Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight Q&A with Alyssa Mertka Ollier, Chellow Class of 2016
Celebrating 20 Years! Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Alyssa Mertka Ollier, Chellow Class of 2016
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.
Alyssa Mertka Ollier, originally from Geneva, Illinois, pursued a degree in English at the University of Kentucky, where she also minored in History and Latin. Her involvement with the Chellgren Center began early in her undergraduate journey, and it ultimately taught her to be open to new experiences, even if they scared her. The Student Program gave her the tools to face the complexities and challenges that come with pursuing an advanced degree and beginning a career. The professional skills she learned through Chellgren have helped her apply to graduate school, ace job interviews, and network successfully both inside and outside of her field. Persevering in undergraduate research even when it was difficult gave her confidence and determination, both of which were indispensable during the pandemic and her subsequent career pivot.
Why did you choose to attend the University of Kentucky, and how did you first get connected with the Chellgren Center?
Funnily enough, UK wasn’t initially on my radar when I was looking at colleges. I was primarily looking at smaller private schools closer to home, and I was still figuring out my vocation. But when I was named a National Merit Scholar, suddenly a host of new possibilities opened up. Several schools, including UK, had scholarships specifically for National Merit Scholars. I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Patterson Scholarship at UK, and that helped me make the decision to become a Wildcat.
At first, I was intimidated by attending such a large state school far from home, but I quickly made friends and got involved with various organizations on campus. I probably heard about the Chellgren Center from someone at the Lewis Honors College (then known simply as the “Honors Program”). I do remember attending an information session about the Chellgren Fellowship the spring semester of my freshman year and deciding to apply.
What was your involvement with the Chellgren Center during your time at UK?
I was part of the 2016-2017 class of Chellgren Fellows. I tried to make the most of my time in the fellowship, from exploring potential future career paths, to befriending my fellow “Chellows,” to getting involved in undergraduate research. Some of my favorite memories include presenting my research at the Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars and visiting the Speed Art Museum. The Chellgren Center overlapped and intersected with many of my other activities at UK, including the Gaines Fellowship for the Humanities, the Lewis Honors College, and the Oswald Research and Creativity Competition, to form a diverse and enriching undergraduate experience.
How did that experience enrich your undergraduate years?
My undergraduate research experience was my first foray into what is now my career. As an English major, I never thought that undergraduate research would be part of my academic journey–my concept of research mostly consisted of students in white lab coats performing experiments. However, my advisor at the time helped me find an English professor, Dr. Matthew Giancarlo, who was looking for help with one of his research projects. Using my knowledge of Latin and newfound interest in rare books and manuscripts, I helped him transcribe and translate medieval manuscripts on a host of topics, from alchemy to cosmography. Working with those documents fueled my interest in manuscript studies, which led to an internship with the Special Collections Research Center Learning Lab and ultimately my current career. My undergraduate research experience, facilitated through the Chellgren Fellowship, was truly the turning point in my academic trajectory, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
What have you been up to since graduation, and how did that path unfold?
My time as an intern in the Special Collections Research Center Learning Lab gave me more practical experience with archival collections and rare books and solidified my desire to become a special collections librarian or archivist. My mentors at the SCRC and the Learning Lab, particularly Carol Street, helped me apply to master’s programs in library science. I enrolled in the MLS program at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana in the fall of 2019. That first semester was a dream come true–I had access to the world-class Lilly Library and its stellar collections, IU Bloomington’s beautiful campus, and a great cohort of fellow students and professors.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived shortly after I began my second semester, which radically altered my experience. When I began my program, I had planned on becoming a special collections librarian at a university or other large institution. But when my education became primarily virtual, I began to develop a different skill set. Suddenly I was learning more about digital humanities, archival digitization, and virtual reference services. When I moved back to Kentucky after graduating with my MLS, I was able to use these newfound skills to apply for my current role as the Digital Archivist at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort, Kentucky. I spend my time at KHS managing our archival digitization program, making our archives accessible via our Digital Collections, and assisting researchers around the world.
What advice would you give to an undergraduate student considering getting involved with the Chellgren Center?
The Chellgren Center can be beneficial to any student, regardless of your major, interests, or desired career. Undergraduate research can take many forms–you just need a little creativity and the support of a good mentor or professor. Finally, be flexible! You never know where your path may lead you.
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/.