KENTUCKY — We're continuing our series looking at some of the fastest-growing communities in our state.  This week on In Focus Kentucky, we’re highlighting Lexington-Fayette County and specifically discussing the importance of city-university partnerships and their impact on the region.

Dr. Eli Capilouto is the long-time president of the University of Kentucky. He became the 12th school President on July 1, 2011. 

Also under his leadership, the university has grown from $2.7 billion to $5.6 billion in total operations and has gained significant momentum in advancing Kentucky as the flagship university in the bluegrass state.

"Well, it's very gratifying because people have deep ties to our university and then the expressions of gratitude that are here. We are certainly located in Lexington, but we're all also located in 120 counties. We accept students and matriculate students from all 50 states, in over 100 countries. So it's hard to go anywhere without hearing those expressions of thanks. Thanks, that we provided a transformative education. And in certain communities, we've stood shoulder to shoulder with them to take on serious challenges from flooding to health care disparities," says Dr. Capilouto.

Upon taken the role as president at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Capilouto has been outspoken about wanting to transform and invest in the look and feel of campus, along with wanting to growing scholarships. As a result, over the last 10+ years, UK has invested nearly $3 billion in campus improvements.

"We still have more work to do. The state of Kentucky this year, for the first time in a while, can afford investing in our capital needs. So we have over $400 million to preserve the assets or restore some of the older facilities on campus and then new monies to support health education building for our health colleges. We found creative ways to rebuild our campus thanks to the generosity of many many donors and public private partnerships. And I want to add that we did this in a financially prudent way," explains Dr. Capilouto.

You can watch the full In Focus segment in the player above.