WKU Sisterhood Spotlight: Christy Fuller ('02)

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Hometown: Cumberland, Ky.

Current city: Elizabethtown, Ky.

When did you attend WKU? I arrived in the fall of 1999 and graduated in the spring of 2002. Best days of my life! 

What activities were you involved in as a student or you are now involved in as an alumna? My life on the Hill was that historic time when the Schools of Journalism and Broadcasting merged to cement Western's reputation for creating the next generation of multimedia storytellers. Shortly after I arrived on campus, I was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha Journalism Honor Society. I wrote a few pieces for the College Heights Herald but I realized Public Relations was truly my calling. I received nothing but support from our faculty including my advisor Jo-Ann Albers and the irreverent Jim Highland. Luckily PR remained under SJB's umbrella, and my transition was seamless. I became active in the Public Relations Student Society of America and served as Vice-President of WKU's chapter for two semesters.

Internships were a huge component of SJB's core values, and to this day I remain grateful that we were encouraged us to diversify our skills before graduation. In my last two semesters, I had the privilege of working as a PR intern for The Center for Gifted Studies. From copywriting, editing, mass mailings, communications, and even photography and event coordination, I realized Western had exceptional leadership in so many other fields. Dr. Julia Roberts is a household name in the advocacy for exceptional students and their distinguished educators. At that time, The Center for Gifted Studies was about to springboard in creating The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Sciences in Kentucky, and I was so honored to watch all of the incredible women who worked behind the scenes, not just Dr. Roberts but the Center Director, Tracy Inman. Both of these women were huge role models for me as I made my way into the professional world. 

Both my husband Brian and I loved the Topper Travelers program and look forward to connecting with alumni travelers in the future. 

As an alumna, I am eager to connect with first-generation students like myself who have no roadmap in navigating higher education. I'm currently part of the Alumni Ambassadors and enjoy writing notes to prospective Hilltoppers. 

Do you have a favorite memory from college? Gosh, so many! Looking back, the friends I made in Florence Schneider Hall remain part of my most cherished inner circle. I met Robin Boggs and Becky Smith during my first semester and eventually both of them became my roommates! Since 1999, I've been welcomed into at least a half dozen families and gained several moms and dads. This year for my birthday, I visited my other Schneidner bestie Kristi and my adopted parents Richard and Carol in Austin, Texas, where I got to attend my very first rodeo and even judged a championship Texas chili cookoff. 

Is there a Sisterhood moment that stands out to you or made an impact? My first Sisterhood grant proposal meeting was such a humbling experience. As a first-generation college student, my time on the Hill was only possible through scholarships and grants. I worked part-time every semester and during the summers to support myself. One semester I learned I would need to invest almost $1,000 in supplies and equipment for classes, which sounded like millions to a young woman living within such a tight budget. I'm not sure how I did it, but before classes began in August, I had everything I needed. 

When I read the SJB grant, they requested funds to modernize multimedia equipment that would be available to all students. I looked down at my voting ballot to realize my life had come full circle. Now it was me who could make a difference in the life of a student, yet the price remained the same. 

There are no coincidences in life. 

If you work, what do you do? I am lucky to be married to a fellow WKU alumnus who supported my decision to leave a career of 15+ years in non-profit fundraising and communication to pursue my life-long dream - writing my first novel. I blog about my many quirky adventures in being a Participation Trophy Wife at christyfuller.com. This experience has been a creative blessing far beyond anything I could have imagined. 

I hope to begin pitching my novel to publishers by next summer. Fingers crossed! 

Family/Connection to Sisterhood members: Becky Smith approached me a few years ago about becoming part of the Sisterhood. We revisited the conversation in the fall and jumped in with both feet. Once we began posting on our social media about the experience, Robin was also inspired to join! 

We are slowly wearing down some of our Florence Schneider gals to join the Sisterhood. Patience is a virtue in this matter. 

At this summer's cocktail party at the home of Dr. Timothy Caboni and First Lady Kacy Caboni, I brought along a young lady I have mentored for the last three years. Kristen is in her first year at WKU and that night she got a chance to meet so many Sisterhood members and experience the excitement of investing in programs that benefit current students. Plus, it's never too early to start recruiting! 

Do you have any passion projects, other than WKU Sisterhood? Writing has always come naturally to me. In this season, I love to research topics and things that most people would never encounter. I love being a Jill of all trades, but a master of none. Many of my friends have relied upon me to articulate their passions into words as they start new businesses or explore new avenues of marketing. My rates are extremely affordable - just take me for dinner. Preferably somewhere that serves Mexican food. I will require queso. 

While I remain focused on my novel, I love mentoring young women from Southeast Christian Church. These young ladies have been part of my family since before their junior year of high school and have now transitioned into college life and their professions. Every woman needs someone in her corner and someone to push her past her comfort zone. I've reiterated a dozen times that I will always be their Mom #2.

Fun fact about yourself: I have purposely saved this one for last as it is the single greatest way Western changed my life. The day I moved into Florence Schneider, I was struggling to haul suitcases when a handsome young man held the door open for me. I instantly noticed how excessively charming and adorable he was. We immediately became friends (and friends with both Becky and Robin!) and were inseparable for the next three years. Seven years later, I had just returned from a Topper Travelers trip to Ireland when he drove us to where it all began and asked me to marry him. At least I think that's what he asked because I wasn't just in shock, I was severely jet-lagged. 

This May marks 16 years of wedded bliss and my favorite Irish proverb sums up our many years of friendship and partnership - "two shorten the road." I cannot believe this August makes 24 years since that chance encounter.