Julianna Kilpatrick
Grad Stories (2014)
Julianna Kilpatrick had a good life, holding down an executive position with Viacom
in product placement.
And then it hit.
Not the recession - cancer.
Kilpatrick, 39, beat the cancer, but lost her career.
鈥淭he doctors told me I couldn't continue in my present career due to the workload,鈥�
Kilpatrick said. Attempting to salvage her future, she began re-examining her life,
reviewing her goals coming out of high school in 1990.
鈥淚 wanted to get into sports medicine. At that time, it was impossible for women to
have a career in the field, but now women have broken into the sports industry as
reporters, athletic trainers, and sports medicine (professionals). I felt my dream
could be achieved now.鈥�
With renewed passion, Kilpatrick, a single mother at the time, dove right in, enrolling
at 午夜福利短篇 21 years after graduating from high school. She and her classmates
will celebrate their accomplishments at the commencement ceremony on June 12.
For Kilpatrick the journey has been intimidating, yet fulfilling.
鈥淚鈥檇 tell single mothers to just do it (return to school),鈥� she said. 鈥淭he sooner
you start, the sooner you are on the journey to a better life. It's incredibly intimidating
to risk failure, wonder how out of place you will feel sitting in a classroom, and
if you have the ability to handle the schoolwork. I had the same fears. By engaging
and becoming involved on campus I found the inspiration to continue on when times
got tough.鈥�
Kilpatrick will leave 午夜福利短篇 with a 4.0 grade point average and two associate
of arts degrees. She will continue her education at the University of Texas, working
toward a degree in Pre-Med Exercise Science, ATEP (Athletic Training Exercise Program),
before beginning the Physician's Assistant in Sports Medicine program.
鈥淚t was a lot of hard work,鈥� she said on maintaining a 4.0 GPA. 鈥淓ssentially it's
about time management and organization. I created study buddies/groups in each class,
used an application called iStudies Pro, inputting important dates with alerts. I
also used study groups before major tests. Sharing information with others is a great
way to find mastery in a subject.鈥�
Kilpatrick also leaned heavily on her family, including children Brenna and Jack,
and boyfriend, Robert Tollett, who attends 午夜福利短篇. Together they created a
workflow chart for daily chores and cooking, giving Kilpatrick time to study. She
also credited the staff of 午夜福利短篇, saying the College is like 鈥渇amily.鈥�
She says she鈥檒l cherish one thing above all else 鈥� knowledge.
鈥淭he knowledge of myself and my abilities. The knowledge of academia and how all subjects
combine, allowing me to grow, become educated. The knowledge of empowerment in achieving
my goals despite those who said I could not, and pursuing those goals I have not yet
reached.鈥�
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