News from The Mahurin Honors College

Atiana Spivey’s academic journey is a testament to her diverse interests and unwavering ambition. A first-generation college student from Tompkinsville, KY, Atiana is currently a dual major in Biology and English (with a concentration in Professional Writing) at Western Kentucky University. She’s also pursuing a minor in Chinese and a TESOL certificate. Atiana’s multifaceted academic path may seem unusual, but her experiences have shaped her into a student with a passion for both science and the humanities.

Atiana’s love for wildlife biology began at a young age. “When I was  six, I was like, ‘I’m gonna do wildlife biology,’” she recalls. This early passion drove her to pursue every opportunity available, despite growing up in a high school environment that prioritized technical readiness over academic and scientific fields. “My school in Monroe County is great for technical readiness, but for the scientific and academic industries, it wasn’t always the best suited.” The limited availability of Advanced Placement (AP) and higher level courses led Atiana to seek out other ways to achieve her goals.

It was during a middle school visit by a representative from the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science that Atiana found her academic path. By the 7th grade, she had already set her sights on attending the Gatton Academy. In 8th grade, she worked closely with her guidance counselor to ensure she was on the right track. This foresight paid off when she was accepted into Gatton, a transformative experience that would open many doors for her.

At Gatton Academy, Atiana was immersed in STEM subjects but discovered an unexpected passion for English, and she used her Gatton Academy electives to explore English. “I enjoy English more. Math has just one answer, and you have to get it right. But with English, I can argue that the point of To Kill a Mockingbird is about two clowns crying in a corner, and as long as I support it, I’m right,” she says with a laugh. This freedom of interpretation in literature stood in stark contrast to the rigidness of math, fueling her desire to explore the humanities.

Her love of languages was also sparked at Gatton, where she began learning Mandarin Chinese. In her senior year, Atiana applied for and won a fully funded scholarship through the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. This prestigious opportunity allowed her to spend two months in Taiwan, where she lived with a host family, immersed herself in the culture, and continued honing her Chinese language skills. The experience had a lasting impact on her. “I didn’t want to stop learning Mandarin,” she explains, which led her to continue her studies in Chinese as a minor at WKU.

Back on WKU’s campus, Atiana has thrown herself into various academic and extracurricular opportunities. As a member of the Ecology Club and Horticulture Club, she continues her passion for environmental science while engaging with peers who share her interests. She is also considering joining the Honors Social Planning Board to take on a leadership role, drawing on her experience with student governance at the Gatton Academy.

Atiana’s research experience is equally impressive. During her time at Gatton, she completed a comprehensive literature review project under the mentorship of Dr. Natalie Mountjoy, with whom she plans to collaborate with again. She also participated in a hands-on summer research experience at the Thomas Moore University Biology Field Station, conducting a fish diversity survey and examining the health of river ecosystems by analyzing zooplankton and phytoplankton samples. These experiences solidified her love for wildlife research and inspired her to explore international opportunities.

Another Gatton Academy opportunity took her to Costa Rica during the winter of 2023, where she worked on a sea turtle conservation project. Atiana spent nights on hatchery duty, where she monitored sea turtle nests and protected their eggs. “We had two nests hatch while we were there, and it was amazing to be part of the process, measuring the hatchlings and ensuring their safety,” she recalls. This project inspired her to consider Costa Rica as a possible site for her honors thesis or graduate school research.

Atiana’s international experiences don’t stop there. She is currently applying for the Gilman Scholarship, which would allow her to join a summer study abroad program in South Africa led by Dr. Michael Stokes. This program, which takes students into the field to work with large mammals like giraffes, wildebeest, and zebras, perfectly aligns with Atiana’s career goals. “I like research, and I want to continue doing that, but I’m also interested in working for national parks or wildlife organizations,” she explains. Her long-term goal is to work in wildlife biology, potentially with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or even in international zoological institutes.

Despite her busy academic schedule, Atiana credits her time at Gatton Academy for preparing her for the challenges of university life. “Going through Gatton definitely helped. I feel more prepared, but now, without the Gatton guardrails, I have to handle more myself,” she says. One challenge is managing the logistical and administrative aspects of college life, such as purchasing textbooks, which were handled for her at Gatton. Still, Atiana has found her footing at WKU. “I’m not a first-year student, and it’s nice to know where all my classes are, how to access campus resources like Preston, and how to budget my meal swipes.”

With graduate school on the horizon and the support of her family, Atiana’s future looks bright. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in wildlife biology and continue her research on mammals, with a particular interest in working with national parks and conservation organizations. “Wildlife biology is a unique area. There’s a lot of demand for these jobs, but not a lot of supply,” she notes, recognizing the competitive nature of the field but remaining determined to succeed.

As she continues to balance her dual majors, extracurricular activities, and research projects, Atiana reflects on her decision to remain at the Honors College. “Being a member of an institution that wants to help you better yourself can never be a bad thing—that was a big draw of Honors for me,” she says. Atiana’s journey from Gatton Academy to WKU showcases her commitment to both her academic and personal growth, embodying the spirit of lifelong learning.