Sport Management Senior Kaylynn Smith

Kay graduates May 15, 2021, with a Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management. She has accepted the position of Promotions and Community Relations manager with the Peoria Chiefs Baseball Team! She is from Galesburg, Illinois.

Tell us about some of the professional opportunities that have presented themselves while you've attended SAU. How will you use those now or in the future?

During my time at SAU, I've had 4 internships: some through classes and some through my own interest! I worked with the QC Storm, NAIA Planning Committee 2020, Mike Holmes in SAU Athletics & the RiverPlex in Peoria, IL. I think that I have gained so much experience from these and it has set me up for success in the professional world outside of college.

What was a defining moment or very memorable experience you had as a student in the Department of Kinesiology? Honestly, sharing successes and getting so much help with/from Dr. Eikleberry and Dr. Spencer! Their guidance and reassurance has shaped me into the student and professional I am and I will never forget that.

What drew you initially to our department? Has that motivation changed over the course of the years you've been at SAU? My love and passion for sports drew me in and then finding what I loved to do through experience made it stick! I took my first class with Dr. Spencer my sophomore year and instantly knew that something with arenas/facility operation was where I wanted to be.

What advice might you give to a prospective student considering the Dept. of Kinesiology at SAU? Being successful will take a lot of hard work and dedication, but the professors only want you to succeed and they're always a text or email away if you run into anything. Utilize the tools you have and over-prepare for everything!

What advice might you give to someone just starting the bulk of their required departmental coursework? Buckle down and get serious about it. This work will set you up for the future. There are so many times I use things from classes in my full-time job now. It all matters, even if it seems tedious.

How did your affiliation with St. Ambrose help you in your job search or graduate school search? I must give all of that credit to my references. Dr. Spencer and Dr. E gave me glowing recommendations and I think it truly made me stand out several times during interview processes. It made narrowing down jobs hard!