Luke Godsey is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Linguistics with a minor in Classical Studies. Luke is a proud Appalachian from Somerset, Kentucky dedicated to exploring the richness of regional identity through language. As a linguistics student, Luke’s research focuses on social prestige of English dialects, particularly Appalachian English, challenging stereotypes and elevating the nuanced realities of a population and culture that is often negatively stigmatized or overlooked.
Beyond Luke’s academic work, Luke brings this cultural consciousness to Luke’s work as a program assistant at the Penn Women’s Center (PWC). There, Luke cultivates a space for connection and community building through a weekly tea time where individuals can come together and build meaningful relationships. Luke also reinvigorated PWC’s arts program through the What’s Your Story? monthly art program and grant opportunity. For the art program, Luke develops and facilitates programs designed to encourage personal storytelling through a variety of artistic modalities. Through the grant opportunity, Luke works to dignify and empower individuals, their stories, and their art, and highlight the diversity of backgrounds and experiences within the Penn community. Through Luke’s work, Luke fosters dialogue that affirms the complexity and value of every individual and their voice. Luke is excited to serve on the SNF Paideia Advisory Board to embrace cross cultural communication and uplift voices from across America.