Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight Q&A with Nicole Blackstone, Chellow Class of 2018
Celebrating 20 Years! Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Nicole Blackstone, 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.
Nicole Blackstone’s journey from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, to her current role in Washington, D.C., is rooted in a lifelong connection to the University of Kentucky and a deep commitment to serving others. A Political Science and Sociology major and Otis A. Singletary Scholar, she immersed herself in opportunities that matched her curiosity and drive, including her introduction to the Chellgren Center through her advisor and the Lewis Honors College. As a Chellgren Fellow, she found intellectual challenges and a community of like‑minded peers that shaped her academic confidence and continues to influence her life today.
Why did you choose to attend the University of Kentucky, and how did you first get connected with the Chellgren Center?
As a lifelong Kentuckian and member of a family who never missed an opportunity to cheer for the Wildcats, the University of Kentucky feels like it has always been in my blood. Then, in middle school, I learned about the opportunity for an academic full- ride, the Otis A. Singletary scholarship, and it became almost tunnel vision for me. I was blessed to earn the honor, and I have been thankful for it since I set foot on campus in 2017. I was first connected to the Chellgren Center that year through my academic advisor, Stacy Farr, who remains one of the most memorable people on my UK journey, and then learned more about the program from my participation in the Lewis Honors College. Stacy realized quickly that I wanted to make the most out of my time at Kentucky and wanted to help me satiate my desire to learn and grow, so of course the Chellgren fellowship was one of the first opportunities she presented to me!
What was your involvement with the Chellgren Center during your time at UK?
I was a Chellgren Fellow my sophomore year and then routinely leaned on the Center for the remainder of undergrad as I navigated other fellowships, applied for nationally competitive awards, and planned for my life after graduation.
How did that experience enrich your undergraduate years?
The Chellgren Fellowship was the first opportunity I had at UK to really be the master of my academic pursuits. Through the seminar, I gained friendships that not only challenged me intellectually but allowed me to surround myself with people who had a similar curiosity about them, and who were just genuinely good people looking to make a positive impact in some way. With the research project, I was able to pick the minds of faculty from fields very different from mine and explore diverse avenues of thinking without the pressure of a traditional classroom, which ultimately led to me becoming a much more adventurous student in my core area classes, and an innovator in my professional life.
What have you been up to since graduation, and how did that path unfold?
In my professional life, I graduated in May 2021 and, to no one’s surprise, moved to Washington, DC less than a month later. I attended George Washington University and received my master’s degree in Legislative Affairs in May 2024. During the pandemic, I worked at a bridal studio in the area before taking a job at a non- profit that serves military families. I then transitioned to a DC- based consulting firm working on vaccine policy in Tennessee, Florida, and Arizona for the last year of the pandemic, before accepting my current job. I now work as the Grassroots and Policy Manager for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Association, where I advocate for the federal workforce, annuitants, and their families. As for how all of that unfolded, my best explanation is that I never lost sight of who I am and what I want to do with my life, which is to be someone remembered for the work they do for others, so even when I was in roles that did not make me feel like I was successful, I could always remind myself that what I was doing mattered to at least one person.
On a more personal note, since graduation I have adopted my dog Nova, a smart Australian Shepherd who loves fetch, I captain a recreation softball team, I caught the DIY bug and have designed jerseys, hats, shirts, phone cases, and more for my friends, and I travel as often as I can with my partner, Daniel.
In what ways did your Chellgren experience prepare you for where you are now?
Since graduating from Kentucky, I would categorize this chapter of my life as one that requires flexibility, the ability to think outside of the box, and a willingness to ask for help. In the Chellgren fellowship, I developed those skills intellectually in a rather controlled environment, which has translated to me managing the chaos of life in DC at least a little better than I would have otherwise!
What advice would you give to an undergraduate student considering getting involved with the Chellgren Center?
I would tell them that nothing extraordinary ever came from sitting on the sidelines. I am a firm believer that the difference between people who find their own success versus people who do not is the belief that regret is scarier than failure. So if they are looking for an outlet for their hunger to learn, a place where their desire to question the world is encouraged, and a support system for their academic pursuits, then the Chellgren Center is the place for them, and they should push past any discomfort or worry of not being “good enough,” and reach out!
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/.