Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight Q&A with Hannah Thomas, Chellow Class of 2018
Celebrating 20 Years! Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Hannah Thomas, Chellow Class of 2018
The Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence is celebrating the 20th class of Chellgren Student Fellows by hosting an All-Class Reunion in October 2026 to celebrate! In honor of 20 years, we are highlighting alumni from the program by sharing where they are now and reflecting on their time as Chellgren Student Fellows.
Hannah Thomas, originally from Nashville, completed a dual degree in Health, Society & Populations and Biology. One of the reasons Thomas chose to go to UK was that she liked the science and research opportunities associated with a medical college on campus. As a Fulbright recipient, she was able to make medical connections that would help her throughout her medical journey. Thomas completed a gap year as an AmeriCorps VISTA, where she worked with the financial nonprofit StreetCred at Boston Medical Center. She then went to medical school at UTHSC, where she will graduate this May. Thomas also recently finished interviews for Family Medicine residency and will find out where she matches soon.
Why did you choose to attend the University of Kentucky, and how did you first get connected with the Chellgren Center?
I chose UK because it wasn’t too far from home but still somewhere new and I liked all the science and research opportunities associated with a large school that had a medical school on campus. The scholarship money didn’t hurt either. A professor talked about the Chellgren center and I knew some upperclassmen that had been involved so I went to an info session and thought it could be a good fit.
How did that experience enrich your undergraduate years?
It helped me dream a little bigger, expand my comfort zone, and receive mentorship from some wonderful faculty.
What have you been up to since graduation, and how did that path unfold?
I completed a gap year as an AmeriCorps VISTA where I worked with the financial nonprofit StreetCred at Boston Medical Center. I then went to medical school at UTHSC where I will graduate from this May! I recently finished interviews for Family Medicine residency and will find out where I matched soon.
In what ways did your Chellgren experience prepare you for where you are now?
Being a part of the summer Fulbright opportunity that Chellgren pushed me towards helped me make connections and helped me with the medical school journey. I think Chellgren also opened my mind to things outside of a traditional career path such as AmeriCorps and set the groundwork for me to view the opportunities available to me differently.
What advice would you give to an undergraduate student considering getting involved with the Chellgren Center?
I think it’s definitely worth considering! It’s always helpful to have more mentors in your corner, guidance on applications to different opportunities, and connections to various resources at UK.
About the Chellgren Center Student Fellows Program
The Chellgren Center Student Fellows Program is designed for second-year students. This program provides experiences that go beyond the classroom. Through the Chellgren Center programming, you will gain many experiences that will help you get a head start on your career and inspire your goals. You get to experience faculty-mentored research, career advising, professional development, and so much more. You will collaborate with students, mentors, faculty, and staff.
The Chellgren Center began in 2005 with a generous gift from Mr. Paul W. Chellgren and his family, which was matched by the state to create a $4.5 million endowment. The center aims to foster undergraduate excellence through programs like the Chellgren Student Fellows program and by inspiring innovation in teaching and learning, aligning with Chellgren’s vision to enrich the lives of students and faculty. The first class of Chellgren Student Fellows began in the fall of 2007 when Dr. Philip Harling became the director of the student program and the first endowed chair of the center. We have seen many changes over the years, including the growth of the student program, financial assistance to undergraduates traveling to conferences or performing research, annual trips for the Chellgren Student Fellows, and the restructuring of one of our faculty programs. For more information on the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence, visit our website: https://chellgren.uky.edu/.