News from The Mahurin Honors College

Mycal Caster, a first-year student at Western Kentucky University, has always known that dance was her calling. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, Mycal’s journey to WKU was a direct one. "This is actually the only school I looked at," they admit. Their decision was cemented after attending WKU’s Summer Dance Intensive, where they found a welcoming community among professors and students alike. "I fell in love with it. The people and the professors were really nice, and the dance students were so encouraging."

Mycal, who is double majoring in Dance (Potter College of Arts & Letters) and Psychology (College of Education & Behavioral Studies), wanted a school close to home but still far enough away to experience independence. At just an hour’s drive from Nashville, WKU offered the perfect balance.

Having danced since the age of two, Mycal’s training spans ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop. Coming to WKU introduced them to modern dance, which has challenged them in unexpected ways. "Modern is so interesting to me because there are so many different branches," they say. "It tests my abilities and endurance a lot."

Days as a dance major are intense. "Tuesdays and Thursdays are booked and busy," they share. Mornings start early with an 8 a.m. tap class, followed by ballet and jazz, and then an abnormal psychology course. On Thursdays, their day extends even further as they participate in rehearsals for WKU’s Dance Company as an understudy. "Dance Company does different showcases—'Tis the Season' in the fall and a more formal, adjudicated showcase in the spring."

Beyond dance, Mycal stays involved in campus life, making efforts to meet new people and engage in student organizations. "I try to stay out of my room as much as possible," they laugh. "I meander around campus, hang out with friends, and even go on little missions—like looking for Topperfella’s!"

Since beginning college, Mycal has noticed significant personal growth. "I think I’ve grown a lot," they reflect. "I was always academically focused, but now I’m more optimistic about the process. I’m also trying to branch out and make more friends."

Coming from a private school background, adjusting to a public university setting has been eye-opening. "This is my first time in a public institution, and it’s really diverse, which is interesting to see," they share. Learning to rely on themself more has been a challenge, but one they embrace. "I’m trying not to rely on my mom as much, though I still do sometimes. But now, I get to pick my own path and explore different options."

Mycal’s ambitions stretch beyond dance. "I have two dreams," they say. "The first is to be a performer—whether that’s singing, dancing, acting, or songwriting." They are already working toward that goal, collaborating with a friend on a music project set to release this spring. "It’s just a single for now, but I have so many ideas for albums."

Their second goal is rooted in psychology. "I want to be a clinical psychologist and work in an inpatient psych unit. I originally considered psychiatry, but balancing a pre-med track with dance was too much." They envision either pursuing performance full-time after graduation before returning to school or heading straight into graduate studies.

Mycal is also considering a way to merge these two passions. "A lot of people have asked if I’d go into movement therapy," they say. "I really love the cathartic side of dance, and I guess that’s why my mom suggested it too. But I also just love performing."

Mycal’s work ethic is undeniable. Despite being in their first year at WKU, they are already classified as a junior due to their extensive dual enrollment credits from high school. "I’ll still be here for four years because dance requires time to develop technique, but academically, I’m progressing fast."

Their involvement in the Mahurin Honors College has also shaped their WKU experience. In HON 251, they worked alongside Senior Teaching Fellow Danielle Williams on a mental health awareness project. "Our presentation focused on how to take care of yourself and others without burning out. I think people really found it helpful."

Looking ahead, they plan to pursue a civic capstone experience instead of a traditional thesis. "I want to combine dance and mental health by creating a dance piece that showcases different mental health issues," Mycal explains. "It could highlight the pressures dancers face, like perfectionism, anxiety, or eating disorders."

Reflecting on their transition to college life, Mycal credits Honors orientation integration into M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan for helping them build strong friendships. "I met most of my closest friends on the very first day of M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan, and we’ve stuck together ever since."

With a packed schedule, ambitious career goals, and a strong passion for both dance and psychology, Mycal is carving out a unique and meaningful path at WKU. Whether on stage or in a clinical setting, they are determined to make an impact—one step at a time.