By Joy Priest

After the overwhelming appeal of freshman year has worn off, some college student may ask themselves what they’re going to do after graduation.

The Graduate and Professional School Showcase on Wednesday can help students find the answer to this question. The showcase will be in the Student Center Grand Ballroom and the Office of Institutional Diversity, the UK Graduate School and the James W. Stuckert Career Center will present it.

“The point of the Graduate and Professional School Showcase is to bring a variety of options and opportunities to UK students,” said Miranda Martin-Scully, the showcase’s coordinator.

The showcase got its start in 2005 from the Graduate School with former Associate Dean Kwaku Addo and also as an initiative of Rhonda Webb, sophomore counselor in the Center for Academic Resources and Enrichment Services.

“It was an opportunity for the Graduate School to tap the potential pool of underrepresented minorities on campus and also was an opportunity for the CARES staff to help assist in retention,” said Anna Allen-Edwards, director of Multicultural Affairs within the Graduate School.

The showcase aims to increase enrollment of UK undergraduates directly into these graduate programs.

The difference in the Graduate and Professional School Showcase and other showcases like it, is this event invites other schools within the state besides UK to showcase their programs.

“When the showcase first started it only showcased UK programs, but since then it has grown into other programs within the state as well as out of the state,” Martin-Scully said. “Some of the premiere schools that participate in the showcase include Xavier University, Purdue, Middle Tennessee State University, Ohio State and University of Louisville.”

In total the showcase features 55 colleges, programs or departments from five states including private and regional colleges from Kentucky. Program planners ensure there will be something there for every type of student.

Simone Heath, a landscape architecture senior, has gone every year and plans on attending this year. She plans on continuing her field of study with urban planning or an environmental occupation.

“Previously the showcase has had a lot of option dealing with the environment that I hadn’t thought of before I attended, but as a result have since then looked into,” Heath said.

Under the leadership of Martin-Scully offerings to participate have increased, according to the Masters of Business Administration program.

Highlights of the showcase this year will include Kaplan raffling off a discounted or free course for any college entrance exam to help undergraduates prepare for their post-graduation path.

Martin-Scully encourages students to attend because of the distinctness of this program.

“It is rare to go to one university that introduces you to many others,” she said. “It shows a vested interest in students’ education independent of UK, and that is definitely something students should take advantage of.”

The Graduate and Professional School Showcase will be Wednesday in the Student Center Grand Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students of all majors and backgrounds are welcome.