WKU News

When Nicola Sparks and Lisa Hampton call Western Kentucky University and Gordon Ford College of Business their family, they mean it. The mother-daughter pair have been active participants on WKU's campus for as long as they can remember.

As a Bowling Green native, Lisa chose to attend WKU to stay in the community that she loved. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, she applied for a Student Assistant position that evolved into a full-time job as the GFCB Office Associate.

Facing the challenges of being a single mother of three and a working student, Lisa often brought her daughter, Nicola, with her to campus. This exposure to GFCB helped Nicola to find a home for herself here on The Hill.

"I chose WKU because it was familiar to me. I had been on WKU's campus, mostly in Grise Hall, throughout my High School years because my mother was taking classes in GFCB while also working for the college," said Nicola.

Nicola left WKU after graduation but returned when she was made aware of a job opening by her mother. Currently, the mother-daughter pair are back together in Grise Hall. Lisa serves students as an Academic Advisor, and Nicola works as a GFCB Office Associate assisting with student recruitment.

The two keep things very professional at work, so much so that many people don't even realize they are related. But that doesn't stop them from letting their relationship grow.

Lisa says the most rewarding part of working so close to Nicola is "watching her grow and become the young woman she is today. I'm so proud of her."

Nicola has found great pride in being a part of the WKU and the GFCB family. She said, "being a Hilltopper means being dedicated to making time and effort to build relationships with students, providing support, guidance, confidence, honesty, and laughter."

Lisa, who has been the recipient of an associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree, urges students not to give up no matter what challenges they may face.

"Get an education to be able to make a positive change. Your background doesn't define you. Any individual can do anything that they set their mind to do," says Lisa