Morehead State hosts INSIGHT program for Kentucky students
Morehead State University recently welcomed students from across Kentucky for the 19th annual INSIGHT Summer Program. A weeklong residential experience designed to help blind and visually impaired high school students build independence, confidence and skills for future success.
Hosted on MSU's campus, INSIGHT provides participants with opportunities to experience college life while developing skills in self-advocacy, career exploration, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, and independent living.
This year's participants included:
- Abby Brewer, Frankfort
- Loyalty Curry-Sails, Louisville
- Norah Fenwick, Louisville
- Gabby Garcia, Louisville
- Mackenzie Gibson, Corbin
- Sadie Hardy, Louisville
- Owen Harris, Carrollton
- Makenna Harrod, Louisville
- Jayden "JJ" Johnson, Grethel
- Joshua Lewis, Louisville
- Emma Pierce, Louisville
- Rebecca Ratliff, Waco
- Weston Reynolds, Weeksbury
- Caleb Robinson, Louisville
- Gavin Tucker, Elkhorn City
- Lindsay Webb, Olive Hill
- Alysa Wiles, Berea
- Ximi Willoughby, Elizabethtown
- Max Yampolskiy, Prospect
Throughout the week, students participated in workshops, campus activities and hands-on experiences designed to prepare them for college, careers and independent adulthood while building lasting connections with peers from across the state.
"This week of INSIGHT has been a great opportunity for our students to not only get to experience college life to but to meet and develop friendships with other students that are blind/visually impaired," said INSIGHT Coordinator Kyle Sochia. "It has been amazing to see these friendships build at INSIGHT and carry on as they return back to their home communities and into the future."
For many participants, the program's greatest impact comes from the confidence and independence they gain through experience.
"I feel like INSIGHT offers a real-world experience to visually impaired students. Completing the program allows us to bring home independence and confidence as we start our career journey," said Emma Pierce.
INSIGHT is part of Morehead State's ongoing commitment to providing educational opportunities and support services that empower students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve their goals.
For more information about INSIGHT, contact Senior Instructor of Communication Randy Manis (Class of 2006, 2008) at r.manis@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-5399.
To learn more about Disability Services at MSU, contact Assistant Director Misty Litton (Class of 2009, 2018) at m.litton@moreheadstate.edu or by calling 606-783-5188.
Photo Caption: Participants in the 2026 INSIGHT Camp at MSU.
Back Row (Left to Right): Abby Brewer, Caleb Robinson, Sadie Hardy, Jayden “JJ” Johnson, Owen Harris, Rebecca Ratliff, Weston Reynolds, Gavin Tucker
Front Row (Left to Right): Lindsay Webb, Emma Pierce, Norah Fenwick, Gabby Garcia, Loyalty Curry-Sails, Max Yampolskiy, Mackenzie Gibson, Makenna Harrod, Ximi Willoughby, Alysa Wiles, Joshua Lewis
