LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 24, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics hosted its third annual Gatton Global Week Sept. 14-17, connecting students with education abroad programs, international perspectives and global career opportunities.
The four-day event included student and employer panels, interactive programs, advising sessions and workshops designed to help students explore international experiences and understand how global skills apply in the workplace.
Students heard directly from peers who recently studied abroad during the Know Before You Go student panel. Gatton GlobalFest introduced students to faculty-directed programs, exchange opportunities and the Gatton Global Leadership Experience in Rome. Gatton Across Borders gave participants an opportunity to learn about cultures and destinations from faculty and students.
Global Week also connected international experiences to career preparation. During Careers and Cane’s: Global Business Edition, professionals from internationally connected companies discussed working across borders, collaborating with global teams and adapting to different workplace cultures.
Panelists included Jason Givens, Enterprise Mobility, talent development manager; Charis Woodall, Big Ass Fans, general manager; Bradanne Toney, PwC, senior audit manager; Aaron Shapiro, MiddleGround Capital, head of global tax.
A career-readiness workshop helped students learn how to communicate the skills developed through international experiences in interviews, networking conversations and job applications. Education abroad information sessions and drop-in advising offered additional guidance on program selection, academic credit, costs, financial aid and scholarships.
“The goal of Gatton Global Week is to spotlight international education opportunities and highlight the value of building global experience for a career in business,” said Katherine Hale, director of Gatton global initiatives. “Gatton College has the largest faculty-led study abroad program offering on campus, and there are numerous other program options through our partner universities and organizations. While our participation rate has been growing significantly in recent years, I would love to see even more Gatton College students choosing to participate in these transformative international experiences in the coming years.”
Students who participated in Global Week events were entered into a drawing for three $1,000 education abroad scholarships. This year’s recipients were two sophomore finance majors and one senior accounting major. The selected students have been notified.
The week also featured a student photo contest celebrating recent international experiences. Gatton students selected three winning photographs, with each winner receiving $50. The winners were Megan Mazza, whose photo was taken in Switzerland; Margaret Weber, whose photo was taken in Peru; and Isabella Heady, whose photo was taken in Slovenia.
