Move Mountains
EDUCATION THAT elevates
At UPIKE, we’re all about empowering you to rise to the challenge.
HERE, YOU’LL FIND RESOURCES that clear the path, learning that lifts you higher, and a campus culture that encourages you to climb to the top of your potential. And it’s all happening in the heart of Central Appalachia.
We believe that grit, determination, and a shared commitment to overcoming obstacles can transform lives and communities. Let’s start with yours.
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Start your climb— VISIT TODAY!
“UPIKE has given me so much more than an education; it’s given me a community and a sense of purpose.”
MATTIE CRUM, ’27 Psychology
14:1 #1 100% 33% 98%
Safest College Campus in Kentucky (Niche, 2024)
Student-To-Faculty Ratio Ensures 1-On-1 Support
of Class of 2023 Undergrads
Found Full-Time Employment or Enrolled in Graduate Programs Within One Year After Graduation of Students are First-Generation College Students of Undergraduate Students Receive Financial Aid
Degrees THAT GO TO WORK
AT UPIKE, we believe in education that both enriches your mind and prepares you for a profession. Our liberal arts foundation and commitment to graduating students who are career-ready shape the everyday learning experiences on our campus.
Here, you won’t just learn in order to write the paper or pass the test. You’ll grow into a professional who is both intellectual and practical, reflective and forward-thinking, innovative and impactful.
UPIKE offers 35 majors and programs across a multitude of disciplines and career paths.
Where will your climb begin?
MAJORS
BUSINESS
• Accounting
• Information Technology Management
• Management
HUMANITIES
• English
• Film and Media Arts
• History
• Performing Arts in Music
• Religious Studies
MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL SCIENCES
• Biology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Medical Humanities
NURSING AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Nursing
• RN-BSN
• Social Work
SOCIAL SCIENCES
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Health and Human Performance
• History and Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
EDUCATION
• Elementary Education
• Middle Grade Education
• Music Education
• Secondary Education
MINORS
HUMANITIES
• Art
• English
• Film and Media Studies
• Music
• Religious Studies
• Theatre
• World Language and Culture Studies
MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL SCIENCES
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Data Science
• Mathematics
SOCIAL SCIENCES
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Global Health
• Health and Human Performance
• History
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)
• Psychology
• Sociology
BUSINESS
• Business Administration
• Entrepreneurship
• Management
NURSING AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Nursing
• Social Work
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
• Career Communication
• Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Preventative Control
• Digital Communication
• Digital Skills for the Workplace
• Interpersonal Skills for Professionals
• Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Political and Civic Engagement
• Spanish for the Workplace
• Strategic Organizational Leadership
• Women and Gender Studies
• Women and Leadership – Empowering Leaders
GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Science in Information Technology Management
• Master of Science in Legal Studies
• Master of Science in Strategic Communication
• Master of Social Work
• Doctor of Dental Medicine*
• Doctor of Optometry
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
• Teacher Leader Program
*pending accreditation
THIS IS WHERE you rise
COLLEGE IS A BIG TRANSITION, so it’s a good thing we’re all about equipping you to move mountains. At UPIKE, we help first-year students to find their place and build their purpose through a series of programs designed just for them.
GROWL
New students will attend a GROWL session on campus (also available online). Bring your family and spend the day getting to know new and current students, meeting faculty and your advisor, and getting familiar with your new home.
Upward, together.
UPIKE Bears begin their college journey with a collective trip up “the 99.”
UPIKE First Week
Move into your residence hall, toward your future, and closer to your dreams! Just before classes begin in the fall, UPIKE First Week welcomes students with five days packed with everything from academic orientation to athletics and service projects to a street fair.
The Climb
Get your camera ready for the signature event of UPIKE First Week! During this special annual ceremony, the president and members of the UPIKE community will lead all first-year students in climbing “The 99” to signify the beginning of your UPIKE journey. When graduation day comes, you’ll walk down the same steps toward your mountain-moving future as a Bear alumni.
First-Year Seminar
All first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 15 credit hours are enrolled in a First-Year Seminar class that provides comprehensive guidance for students transitioning into college life. The seminar will also teach you about all of the resources available to you as a UPIKE student, setting you up to climb toward success.
IT’S Your Time TO CLIMB
AT UPIKE, we know that each student has their own history, needs and goals. That’s why we’ve established programs and pathways designed to support each and every Bear in making their climb.
Learning with Earning in Mind
Curious about dual credit? UPIKE offers dual credit classes and accepts transcripts for some dual credit courses taken elsewhere. Students can receive a dual credit scholarship when they complete five or more dual credit hours and earn a ‘B’ average or better.
Wondering if your personality and professional interests fit into the workforce? The Center for Career, Vocation and Leadership helps each student understand their skills and how they can lead to future success.
Ready to get your degree so you can get to work? UPIKE’s flexible, accelerated pathways allow students to complete both an undergraduate and master’s degree in just four years.
“UPIKE is a special place that empowers us to pursue our dreams. No matter where I go in the future, I hope the UPIKE family knows we are happy to represent them. I only regret the chances I didn’t take and I’m grateful I took a chance on UPIKE.”
CARLY CROOKS ‘26 Biomedical Sciences Major
Every student has access to a range of support resources, including:
• Center for Academic Excellence
• Center for Student Success
• Disability Resource Center
• International Student Services
• Office of Career, Vocation and Leadership
• Office of Infinite Worth
• Personal Academic Advising
• Thrive Counseling Center
• Tutoring
• Writing Center Tools for the Trek
Supporting Your Steps
The ACE (Academic and Cultural Enrichment) Program provides comprehensive support to select students from orientation to graduation. A federallyfunded TRIO program focused on the success of first-generation students, ACE helps students thrive academically while preparing for flourishing careers and financial wellbeing.
EDUCATION THAT employs
UPIKE IS HERE to nurture your dreams, challenge you to rise high and prepare you for an innovative career. Our graduates are making a positive impact as leaders who serve with grit and lead with integrity in Appalachia and around the world.
The list of employers and graduate programs that have welcomed UPIKE graduates stands mountain high and includes: of Class of 2023 undergrads found full-time employment or enrolled in graduate programs within one year after graduation 100%
• Appalachian College of Pharmacy
• Appalachian Hospice Care
• Appalachian News-Express
• CBS
• Community Trust Bank
• DePaul University College of Law
• East Kentucky Broadcasting
• Edward Jones Investments
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Girl Scouts of the United States of America
• Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
• Louisville Metro Police
• Meade County Rural Electric Cooperative
• Pike County Tourism Commission
• Pikeville Medical Center
• PriceWaterhouseCooper
• Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR)
• Summit Engineering Inc.
• University of Kentucky College of Law
• University of Louisville, School of Dentistry and School of Medicine
• U.S. Government
• YMCA
STRENGTHENING AND Serving APPALACHIA
BEARS BELIEVE in, belong to and are building the future of Appalachia. From discoveries in the classroom to hands-on service projects through the community, UPIKE students aren’t just moving mountains for themselves—they’re breaking ground for a brighter future.
We Do Revolutionary Research
UPIKE students are forging pathways across the arts and sciences and throughout the marketplace. Take a look at some of the many projects Bears are stepping into:
Innovating new processes for sustainable farming, the production of life-saving medications and treating memory-related disorders.
Exploring the spiritual needs and practices of unhoused individuals in Eastern Kentucky for greater insight into effective resources.
Discovering how healthcare and the humanities can work together toward more holistic patient care.
Studying folk religious practices to better understand patterns of communal belonging in Central Appalachia.
Bears Give Back
Service is a core value at UPIKE—both in how we treat our students and in how we empower students to care for others.
The week before classes begin, our first-year students participate in Service Day, setting out across the region to volunteer in local shelters, nursing homes, churches and more.
The Office of Spiritual Life facilitates mission trips during fall, winter, spring and summer breaks in addition to volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
UPIKE supports a variety of community partnerships that lift up underrepresented voices, support childhood wellbeing and equip the next generation of Appalachian leaders.
Adventures ALL AROUND
THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE extends far beyond the classroom—it’s all of the friendships formed, experiences enjoyed and memories made, too.
From kayaking to hiking and boating to zip-lining, Pikeville’s outdoor opportunities are nearly endless. Go rafting in 16 miles of free-flowing whitewater or take a trip to the “Grand Canyon of the South” just 35 miles away in Breaks Interstate Park. Wherever your journey takes you, you’re sure to love the view.
YOUR GUIDE TO Pikeville
Whitewater Rafting
Camping Water Skiing Boating Mountain Biking
Housing
All full-time undergraduate students* live in UPIKE residence halls where Resident Assistants ensure that all students are supported (and having fun!).
*Exceptions include students who are 23 years of age or older, commuters or married.
Dining
Whether you’re snagging a snack before class or meeting friends for a meal, UPIKE’s dining options including favorites like Chickfil-A and Starbucks—have you covered. Make sure you check out City View Café, Food Lab, and Table 99.
ACTIVE. Authentic. ACHIEVING.
THAT’S HOW STUDENTS DESCRIBE THE CAMPUS LIFE experience at UPIKE. In residence halls, clubs, organizations and more, Bears build friendships that last a lifetime.
Gatherings
The Office of Student Activities and Center for Student Success collaborate several times each year to serve comfort food during What’s Up Wednesday, a shared meal that fosters community and conversation about the struggles students are facing.
Fun & Activities
Aspiring leaders and students who love to make a plan might find their fit in the UPIKE Student Leadership Council (SLC).
If you love the outdoors and a little friendly competition, the Intramural and Outdoor Recreation community has everything you’re looking for.
“I was given a home away from home and a family on this hill that cared for me just as much as my family 2,000 miles away cares for me.”
HUNTER CLEWIS, ’22 | Corona, California
WHERE BEARS belong
• Bear Bible Study
• Biomedical Sciences Club
• Black Student Union
• Campus Activities Board
• Campus for Change
• Clean Paws
• Communications Club
• Criminal Justice Club
• English Club
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Film and Media Arts Club
• Fishing Club
• Honest Athletes
• Honors Societies
• Information Technology Club
• Intramural Sports
• Kentucky Education AssociationStudent Program
• Pre-Professional Health Club
• Pride+
• STEM Club
• Student Leadership Council
• Student Social Work Association
• Theatre Club
• Psi Chi
BUILT FOR the Climb
AT UPIKE, ATHLETICS ARE MORE THAN AN ACTIVITY —they’re how many students find their why.
As Bears band together to work and win in their sports through the Appalachian Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, they grow in character, relationships and a sense of purpose that will stay with them long after graduation.
Eager to cheer on the Bears? Every UPIKE student receives free admission to all home games!
26 VARSITY TEAMS WOMEN
• Basketball
• Bowling
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball MEN
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Bowling
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Wrestling CO-ED
• Archery
• Bass Fishing
• Cheer
• Dance
• Esports
WE CLEAR THE PATH. YOU MAKE the Climb.
UPIKE is committed to affordable paths to excellent education. How do we do it? We:
ELIMINATE HIDDEN COSTS so that you can elevate your future. That means no fees for parking, technology, laundry or tutoring.
PROVIDE FREE TEXTBOOKS. Skip the sticker shock and get straight to studying.
AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS THAT STACK HIGH. Students can receive academic, athletic and activity scholarships in addition to supplemental scholarships.
KEEP THE UPIKE PLEDGE. This award covers the remaining cost of tuition after other funding has been applied.
“Without the UPIKE Pledge scholarship, I honestly don’t know if I would be in school. I couldn’t imagine not being a UPIKE Bear.”
JAMI YOUNG,
‘21 History & Political Science and Communication
SEE ON SOCIAL. Follow the Bear tracks to UPIKE on Facebook or @upike_bears on Instagram.
SCHEDULE A VISIT. Call or email our Admissions Office at (606) 218-5251 or wewantyou@upike.edu.
APPLY TODAY. Ready to become a Bear? Visit upike.edu/apply to start your application—and remember, it’s free.
We can’t wait to welcome you to campus!
Your first step toward the top.
“UPIKE is a place where I can be a whole person, where I can be challenged while still feeling at home.”
ZOE HOWARD,
’27
Performing Arts Major
