LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 2025) —Three students in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) PhD program—Kristen Theile, Levone Li, and Holden Dillman—have been selected for the highly competitive 2025-2027 cohort of the DREAM Scholars Program.
The DREAM Scholars is led by UK’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science and aims to support early-stage investigators whose research focuses on accelerating discoveries to improve health. The two-year program provides mentorship, funding, and professional development to help scholars advance their research and career trajectories.
“This recognition speaks to the caliber of social work research being led by our doctoral students,” said Dr. Natalie Pope, director of the CoSW PhD program. “Kristen, Levone, and Holden are advancing meaningful, community-informed work that aligns directly with the mission of the DREAM program—and of our College as a whole.”
Kristen Theile, a dual doctoral candidate earning both a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) and Ph.D., brings years of nonprofit and community-based experience to her academic pursuits. Her research focuses on human service organizations through the lens of positive psychology and holistic wellness, with a particular interest in how organizational health influences service outcomes. Kristen’s applied perspective is shaped by her work with grassroots organizations both domestically and internationally.
Levon Lee, now in his third year of doctoral study, is known for his dynamic, data-driven research at the intersection of behavioral health, sport, and youth development. A published scholar and frequent conference presenter, Lee’s work explores aggression, resilience, and mental health among college athletes and youth populations, drawing from advanced statistical methodologies and psychometric testing. He is a longstanding member of the Sport Social Work Research Lab at UK, where he has contributed to multiple program evaluations and book chapters focused on experiential learning and social-emotional skill development.
Holden Dillman, also a third-year doctoral student, was recently awarded the James S. Brown Graduate Student Award for Research for his work on Appalachian youth mental health. His research investigates how early-life adversity shapes long-term behavioral and emotional outcomes, with an emphasis on resilience and place-based experiences in health access. Dillman’s work is deeply informed by the cultural and social contexts of rural Kentucky.
To learn more about the DREAM Scholars Program, visit: https://www.ccts.uky.edu/education-training/career-development-and-training-programs/dream-scholars-program.