This past May term, Transylvania University turned local government chambers, historic sites and regional attractions into dynamic classrooms, giving students direct access to professionals and real-world applications in fields such as accounting, history and sports management.
Melissa Mattox’s Governmental Accounting students visited the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s Council Chamber to meet officials who explained how the budget is shaped by the input of area residents — and how it evolves as needs change throughout the year.
Commissioner of Finance Erin Hensley emphasized to the class that being a good accountant isn’t enough. They must also be a strong communicator and teacher because the field touches every role in an organization, many held by people without accounting backgrounds.
That’s where their liberal arts background will pay off. “It’s meaningful to me to know our students are being given that step-up in their field by developing writing, thinking and speaking skills in all of their courses here,” Mattox ’07 said.
She also noted how the visits, along with guest speakers like the state controller, help Pioneers see how their skills could be applied to broader public service. “Students were able to explore how our government operates and how their accounting skills fit into a much bigger picture.”
Recent grad Sierra Kemelgor said the community-centered learning in her Governmental Accounting class showed how education isn’t confined to campus. “Local travel transforms learning from something abstract into something personal.”
Students in professor Hannah Alms’ The Bluegrass Past course examined how history is preserved and presented outside the classroom. They visited sites such as the African Cemetery No. 2 (top photo), the Lexington History Museum, Camp Nelson National Monument, McConnell Springs, the South Hill neighborhood and the Fayette County Clerk’s Digital Access Project.
At the cemetery, founded in 1869 and maintained by volunteers, board members Yvonne Giles and Mark Coyne taught students proper gravestone cleaning techniques for the new women’s history tour. Students then applied the methods themselves. At the clerk’s office, Deputy County Clerk Shea Brown guided them through historical records — from archival documents related to slavery to marriage certificates to the purchase of land for Transylvania’s founding.
“These visits demonstrated to students how history is alive, how they can be involved in history in the community and what career paths exist in the field of public history,” Alms said. “The course took Kentucky history off the page and into the real world, where decisions about signs, buildings, artwork and other factors shape how we understand the past.”
Caroline Host ’26 said going into the community to learn made The Bluegrass Past her favorite May term class. “Between walking tours, looking through archives, cleaning headstones and going to national monuments, I was able to connect to the Lexington community, and the state as a whole, in such a new and memorable way,” she added. “It was wonderful being introduced to new opportunities in and around Lexington, and even more special to be able to meet so many people in our community — all so we could connect it back to the rich history and culture this state has to offer.”
Additionally, the Sports Facilities and Event Management class taught by professor Marion Hambrick ’95 got a behind-the-scenes experience working at Lexington Legends Stadium, as they did last year, managing game-day operations including ticket sales, sponsorships and marketing. They traveled to Cincinnati as well, accompanied by Business Technologies students for a tour of Great American Ball Park facilities and a Reds game. There, they met Erin Lageman ’04, the team’s vice president of people and culture.
Five professors teaching May term courses also traveled to Cincinnati, joining the Lula Morton Drewes Center for a visit to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
These immersive experiences exemplify how May term encourages students to move from theory to practice, exploring careers and strengthening ties to area residents.
Governmental Accounting student Nora Reader ’27 noted that going out into the real world can make learning more meaningful. “Engaging with the local community helps connect course concepts to real situations, giving students a deeper understanding of how their education applies beyond campus and preparing them for future careers.”