To My Alabama Family

Last Friday launched the next group of MBA candidates at The University of Alabama and I found myself quite emotional. As my boss was busy dealing with the kick-off, I was in my apartment in DC handling the analytics, press release, and communication to students and corporate partners. For the last 5 years, I have been an integral part of the corporate partnerships office at the University of Alabama, Manderson Graduate School of Business . I have worked with over 1,000 students and 500 corporate partners, hosted incredible companies on-campus and grown in so many ways. It has been an honor to work for my alma mater and serve the business graduate students in countless ways.

In the background of work that day, I listened to Connie Chambers 's #BamaMeansBusiness podcast episodes, hosted by Cole Stevens . The two episodes cover Connie Chambers 's journey to Manderson, her work in Corporate Partnerships and how her personal life intertwines with professional work. Over the last 5 years of working for her, Connie Chambers and I have become close personally and professionally. I don’t think people know just how hard we work.?

Often, I find myself in awe of Connie Chambers 's desire to better everyone around her. I always joke that we do the work of 7 people, but we’ve managed over the last 5 years with our small team. When explaining how we work so well together I say, “Connie has step 9 and 10 figured out, I manage to get things kicked off and work through steps 1-3 and then we re-group and work through steps 4-8 together.” That’s how a team works and we were an incredible team.?

Each year, Connie and I would sit down to decide what our main focuses were going to be for the year. Many times, our top priorities were a CRM, Profiles for Manderson Students, and a young alumni board. The first goal was achieved after years of recording our touches through an ~innovative~ 谷歌 form system!! The next goal was built out during COVID (WFH era) and now we have a software that enables Corporate Partners to view candidates powered by 12twenty . The latter goal is in the works to be piloted soon….so stay tuned!?

Throughout my 6 years at The University of Alabama , I have taken advantage of every opportunity, from Student Alumni Association, University of Alabama Student Government Association , Kappa Alpha Theta Headquarters , Culverhouse College of Business LIFT Program, Culverhouse Business Honors Program (BHP), Culverhouse and Manderson organizations and beyond. I have been impacted by countless mentors, faculty/staff, peers, and lifelong friends in an incredible way.?

If you were to look back at sophomore year Kailey prior to meeting Connie Chambers , most people would say “an incredibly independent and driven individual”. Now, I hope they say, “Incredible Team Player who strives to meet organizational and individual goals”. Connie did that. Connie has shaped me into the woman I have wanted to become. I owe it to the Culverhouse College of Business , BHP, Connie Chambers , University of Alabama, Manderson Graduate School of Business , Lisa McKinney, Dave Heggem , Sarah Rumfelt and so many more for shaping me into the professional and woman I am today.

I never believed choosing Alabama in September 2015 that my life would look as it does in 2022. As a 10 year old, I dreamed of living in #DC and I never thought I would ever leave Texas for college. Fast forward, I finished my BS in Accounting and earned an MBA in Business Analytics from UA, completed the four CPA exams, and have an address on Pennsylvania Ave. You always hear about “ #Legends ” at The University of Alabama ; Bear Bryant, Nick Saban, Dana Duckworth , Marillyn Hewson , and I could go on for centuries listing them! One day, I hope my impact on this world will have me listed up there with them.?

The Capstone looks different now from when I started and I have grown to embrace change as ambiguity is a HUGE buzzword in our corporate partnerships office. As I begin my next journey, I owe most of my success to my family ( Kristin Anderson , Geffrey Anderson , Kurt D. Dow , Chris Dow , Kelsey Dow, PT, DPT, OCS Kamryn Dow , LinkedIn-less Tori & Jack), sorority sisters, Manderson coworkers, UA, mentors and myself. I know the legacy I have left at the Capstone will live beyond just my work as I continue to serve in advising roles.?

Here’s to many more years of living out my dreams and challenging myself to be better. I will leave this note with a quote from the great Teddy Roosevelt, “Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.”

Roll Tide Forever,

Kailey