Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight Q&A with Elizabeth Caudill, Chellow Class of 2017
Celebrating 20 Years! Chellgren Student Fellow Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Elizabeth Caudill, Chellow Class of 2017
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.
Elizabeth Caudill, originally from Maysville, Kentucky, majored in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics. The Chellgren Center’s overall culture and attitude toward pursuing national awards and achieving ambitious goals gave her the confidence to apply to the best schools and residency programs. She is currently a PGY-2 Emergency Medicine pharmacy resident at Brigham and accepted a position there after Residency.
1. 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 I was from Kentucky, grew up a UK sports fan, and knew I could get a good education at UK. I first heard of the Chellgren Center and Chellows at a recruitment event my freshman year where I got to talk to current Chellows and hear about their experience in the program.
2. What was your involvement with the Chellgren Center during your time at UK?
I was a 2017 Chellow. I attended field trips (i.e., Speed Art Museum, touring small businesses in Lexington) and educational events and coffee chats (i.e., what changes will come with AI and self-driving cars? An almost novel concept 6 years ago).
3. How did that experience enrich your undergraduate years? In what ways did your Chellgren experience prepare you for where you are now?
I appreciated the many opportunities this program provided me, and I'm especially grateful for the guidance I received in helping me to begin working on research. That experience resulted in me co-authoring a publication before graduation.
4. What have you been up to since graduation, and how did that path unfold?
I attended the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy, the highest-ranked pharmacy school in the country. I graduated in 2024 and began my residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. I'm currently a PGY-2 Emergency Medicine pharmacy resident at Brigham and accepted a position here after Residency.
5. What advice would you give to an undergraduate student considering getting involved with the Chellgren Center?
Do it! It's an amazing program that provides you with enrichment opportunities and support from great faculty and staff.
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/.