Located in Lexington, the University of Kentucky is the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s flagship institution of higher education. As a land grant institution, the University is dedicated to enriching people’s lives through excellence in teaching, research and service and plays a critical leadership role for the state by promoting human and economic development within Kentucky’s borders and beyond. Total enrollment is nearly 27,000 students, representing all Kentucky counties, every state in the nation, and 117 countries. In 2004 – 2005, the University conferred 6,272 degrees among its comprehensive academic programs. Approximately 1,900 full-time faculty and 9,000 full-time staff are employed by the University. The University consists of 16 colleges, plus the Graduate School. With 93 undergraduate programs, master’s degrees in 99 fields, doctoral degrees in 66 programs, and four professional programs, the colleges include: Agriculture, Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, Communications and Information Studies, Dentistry, Design, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Social Work. The University carries more than 80 national rankings for academic excellence.