For a group of Gatton seniors, their graduation also represents the culmination of a four-year Honors Pathway program created to connect their classroom learning with real-world application, professional development and community.
Existing as a partnership between the Lewis Honors College and the Gatton College of Business and Economics, Honors Pathways provide business students with a structured, cohort-based experience that combines academic study with experiential learning and industry engagement.
“The program offers more than just honors-level coursework,” said Ryessia Russell, director of Honors Pathways. “It’s an immersive experience that connects students with faculty, alumni and industry leaders while helping them develop as professionals and leaders.”
Honors Pathways are built directly into students’ business majors. Students choose from focused tracks—including Global Scholars, Social Entrepreneurship Scholars, and Scholars in Engineering and Management (SEAM)—each designed to connect business education to broader contexts such as global markets or cross-disciplinary problem-solving.
That structure allows students to deepen their academic experience while staying aligned with their career goals.
“It allows students to connect honors experiences directly to what they’re learning in their major,” Russell said. “That makes the work more relevant and more practical.”
Across all pathways, students complete a range of experiential learning opportunities, including internships, study abroad, research and community-based projects.
For Timika Scarlett, a senior accounting major in the Scholars in Engineering and Management (SEAM) pathway, those experiences started early.
“One of my most memorable experiences was interning at Deloitte during my freshman year—an opportunity that came directly from a connection I made in my first Honors Pathway class,” Scarlett said.
That kind of early exposure reflects a core goal of the program: helping students move from theory to application.
Through coursework and co-curricular programming, students are asked to take on projects that mirror professional work by developing strategies, analyzing problems and presenting recommendations.
“These experiences challenge students to apply business concepts in practical settings and think strategically about real problems,” Russell said.
While Gatton and the University of Kentucky offer a large campus experience, Honors Pathways are intentionally designed to create a smaller, more connected environment. Students move through the program as part of a cohort, taking classes together and building relationships that extend beyond the classroom.
“Being part of an Honors Pathway means being surrounded by driven, like-minded individuals,” Scarlett said. “It creates a built-in community that pushes you to think critically and hold yourself to a higher standard.”
For Matthew Lange, a senior majoring in finance and economics with a minor in international business in the Global Scholars pathway, that sense of community was immediate.
“I came to UK not knowing a single person,” Lange said. “Now I can’t walk to class without seeing a familiar face. It feels like a small family within a much larger community.”
Throughout the four-year experience, students engage directly with employers, alumni and community leaders through events, site visits and informal networking opportunities.
Those interactions help students better understand potential career paths while developing confidence in professional settings.
“Through networking events and conversations with industry professionals, I’ve become much more comfortable communicating in professional environments,” Lange said.
That confidence often translates into concrete outcomes.
Lange, for example, will begin a full-time role with JPMorgan Chase’s Leadership Development Program after graduation.
Students in the program regularly secure internships and full-time roles across industries, including finance, consulting, marketing, operations and entrepreneurship. Many also pursue graduate study in business, law and related fields.
While each pathway has a distinct focus, the program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in business.
For Scarlett, the SEAM pathway helped her connect technical and business thinking in real-world settings, including her internship experience in investment banking.
For Lange, the Global Scholars pathway reinforced his interest in international business and prepared him for professional environments through study abroad and direct engagement with industry leaders.
In each case, the goal is the same: helping students develop the ability to think critically, communicate effectively and adapt in professional environments.
“Students leave this program not just academically prepared, but ready to contribute right away,” Russell said.
As this year’s seniors complete the four-year program, Honors Pathways continue to evolve.
A new pathway—Future Leaders in Business and Ethics—will launch in fall 2026. Unlike existing pathways, it will be a two-year program, focused on ethical decision-making and leadership in complex business environments.
The addition reflects the program’s goal of adapting to student interests and industry needs while maintaining its focus on experiential learning and career preparation.
For students like Scarlett and Lange, the experience leaves a lasting impact.
“It prepares you to step into your career ready to think strategically, adapt when things change and contribute in a meaningful way,” Scarlett said.
