are normal,” said Susan Herrick, CHS academic affairs coordinator. “If we didn’t challenge you now … you will not be prepared for the challenges you face in healthcare.”

Afterward, the students split into groups to meet and talk with their peer mentors, a group of CHS students who focus on fostering growth and community for first-year students in the college. 

“Our job is to help you out and get to know you,” said Ashley Downing, a third-year peer mentor from Union, Ky., majoring in Human Health Sciences on the pre-Physical Therapy track. “We’re here to guide you throughout your time here.”

Galo, who appreciated being able to have an opportunity to hear from so many, said Thursday she’s had a great time at UK so far. 

“It’s been so fun,” she said. “I love making new friends and meeting new people.”