First Time RUXer Josh Givens Shares His RUX Experience

K.A.Simpson, Travis Fugate and C. Josh Givens speak with the 2019 Cohort about their experiences as Kentuckians in the military.

New people - self-doubt is normal.
New places - feeling overwhelmed is normal.
Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange - the experience is everything but normal.

In the summer of 2019, I was selected to be included in the RUX program and had no idea what to expect. Certainly, I had gone throughout leadership development programs many times throughout my life but I sensed there was something different about this opportunity.

All I knew to expect was that I would be with Kentuckians from all across the Commonwealth, and the little bit of background information on them I had picked up from materials shared before that first weekend in Northern Kentucky.

On my long drive from west Kentucky to Northern Kentucky University, I contemplated this new opportunity - one that I felt very blessed to be included within. Upon arrival and walking into the check-in area of a campus dormitory, I was immediately struck by the diversity in age, race, gender and personal style.

Being my first weekend, I knew no one in the room but went about the business of checking-in, creating my name badge and orienting myself. I tend to be shy - at first - in new situations, so I chose a place to post up and wait for the next thing.

It was not long before others in the room began to introduce themselves, and I came to the realization this would be like no other experience I had ever been through. These people I did not know were gracious, kind and genuinely interested in who I was. My barriers began to crumble.

After room assignments and getting settled in, that first weekend began. RUX is intense and busy, so prepare yourself for that. You will be moving constantly and at times you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information coming at you.

Never fear; there is room to step away and regroup. RUX’s goal is to create a better understanding between rural and urban communities, not to drive you out of your mind. And your cohort partners will be looking out for you, just as you look out for them.

While the program is planned out in as much as with the places you will visit, the people who give of their community, and the meals you will share, there is plenty of space to be yourself and learn about those around you. I mean, that is the point, right?

Once you get past that initial awkwardness and newness, open yourself to the experience and the people you are sharing it with. I am still in a bit of awe at how closely I grew with people over those three weekends of 2019. The friendships and networking gained have enriched my life so much, and I look forward to that continuing even after my time in the cohort is through.

This is not a program where everyone is meant to agree, and nor will it be. There will be times you will hear information you do not find agreeable; remain calm, be an adult and understand there will be space to address your feelings from that moment. Leadership development and understanding are based in these very types of experiences. It is how we grow as human beings.

Kentucky is a complicated place with complicated people. Perhaps we understand this of ourselves more clearly than anyone else on the planet. We have challenges and we each have different ideas of how to meet those challenges. You might come away surprised at that person in the cohort who connects to you in considering those challenges.

We are unique in so many ways and RUX works best when we embrace that individuality in the pathway to finding solutions. Your cohort and the alumni of RUX have a goal of making Kentucky a much better place to be in as many ways as possible, whether that be social justice, agriculture, business, government, civic organizations or even as individuals.

I encourage you to keep those goals in mind while remaining open to new people and new places. If you come into this convinced that you know what east or west Kentucky or Louisville is all about, you are cheating yourself of growth and those around you of hearing your sincere impressions.

You will hear this phrase often and take it to heart: “RUX works if you work it.” As your experience grows, you will understand this mantra, so have fun, be open and bring a good pair of walking shoes.


You are in for an unforgettable time with unforgettable people and places.

-- C. Josh Givens, 2019-2020 RUX Cohort