Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers discussed the University of Kentucky's critical role in addressing the commonwealth's most pressing needs and preparing for economic challenges ahead during a new episode of the university's "Behind the Blue" podcast.

The episode, released by UK Strategic Communications, features Stivers reflecting on his time as a UK student and his journey to becoming one of Kentucky's most influential legislative leaders. Stivers has served as Senate president since 2013 and represents the 25th Senate District, which encompasses Clay, Jackson, Knox, Lee, McCreary, Owsley and Whitley counties in southeastern Kentucky.

Growing up between London and Manchester in Laurel County, Stivers recalled how Lexington felt like "the big city" when he first arrived at UK as a student. Decades later, his perspective on the university's value has expanded significantly. In the podcast conversation with UK Strategic Communications' Amy Jones-Timoney, Stivers emphasizes that UK must function as "the tip of the spear" in helping Kentucky think beyond immediate challenges to plan for the future.

The Senate president highlighted constituents' ongoing needs, including access to good jobs, reliable broadband and cell service, quality health care and education. He holds a bachelor's degree in industrial management from UK and a law degree from the University of Louisville.

Stivers expressed particular appreciation for UK's research enterprise, citing deeply personal experiences with cancer in his family. He noted that his mother received care at UK Markey Cancer Center, an experience that underscored the real-world impact of university research on Kentucky communities. Research, Stivers argued, extends beyond discoveries to drive economic development by attracting talent and investment to Kentucky.

In the episode, Stivers pointed to examples ranging from cancer care and health research to forestry, agriculture, engineering and industry partnerships. He also addressed technological change, including artificial intelligence, and urged UK to prepare students for jobs that may look dramatically different in coming years. Students, he said, must remain adaptable and ready to retrain continuously.

"Behind the Blue" is available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify and other providers, with new episodes released weekly featuring UK's research breakthroughs, medical advances and institutional news.