Hello, McMurry family!
I am incredibly excited to begin this new chapter as the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and to continue serving at a university that has meant so much to me. When I look back on my time at McMurry, I never could have imagined that the place I came to as a student-athlete would eventually become my home away from home and where I would begin my professional career.
My journey to McMurry started with basketball. McMurry was the only basketball offer I received, but what began as an opportunity quickly became something much more meaningful. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I knew there was something special about McMurry. I found a community where I felt welcomed, supported, and encouraged to grow not only as an athlete but as a person.
During my time at McMurry, I pursued my degree in Sports Leadership and Management as a member of the Class of 2026 while competing on the women’s basketball team. Some of my favorite memories will always be nights in Kimbrell Arena. There was something special about every home game: the energy, the crowd, my teammates, and the feeling of representing a university that had become such an important part of my life. Those moments taught me lessons about teamwork, commitment, perseverance, and what it truly means to be part of something bigger than yourself.
Outside of basketball, I also gained valuable professional experience. I worked in Events as a student worker, which gave me my first real introduction to the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating successful events and bringing people together. I also completed an internship with ReVive Integrative Wellness, where I continued to develop skills that would eventually prove valuable in my professional career.
Through every stage of my journey, my family has been my greatest source of support. They have always believed in me, encouraged me through challenges, and reminded me to keep moving forward. Their support has played a huge role in shaping who I am today, and I carry that with me in everything I do.
After graduation, I was fortunate enough to begin my professional career right here at McMurry as the Event Coordinator. Coming back to the university in a professional role was a huge blessing for me. I was able to see McMurry from a different perspective while still feeling connected to the community that had given me so much as a student-athlete. Although my role had changed, the lessons I learned through basketball teamwork, discipline, resilience, and showing up for the people around me continued to guide me in my work and in the way I serve the McMurry community.
Eventually, I was given the opportunity to step into my current role as Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement. Taking that opportunity was a leap of faith for me. I wasn’t completely sure what the next chapter would look like, but I trusted that God was opening the door for a reason. Baylee Kindrick Couch, the previous person in this position, also played an important role in my journey by believing in me and putting so much faith in my ability to take on this opportunity. That confidence meant more to me than I can fully express, and it encouraged me to take that next step.
Now, I have the opportunity to help strengthen the connection between McMurry and the people who have been a part of its story. One of the things I am most passionate about in this role is helping mend the bridge between our alums and our current students. I want to create opportunities for generations of McMurry students who came before us to connect with those experiencing McMurry today. Our alums have stories, experiences, knowledge, and relationships that can inspire and guide current students, while today’s students bring new energy, ideas, and perspectives to our McMurry community. I believe that when we bring those two groups together, we create something much stronger than either could create alone.
Whether it is highlighting the accomplishments of our alumni, creating opportunities for alums to reconnect, or simply helping someone feel connected to McMurry again, I am excited to play a role in keeping our McMurry family strong.
McMurry is so much more than a university to me. It is my home away from home. It is where I grew, challenged myself, made memories, played the sport I love, earned my degree, and discovered a career that I never expected to have. I honestly don’t know how I could ever leave McMurry and stay away for long. There is too much of my heart here.
If I could give current McMurry students one piece of advice, it would be to enjoy every moment. Time moves incredibly fast when you’re navigating through life, and sometimes we get so focused on what comes next that we forget to appreciate where we are. Enjoy the exciting moments, the difficult moments, the wins, the losses, and even the moments that don’t make sense yet. Every experience is shaping you in some way.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith. Sometimes the opportunities that change your life are the ones that require you to step outside of what feels comfortable and trust that God is guiding you toward something greater.
I am incredibly grateful that my journey brought me to McMurry, and even more grateful that I now have the opportunity to continue that journey by serving the alums who make up such an important part of our university family.
I look forward to creating new memories, reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting alums from every generation, and helping remind our McMurry family that no matter how long it has been since you graduated, McMurry will always be home.
Ala Cumba!
Have a story to share about life after McMurry? Whether you’re celebrating a career milestone, making a difference in your community, or pursuing a passion, the Alumni Office would love to hear from you. To share your story or suggest a fellow alum for a future feature, contact alumni@mcm.edu.