Q&A with Academic Councilor, Kalyn Bednarz
Tell us about your family and pets.
I have a super awesome, and supportive family that I can still feel loving on me all the way back in Texas. My mom, Kristin, is a professional photographer who posts the most legendary Snapchat and Instagram stories. Oh, and she captures incredible wedding photos for any engaged-and-looking couples out there! *wink wink* (She would be so disappointed if I didn’t include a shameless plug on her behalf right here since she is always eagerly looking for any kind of reason to fly out here to see me. @kristinbednarz) My dad, Devin, is a full time purchasing agent. My baby sister (and baby is only a term of endearment as she actually has several inches on me and has exuded wisdom beyond her years and mine since diapers) is rocking the city girl life as an accountant with EY’s Dallas firm. Then there’s Kanga, my toy Australian Shepherd furbaby that lives on the family farm back home and who I miss madly.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not working?
I love reading books, learning new things, curating music playlists, attending sports games, exploring new places, and shooting around on an empty court is still my happy place.
What songs do you have completely memorized?
My mom was—and let’s be real—still is in love with Usher, so thanks to the fact that I was subsequently raised on his songs I know most of them by heart.
What do you wish you knew more about?
Teleportation--so that the people I love back in Texas wouldn’t be so far away.
What movie title best describes your life?
Hmm… I’m not sure what movie title best describes my life, but I feel like this is a good place to confess that I’ve probably seen Remember the Titans more times than any other human being on this planet. It may or may not be the only reason I know how many feet are in a mile.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chips and Salsa.
Which fad or trend do you hope comes back?
Music recorded with real instruments instead of electronically fabricated beats.
What's something you like to do the old-fashioned way?
I love handwritten notes and letters sent through the mailbox with an envelope you lick, a physical address, an actual stamp...you know the whole nine yards.
What is something you're determined to accomplish one day?
When I was a little girl and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I used to always reply that I wanted to be 6 foot and dunk it. If I’m being completely honest, there’s probably still a part of me that is holding onto hope that somehow the laws of gravity forget to apply to me one day and I can still make this happen.
Who is your role model and why?
My baby sister. She is the most kind-hearted, hardworking, resilient person that I know.
Tell us about your college experience.
Even though I grew up playing sports my whole life (what else are you going to do in Lubbock, TX), I decided to forego my offers to play at the collegiate level and try out the “normal student life” as a Longhorn on the University of Texas’ 40 acres. How did that go you ask? Well I practically majored in intramurals, went to the national championship tournament with UT’s women’s club soccer team, studied abroad in England where I somehow ended up hooping all over Europe with a team I got picked up to play on, and graduated with a degree in radio, television, and film that I used to cover sports stories as an intern and producing assistant for some broadcasting companies.
What brought you here to Samford?
Right before Samford, as I was finishing up the last year of my master’s degree, I was working as a learning specialist with The University of Texas athletics department in an interim capacity for an advisor who had taken an extended leave of absence. After much prayer, a graduation, and the advisor’s return, I knew I was ready for my next big adventure and truly felt like God was calling me here to the opportunity at Samford.
Before working here at Samford, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I interned at a local news station where I got to transcribe investigative interviews with local inmates. I heard stories that definitely belong on episodes of Criminal Minds.
What is your favorite part about working at Samford?
I love the fact that Samford feels like a tight knit family, like we’re all connected by a singular mission.
How has Samford impacted your life?
Samford has been one of the best adventures so far. I have grown so much through my experience here. We have some very cool student-athletes who never fail to impress me, humble me, make me laugh, sometimes drive me nuts, but ultimately leave me feeling truly blessed to get to support them during this exciting time in their lives.
What is the most challenging part about your job at Samford?
The most challenging part about my job is learning how to give of myself to such a large caseload of bright, deserving students. At Texas my typical caseload at any given time was about 20 student-athletes while now I average closer to 150 here at Samford. I constantly feel torn trying to support them all to the degree that I want to, and I’m having to humbly learn that the way I’m able to feasibly love on each of them may have to take different forms across the board and that’s okay.
What is one of your best memories so far while working here at Samford?
I was having one of the most monday-est Mondays, you know the ones I’m talking about right? I suppose one of my student-athletes had noticed that I was feeling a little down. After finishing up one of our consults he came back a few minutes later for no other reason than to bring me a large, steaming cup of O’Henry’s freshly brewed coffee--knowing how much of a no-shame, self-proclaimed coffee addict that I am-- to cheer me up. We have some awesome people in this Samford family of ours.
How would the student-athletes describe you?
My students tell me that I have a knack for choosing to always see the good in every person and every situation. I’m sure they’d also tell you that I can be a bit “extra” at times, especially when I’m pushing them to dig a little deeper. But hey, it’s because I see the potential for all of the good!
Final Message from Kalyn:
"Samford Athletics would not be able to do what it does for the young individuals of its family if it were not for you. The experience each student-athlete has here at Samford that grows them into the young men and women empowered and equipped to champion all of life’s blessings and struggles both on and off the field or court of play, is very much contingent upon your support. So, thank you. Thank you for seeing the potential in these student-athletes, in this Samford family, and investing in the success."
