WKU News

WKU senior Keisjia Mitchell is a second-generation college student pursuing her baccalaureate degree in Health Information Management (HIM). Although the Bowling Green native keeps her plate full with work, parenting, and school, leaving a path for future students is top of mind.

She served all four years of high school in the Junior Reserves Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), graduating as a company commander. Through the program, she developed skills in leadership and learned the importance of serving her community.

Carrying those skills into college, Mitchell now serves as a student representative for the KHIMA (KY Health Information Management Association) student engagement committee. “Being a part of this committee is a huge honor. It has made me proud of the school that I represent. I hope that my work is paving the way for future students and that I can unite them to build a sense of community [in the program] at WKU.”

“Keisjia has strived for balance and has been very successful doing so; she has a history of excelling. [Outside of her other responsibilities,] she volunteered to manage the HIM program’s social media efforts and has shared ideas to promote and increase awareness of the program. She will be an asset to the HIM profession,” said Program Director Jan Hunt-Shepherd.

Health Information Management is a diverse field that incorporates medicine, management, finance, information technology, and law into one dynamic career path. WKU currently offers an associate and a baccalaureate degree in this field within the Public Health Department in the College of Health and Human Services. Students interested in learning more about the program can visit https://www.wku.edu/healthinformationmanagement/index.php. 

Looking back at her time on the Hill, she’s thankful for the chance to network. “I’ve been given so many opportunities to learn and grow from other HIM professionals. Getting my name in the community will be helpful since I’ll be graduating soon,” Mitchell said.

“Life is all about growth, facing, and overcoming challenges. I have learned to manage my time and take pride in my work. My advice to future WKU students is to find something you love or try something new, and don’t be afraid to fail. [Early in my college career] I was reserved and didn’t take risks, I’ve since found my passion and am working towards my career.” After graduation, Mitchell hopes to work in a private office or mental health facility as a coder or registrar.