Alayna Jacobs, Ph.D. candidate in the IPSS program with Dr. Rebecca McCulley, received a UK Women's Club Fellowship. 

"I am honored to accept this fellowship from the UK Woman’s Club. I plan to use the financial award to assist with childcare costs for my daughter, Ellery, while I finish my Ph.D. program. This year has been challenging for everyone, and I will never forget completing final exams online last March at home while Ellery and our babysitter played in the other room. I am grateful for the encouragement of my family and especially my husband, Bryan. I am thankful for the excellent support of my advisor, Dr. Rebecca McCulley, who was instrumental in helping me transition from full-time work at USDA to a graduate program on her outstanding team. I appreciate all of the help from Jim Nelson, Elizabeth Carlisle, and Dr. Steve McBride in the McCulley Lab. I am fortunate to work in the field of agroecology and to use my past career experience to assist other students, especially women, in pursuing rewarding careers in agriculture."

-Alayna Jacobs, IPSS Ph.D. Candidate