Richmond Students Find Opportunity at Home at EKU

From current students to thousands of alumni, EKU’s roots in Madison County span generations.

For students from Madison County, like Mollie Neeley, Chase Shackleford and Kylah DeVore, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is more than a university in their hometown. It is a place where they can pursue their goals, create connections and make a difference in the community they call home. 

“For EKU, Richmond is home, and our connection to the Madison County community runs deep,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “Generations of students from this community have come to EKU to launch their careers, and many go on to strengthen this very community. Our role is to provide opportunity for students while helping build a stronger Kentucky.”

Nearly 2,000 EKU students call Madison County home, representing around 15% of EKU’s Kentucky student population. In Fall 2025, 40% of EKU students from Madison County were first-generation college students. Financial aid has helped make college possible for many local students, with 64% receiving more than $6.5 million in aid last year. Madison County is also home to more EKU alumni than any other Kentucky county.

“The community around EKU is what made me decide to go here,” said Neeley, a freshman pre-communication disorders major from Richmond. “I think that all of the people around EKU are a close family brought together by the sense of togetherness and overwhelming sense of community. Even in my own town, I feel so welcomed by everyone around campus and also around town.”

Neeley has found that community in places such as Powell Plaza, where students gather to study, spend time with friends and take part in campus events. Academic resources such as tutoring and a first-year course have also helped her adjust to college and stay on track as she works toward her goal of becoming a teacher.

“I have always had a passion for helping others. One of my biggest dreams in life was to be a teacher and now I am striving to be the best speech teacher I can be for kids,” said Neeley. “I hope to help them as much as I can and teach them all I know. And I am sure they will teach me a lot as well.”

Shackleford, a junior engineering technology management major from Richmond, saw firsthand the impact EKU had on his community while growing up, and that made a lasting impression on him. 

“When choosing a college, I knew EKU cared about my community,” said Shackleford. “It gave me a great feeling, knowing I could stay close to home at a university that had a positive impact on my community. That connection made choosing EKU feel like more than just a college choice. It felt like continuing something that had already been a part of my life.”

At EKU, Shackleford is gaining hands-on experience through internships and connections with industry partners while building relationships with professors and other students. His concentration in manufacturing allows him to combine his interest in solving problems with practical applications. 

“Kentucky has many manufacturing and engineering opportunities, and I think there’s a real need for people who understand both the technical and management sides,” said Shackleford. “I want to use my learning to contribute to the workforce and help Kentucky grow.”

DeVore, a senior food and nutrition major, also from Richmond, says EKU has always been part of her life as well. 

“EKU felt like home to me,” said DeVore. “With my mom and siblings being EKU alumni, I grew up coming to campus with them throughout my childhood. I always loved how beautiful the campus was, and I remember thinking that I couldn’t wait to grow up to be an EKU student myself.”

DeVore chose food and nutrition because of her interest in how nutrition affects health. A lifecycle nutrition course sparked her interest in women’s and pediatric nutrition and solidified her desire to pursue a career helping women and children navigate nutritional challenges.

Through EKU’s nutrition program, her work as a diet technician and her involvement in student leadership, DeVore has gained valuable experience and increased her confidence as she prepares for her career. She has also found opportunities to serve her community by volunteering at food banks, reinforcing her desire to use her education to support people in Madison County and throughout Kentucky.

“I hope to work more with local food banks like God’s Food Pantry to help reduce food insecurity in Madison County,” said DeVore. “I would also love to serve new and expectant mothers with nutritional care and support through WIC and eventually my own practice.”

For students like Neeley, Shackleford and DeVore, their EKU experiences are closely tied to their hometown. EKU provides a foundation for their careers while giving them opportunities to contribute to the communities where they live, work and plan to build their futures.

By: Jake Hall