Hometown: Birmingham, AL

Degree: M.S. in Sport Administration & MBA (dual degree), 2011

What are the responsibilities of your current position?

Manage a portfolio of major gift donors, solicit major gift donations for athletic facility projects, coordinate all major gift activity to the Today.Tomorrow.Forever Athletic Facilities Initiative, serve as a staff contact for premium seating at Davis Wade Stadium, direct and coordinate donor signage within current and future athletic facilities, create printed materials for major gift donations as well as the expansion and renovation of Davis Wade Stadium.

How did your education at Mississippi State help prepare you for working in your field?

There is rarely a topic during the course of a work day that we did not cover in the Sports Administration program at Mississippi State. Sometimes, these topics were examined during a case study, class discussion or assignment and those exercises are the knowledge base from which I draw from when thinking critically in the office. Having that base of knowledge that is specific to the athletics industry is really an asset when first beginning a career in collegiate athletics and gives you a professional perspective of the industry as opposed to that of a fan.

What advice would you give to current students looking for internships or jobs in the field?

Avoid being discouraged when first applying for jobs and internships as this is a tough industry to find entry level positions. Please know that if you are persistent and get an opportunity to work in this industry, you will get to meet and work with amazing people and travel to different cities and sporting venues throughout the country. The passion of this industry is incredible and is the number one reason why people choose to enter this profession.