By: Nolan Alexander
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kaitlyn Louis is currently experiencing that unique twist of a sense of familiarity coupled with a new challenge. Her job, a lecturer in Kennesaw State University's WellStar School of Nursing, is new this semester after serving as a full-time nurse.
KSU, however, is far from a fresh environment to Louis, who is just a little more than three seasons removed from the pitch at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The former Kaitlyn Sterling was a do-everything warrior for the Owl women's soccer team. She played in 56 matches over three seasons doing whatever the program needed from her like playing the attack, manning the midfield, to locking down attackers on defense.
Today, she's once again doing a little bit of everything for Kennesaw State by teaching Holistic Nursing, a first-semester class, and simulations like Adult Health Nursing.
"I have always had a passion for education and have loved learning. When I was an undergraduate at KSU, I was blessed with many great professors who are still here," said Louis. "I thought someday that is something that I would like to do."
A 2018 nursing graduate of KSU, she pursued her Master of Science in nursing with a concentration in education. There, she reconnected with old professors, Dr. Jane Brannan and Dr. Anne White. Louis began teaching clinicals part-time and heard about expansion of the nursing program with full-time positions.
"It was a someday dream and then God presented the opportunity sooner than I thought. I jumped at the chance because this is such an amazing environment," she said.
On the outside looking in, everything seems to have fallen into place for the Marietta native. However, the first leg of her journey was crammed with difficulties.
She arrived as a transfer from Coastal Carolina after one season with the Chanticleers, and then redshirted in 2015 while recovering from a knee injury. As she began her nursing studies, Louis had to balance the load of a work-intensive degree and the requirements of a Division 1 student-athlete.
"There were a lot of days that I woke up at 4:30 a.m., did a full clinical day until 3 p.m., and drove straight to the soccer field and switched out my scrubs for practice gear. I was very grateful that they were flexible with me," she said.
"Kaitlyn is one of the most selfless people I have had the opportunity to know and work with. During her time with our team, she amazed me with how enthusiastically she attacked her mission to becoming a nurse. You could tell it was her calling by how much passion she had for the nursing profession," said her head coach, Benji Walton. "I'm so proud of the job she has done while working at Children's Hospital of Atlanta and thrilled for her to be coming back to KSU and share her experiences and passion even more with nursing students at Kennesaw State. Her passion for nursing will be contagious to these students and I have no doubt that she will be a tremendous advocate and mentor for these future nurses."
Her determination to graduate put her in rare company. She was the first soccer player to graduate from the nursing program and one of the first team sport student-athletes to as well, joining classmates Krisiti Piedimonte from volleyball and Emily Hallberg from lacrosse.
"It was definitely tough. I credit the support of so many people. Mindy Mager-DeBruce, Sterling Brown and the entire 925 family, Eileen Hatfield, and Tim Dombrowski all made an impact and encouraged me. I wouldn't be here without the support of people on both the athletic and academic sides," she said.
Now, Louis can return to the pristine pitch of Fifth Third Bank Stadium without leaving campus. She's especially looking forward to the Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night.
"I would love that. One of the many benefits of being back around campus is more freedom in the evenings. I'm looking forward to being in the stands more often. I absolutely love Kennesaw State. This is always where I wanted to end up."
