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The vision for the College of Dental Medicine is to be known and respected for service, innovation, clinical excellence and interprofessional education.
We are practitioners of the healing arts defining the standard for excellence in optometric education and vision care.
Our D.O. medical school is nationally ranked and recognized for a reputation of excellence in rural medicine and family healthcare. UPIKE’s osteopathy program gives you a clear path to success in the medical field.
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Office of Admissions 147 Sycamore Street Pikeville, Kentucky 41501 (606) 218-5251 wewantyou@upike.edu
UPIKE’s friendly admissions staff is committed to guiding you from the time you apply through orientation. Get to know us!
Dean of AdmissionsGary Justice@upike.eduHPE Room 602(606) 218-5306
Director of Admissions JosephGannon@upike.eduHPE Room 601-C(606) 218-5287
Assistant Director of Admissions CheyenneHarlow@upike.edu HPE Room 603(606) 218-4455
Assistant Director of Admissions for CommunicationsDellaAbshire@upike.eduHPE Room 601-D(606) 218-5517
Office ManagerBarbaraMoore@upike.edu HPE Room 600-A(606) 218-5251
Data Entry SpecialistElijahrichardson@upike.eduHPE Room 600A(606) 218-5295
Director of Medical School AdmissionsMichaelKennedy@upike.eduHPE Room 601-A(606) 218-5257
Assistant Director of Medical School Admissions
MakenaMarkert@upike.eduHPE Room 601-B(606) 218-5524
Adm. Assistant of Med School Admissions
JenniferLockhart@upike.eduHPE Room 601-E(606) 218-5288
Admissions Counselor – Transfer and Dual Credit
AshleyJustice01@upike.eduHPE Room 603(606) 218-5285
Admissions CounselorMorgynDixon@upike.eduHPE Room 603(606) 218-5426
Admissions CounselorKarleaButcher@upike.eduHPE Room 603(606) 218-5010
Graduate Assistant
ZoeIngram@upike.edu(606) 218-5295
Q: Where is home?
A: Pikeville is home for me, graduating from Johns Creek High School.
Q: Where did you attend college?
A: Graduated from UPIKE in 1996, Bachelors of Business Administration and 2013, Masters of Business Administration.
Q: What is your favorite hobby?
A: My favorite hobby is golf. I played golf during my college days, then went years without playing, however when started showing interest I started playing again. Golf allows the opportunity to share a sport with my sons.
Q: What brought you to UPIKE?
A: I am a first generation student and needed financial assistance to attend college. UPIKE provided support programs and scholarships to help me achieve my dream of receiving a college diploma.
Q: What are your top three favorite movies?
A: Christmas Vacation, Any Baseball Movie, Anything with Will Ferrell starring in it.
Q: What is your favorite spot on campus?
A: Tough question, I enjoy several spots on campus, however the famous bridge going to the Armington Science Center.
Q: Who is the most famous person you have ever met?
A: Baseball Hall of Fame member, Willie Stargell
Q: Any advice for future Bears?
A: Participate in a variety of activities to increase knowledge, also take advantage of opportunities to volunteer.
A: I was born and raised in Pikeville, Kentucky.
A: I graduated from the University of Pikeville with a Bachelors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. I just finished with my Masters of Business Administration in May 2019.
A: Spending time with my wife and daughter and fishing.
A: I started my undergraduate degree here in 2010 and began working in July 2014 as an Admissions Counselor. The reason why I stayed was because of the tight-knit family atmosphere that you have here on campus. It is an atmosphere that you do not get anywhere else.
A: “The Goofy Movie” (I have been able to recite this movie since I was in elementary school), “Lone Survivor” and “O Brother Where Art Thou.”
A: Allara Courtyard during the spring semester!
A: Arnold Schwarzenegger. Well, I really didn’t officially meet him, but he did give me a high five.
A: Do not wish it away! Enjoy every minute while you are here and be involved! Also, utilize all the resources that UPIKE has to offer!
A: I was born and raised in Pikeville, Ky.
A: I graduated from UPIKE in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
A: My favorite hobby at the moment is exercising. Working out always boosts my mood and energy and is a fun way to spend time with my family and friends.
A: I transferred to UPIKE after my freshman year of college. After unexpectedly losing my dad, moving home to continue my education was the best decision for me. From this tragedy, I gained a new family on “the hill” and new opportunities.
A: My top two movies are “Life as We Know It” and “Crazy Rich Asians.” What can I say, I’m a sucker for a good romantic comedy.
Q What is your favorite spot on campus?
A: As a student, my favorite spot on campus was the Student Success Learning Lab. As a commuter, the lab was a great place for me to study, catch up on homework, meet with friends or relax between classes.
A: Get involved! Join as many clubs and organizations as you can. It’s a great way to meet new people and discover new opportunities! Go Bears!
A: I was born in Virginia. However, my parents lived in Kentucky, near the state line of Virginia. I have lived in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. At the age of thirteen, I finally came back to my hometown (Lick Creek) in Kentucky, and I have been here for the last 47 years, always working, learning, and living.
A: I received my Associate Degree, BBA, and MBA at the University of Pikeville. I worked full-time at UPIKE in the Admissions and Financial Aid Office while taking classes part-time. It took twelve years and was an opportunity that I am so grateful to have been given.
A: My favorite hobby is spending time with my family and watching my grandchildren grow, there is nothing better!
A: In 1997, I was given the opportunity to work, at what was then Pikeville College, and was able to help provide my children with a college education. I stayed because I love being a part of the UPIKE family! I feel that I have had a small part in helping students reach their educational goals.
A: I can’t say I have a favorite movie, but “It’s Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart ranks high. The message of the movie conveys that no matter who we are, we have an impact on someone else’s life, whether we realize it or not.
A: The top of the 99 steps. You can look out over our little city and see how much we have grown, and imagine what is still possible.
Q: Who is the most famous person you have met?
A: My dad was a WWII veteran. He wasn’t a “famous” man but spent six years in service to our country. He was 18 when he was stationed in Europe, and returned home after giving all he had to give in battle. His life was changed forever before he really began to live it. A great man in my eyes.
A: Always have a plan, and never hesitate when you need to ask questions!
A: I was born in Whitesburg, Kentucky, and I graduated from Whitesburg High School.
A: I am a first-generation college student. I graduated from the University of Pikeville, where I earned a degree in Business Administration. I have since continued my education here and now earned my Master of Business Administration in May 2017.
A: I love drawing, cooking, fishing, hiking and photography all year long. Most of all, I love doing all these things with my husband, Greg and our dog, Phoebe, that my husband and I rescued from the Pike County Animal shelter on Valentine’s day in 2014. Greg and I have been happily married for 31 years.
A: I came to the University of Pikeville in 2000. I began my career at UPIKE working with the Booth Scholars Program from 2000 until the program ended. Then I began working in the UPIKE Admissions office from 2010 to the present. I have always enjoyed working with the University of Pikeville faculty, staff and students. It has been so inspiring and rewarding working with both prospective and current students.
A: All “Harry Potter” movies (however, the Sorcerer’s Stone is my favorite), “Avatar” (I loved the amazing animation” and “Dances with Wolves” (I love Kevin Costner and all his movies).
A: I love the seventh-floor Pavilion in the Health Professions Education Building because it has an outstanding view of the city of Pikeville and I reminisce about how things have changed over the last 18 years that I have worked here.
A: The second time we took our students from the Booth Scholars program to Paris, France we were just touring the city and suddenly there was a big crowd gathering around the entrance to a hotel. We waited a few minutes and Mariah Carey pulled up and got out of her limo surrounded by bodyguards and I shook hands with her as she went into the hotel.
A: Go to class, get involved, make friends, learn from mistakes, be careful but have fun, strive for good grades and take advantage of resources on campus.
A: I was born in Orange Park Florida which was a very small transient Navy community bordered by 3 Naval Bases. I went to one elementary school, then middle school and high school with many of the same kids. The town grew as I grew and by the time I graduated there were 800 seniors in my graduating class.
A: I graduated from University of North Florida with a degree in Psychology and Public Health.
A: The older I get the more I enjoy time with my wife, family, and friends that I value like family. BEING ON MY MOTORCYCLE IS ALWAYS A BONUS.
A: I came to UPIKE in 2018. I was born and lived within a 50-mile radius in Florida my whole life. I am trying something out of my comfort zone and hoping to grow in a different direction at UPIKE.
A: Top movies for me would be All “Rocky” movies except five (it should be annulled), the first two “Terminator” movies (love the bike action in number two), “Love Actually” and “Wild Hogs” (honorable mention), it was made for men my age.
A: My favorite spot on campus would be anywhere that it is sunny and warm.
A: I worked in the sporting good industry for 10 years and had the chance to meet many famous people. The most famous was seven-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney. He was an hour late for an appearance so he and I hung out and talked for about 45 minutes. He said that he was late because he got hung up doing his leg workout, which I thought was pretty funny.
A: Meet people, ask questions, listen and think about what you have heard. God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.
A: Jamestown, North Carolina
A: I attended Kenyon College, a small liberal arts school in Gambier, Ohio.
A: This is tough! I enjoy cooking, listening to podcasts, working out, being in and around water, as well as spending time with my puppy, Zuri!
A: The opportunity to work alongside an incredible admissions team coupled with my significant others’ decision to attend medical school at UPIKE brought me here!
A: Hmmm… I really struggle to stay awake for many movies, but a couple of my favorites would have to be Crazy Rich Asians and Gone Girl.
A: Take advantage of the resources you have available to you! There are always people who are willing and eager to help.
A: Pikeville, Ky
A: I graduated from the University of Pikeville aka ‘Pikeville College’
A: Spending time with my family and watching sports.
A: I was looking for a job and this one brought me back to the same office I worked in soon after graduating college.
A: A few good men, Dirty Dancing, The Blind Side, and Maverick
A: Admissions office of course
Q: Who is the most famous person you have met? A: John Calipari
A: Never hesitate to ask questions and always be kind.
Home for me is Elkhorn City, KY. I was born in Danville, KY but moved here when I was young.
I graduated from UPIKE in 2020 with my Social Work and English degrees. I finished my Master of Social Work at UPIKE in August 2021.
I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy trivia/game nights, cooking, and watching movies together.
I transferred to UPIKE during my freshman year of college. I was attending a larger university about four hours from home, but I knew it wasn’t the right fit for me. I can’t imagine having went anywhere besides UPIKE.
I love watching movies, so this is a hard one for me, but I could watch these three on repeat: 10 Things I Hate About You, The Blind Side, and Mulan.
When I was a student here, I always loved hanging out in the Student Success Learning Lab. I commuted, so I would go there in between my classes. I got to meet a lot of great people, and I took some pretty good naps on the couch.
I didn’t meet her, but Charity Gayle (my favorite music artist) shared and commented on a Facebook post I made. I was on cloud nine.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
A: I was born and raised in Hazard, Ky
A: I graduated from the University of Pikeville in 2021 with a Biology degree. I also started the MBA program in the same year and completed my masters in 2022.
A: I enjoy being active, whether it’s getting a workout in or going for a hike. I also enjoy painting and spending time with my friends and family.
A: I came to UPIKE in 2017 as an undergraduate student. I was a first generation college student and didn’t have the first idea about what I was doing when it came to college. From the moment I stepped foot on campus I knew that this was going to be my home. It also helped that I could join the cheer team. I fell in love with everything about UPIKE and I haven’t looked back since I got here.
A: I am not a movie person, but I do watch series. My top 3 series would be Jane the Virgin, Vampire Diaries and Outer Banks.
A: My favorite spot would have to be the courtyard outside of the library. When the fountain is running and I close my eyes, it sounds like the creek running by my house and it takes me home for a moment.
A: Do the thing. Get involved and put yourself out there, you’ll find your people in college so don’t worry about that, but make those connections. I was quiet and to myself my freshman year and now I feel like I know everyone on campus everywhere I go.
A: Inez, KY
A: University of Pikeville
A: I enjoy working out and spending time with my friends and family.
A: At first it was the optometry program, but I grew to love it because of the family atmosphere.
Q: What are your top three favorite series?
A: Hart of Dixie, Grey’s anatomy, and Jane the virgin
A: The plaza
A: My advice for any future bears would be to build relationships on campus. It may seem intimidating at first, but everyone is there to help!
A: I was born and raised in Ashland, KY
A: I got my Bachelors of Business Administration at the University of Pikeville in 2022 and I am currently working on my Masters of Business Administration that I will finish up in 2023.
A: Taking walks with my chocolate labradoodle named Oakley and cooking with my mom.
A: UPIKE has always on my radar because my parents went to school and fell in love here on campus. However, being able to continue my softball career was also a big reason.
A: I love the ’99 and the history behind it. It also has a great view of the city.
A: Step out of your comfort zone. Go to that event, join the club, apply for that campus job, speak to the person who sits next to you in class, you never know where you might meet your best friend or what opportunities lie ahead. Without UPIKE, I wouldn’t be who I am today and it all started with me stepping out of my comfort zone.