Kendyl Gurren '26
Kendyl Gurren '26
- Hometown: Hebron, KY
- Class: 2026
- Majors: English: Professional Writing; Psychology
- Other Activities, Honors, and Awards:
- Honors College
- First Generation Student
- Presidential Fellows Program/Project,
- HWC
- HSAB
Why ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú?
I chose ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú for the community! As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt welcome and supported by staff and students alike. I don’t think that any other college I applied to would care about me as an individual as much as ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú does. I have had so many wonderful opportunities granted to me through my faculty connections as well, and every day I know I made the right choice!
How did you choose your major?
I came into ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú as Psychology with a Premedical Studies co-major. However, through internships, I was introduced to my love for working with and helping children. I decided I didn’t want to be a doctor so that I could instead continue to help children and adolescents through mental health counseling.
Key Moment at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú
The process of getting published was long and strenuous, and I couldn’t have done it without Dr. Elizabeth Hutton. Lizzie is the one who encouraged me to submit my piece for review after writing it for her ENG 481 class, and she helped me revise my paper, send it out to magazines and journals, and supported me the entire way. It really showed me that faculty here want to see me succeed and I feel more able to rely on professors for professional and academic support!
Other Notable Experience
I studied abroad in Ireland this past spring, and it taught me so much about how to deal with loneliness, being independent, and trying new things. It helped me to realize that life is full of amazing opportunities and experiences if I am willing to seek them out!
Advice to Prospective Students
I would tell them that this is more than a college. It is a community of kind and supportive faculty and peers. There truly is no place like ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú and even Oxford at large in the way that I feel we are so tight-knit while also being diverse. Everyone will have your back here and help you have the best college experience for you personally!
What are your career goals?
I am looking to attend graduate school for my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I want to provide therapeutic services to children and adolescents with the larger goal of alleviating mental health stigma in America.