College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

“Stepping foot on WKU’s campus just brought such a sense of comfort to me. I knew this was the kind of environment where I could step out of my comfort zone and attack new opportunities, while still feeling supported by a tight-knit community,” said Cat Taylor, a graduating senior from Tell City, IN.

Now finishing a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management, Taylor felt unsure about her college choice and major when she finished high school.

She had not thought much about the activities she wanted to be involved in, but that changed when she got on the Hill. Her college career was filled with experiences in sports, time with sorority sisters, developing as a leader and becoming who she set out to be - a leader on and off the field.

Before coming to WKU, the field Taylor was more familiar with was the softball field. She played competitive softball, volleyball and basketball growing up, and even signed a letter of intent to play softball in college. An accident and months of recovery changed her plans.

“It became apparent that I would not be able to recover in time and would have to decommit and shift my focus. In April of my senior year, I made the decision to come to WKU, unsure of much else. I came to campus for the first time on a whim and instantly fell in love,” Taylor shared.

“I walk across our beautiful campus that is alive with such a spirit and feel inspired every day,” Taylor expressed. “We offer Division 1 athletics, with successful programs so our student body can stand behind them and support, while also offering a strong Greek Community for people to find their home – all while still excelling in academic programs.”

For Taylor, her academic journey centered around sports through her major and as the president of the Sport Management Club.

“The Sport Management Program is such a supportive program for its students, as many of them are either athletes themselves or work in athletics. Our professors are very understanding of the demanding schedules we may have,” Taylor said.

Being in the WKU Sport Management program offers many opportunities to prepare for a career, and it offered Taylor unique experiences that she believes were important to the field of study. She explained that in the summer of 2023, the Sport Management and Exercise Science programs went to Hawaii for a Study Away trip. On this trip, they learned about how climate can affect an individual’s body.

“It was very beneficial as Sport Management and Exercise Students to be exposed to all of this, as it is very different from what we’re used to here in the Midwest,” Taylor explained. “This was an opportunity that I never expected to present itself, but it was by far one of my best memories here at WKU.”

Through Advanced Studies in Kinesiology (EXS 456) and Advanced Studies in Sport (SPM 456), Dr. Stacey Forsythe, Dr. Wendy Stone, and Dr. Paula Upright led students on this Study Away experience.

Learning about the human body in different climates is especially important in football where athletes travel near and far to compete. Taylor used this experience to connect to her internship with WKU Football as an On-Campus Recruiting and Operations Intern.

“I’ve been fortunate to hold this position voluntarily for my first three years of college. Now, they’ve given me the opportunity to complete my degree requirements through a formal supervised internship. Throughout my time with the team, I’ve been exposed to the world of recruiting and gained hands-on experience that will set me apart from other candidates who haven’t had these opportunities. I’ve become familiar and comfortable with the different ‘seasons’ of the recruiting process and look forward to being able to apply all this experience after I graduate.”

Off the field, Taylor actively engaged with her sorority, Chi Omega, joining as a freshman and later serving as Chapter President for two years.

“It has been such a joyful and pivotal part of my college experience. Being involved in a sorority has opened me up to a multitude of opportunities outside of my own chapter such as Order of Omega, Rho Lambda and Omicron Delta Kappa – all of which I’ve been a member of for two years as well.”

As Chi Omega’s Chapter President, Taylor led and oversaw the operations of the chapter to ensure it upheld the values and standards of the sorority.

“I am responsible for fostering a positive and inclusive chapter culture throughout our sisterhood and social events, promoting leadership development and ensuring our members adhere to the sorority’s values and policies.”

Under Taylor’s leadership, Chi Omega participated in numerous philanthropy projects, including those that benefited Make a Wish and the Family Enrichment Center. 

Taylor expressed, “Genuinely, the best part of my WKU experience has just been the people. The people really make the place, and WKU is the place to be.”

She switched majors at different times, changed minors, explored different electives and tried different extracurricular activities. Each experience shaped her time at WKU.

“Every single person that I’ve had the privilege of meeting over the last three and a half years has truly impacted me in one way or another. Looking back, I couldn’t have done it without the peers, professors and other mentors who surrounded me and pushed me to succeed. While I’m not looking forward to graduating, I know I’ve always got people in my corner who are rooting for me and there when I need a hand.”

Taylor will graduate Cum Laude on December 6, 2024 from Western Kentucky University. She hopes to continue working in college athletics within college football on-campus recruiting.

“This is not only what I’m most prepared and educated about, but I truly believe this is the best use of my skills. I enjoy the interaction between myself and prospective recruits, but also being able to boast proudly about the team and environment that I work for. It truly is the best of both worlds.”

For information on programs and degrees in the WKU Department of Sport Management, visit https://www.wku.edu/spm/.

#WKUGrad series: For more stories on graduating students in the #WKUGrad series, visit https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?view=default&categoryid=799&multinewsid=187

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Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.