Hats say a lot about where Katherine “Kat” Reyes has been and where she plans to go. The significance of the traditional mortarboard that goes with her graduation gown is obvious—she will wear it with pride when she leads the UNC Greensboro Class of 2025 in turning their tassels at Commencement.
But she has a second blue hat, one she wore each time as a student orientation leader at SOAR. Like the creatively decorated graduation caps, it tells a story of Spartan success.
“I always wore a cowboy hat, and after the small-group sessions, I would let the students sign it,” she explains. “So, I came to UNCG with an empty blue hat, and I am leaving with a hat that doesn’t have any more space.”
One hat, two hats, three hats, blue hats!
She also leaves with her bachelor of science in kinesiology, minors in sports coaching and psychology, and big dreams of helping athletes reach peak performance.
“I always loved medicine, but I also love sports, and I could never get away from that,” she says.
She also hopes to leave a lasting impact here at UNCG and within her department.
Field Experience
For a student-athlete, an injury has the potential to throw future plans into upheaval. For Reyes, it set her future in motion.
Two injuries while playing soccer at Northwood High School in Pittsboro, North Carolina helped her get to know the team’s athletic trainer. “The impact that Jackie had on every single student-athlete was insane,” she says. “Seeing how much she cared for everyone, I knew that I wanted to do that as well.”
As Reyes explored paths into health care, those memories of high school athletic training kept calling her. That led her to the Department of Kinesiology in UNCG’s School of Health and Human Sciences.
“When I stepped on campus, I felt like I was at home,” she recalls. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! I have to be here!'”
Finding Her Home
Like many Spartans, Reyes is a first-generation student. Homesickness settled in during her first semester, which led her to move off campus and start commuting to feel connected to home. But she still questioned whether she belonged here.
Ultimately, the kinesiology faculty inspired her to press on, beginning with Donna Duffy, Ph.D., who taught her Introduction to Kinesiology class.
“I told her that I was filling out my transfer application,” says Reyes. “But she sat with me and helped me make a ‘pros and cons’ list. She really helped me get started on everything I’ve been able to accomplish.”
With renewed commitment, she immersed herself in courses and labs in the Coleman Building. She did a strength and conditioning internship with UNCG Athletics and researched under Louisa Raisbeck, Ph.D., in the applied neuromechanics lab. She also secured an internship with UNC Sports Medicine in Chapel Hill close to her home.
These experiences, she says, were made possible with the support of faculty like Duffy, Lauren Griffin, Ed.D., and Graduate Program Director Aaron Terranova, Ph.D., who all convinced Reyes that she was exactly where she belonged.
Positive Influence
As the first in her family to go to college, Reyes wanted to create a personal brand memorable enough to improve her access to opportunities. Everything from an alliterative name—”Kat in Kinesiology”—to the cowboy hat went into forming a friendly and easily recognizable identity.
She immersed herself in campus organizations. Besides SOAR, she joined the club soccer team. Grateful for the kindness and encouragement of her new kinesiology family, Reyes wanted to share that dynamic with others. She helped rekindle the Kin Club and organize social activities to bridge gaps between undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty.
They secured UNCG’s iBelong grant for The Heart of KIN, a community-entered group that brings together everyone in kinesiology for relationship-building experiences outside the classroom. “We did Friendsgiving-style event on Valentine’s Day,” she says. “Just faculty, graduates, undergrads, all having a good time eating, doing a scavenger hunt. It truly was the best thing.”
She also took that engagement online, becoming a “KINfluencer” for the department. “It started off as a joke,” she says. “Just me posting about my life as a first-gen student at UNCG studying kinesiology.”
One of the most striking things her social media followers notice is how fun and personable the people in the department are. “I was letting other students who weren’t kinesiology majors see what goes on in the department. I’ve gotten many comments like ‘Your professors are so cool!'”
Crowning Success
This fall, she capped off all that activity with yet another hat: the crown of Homecoming royalty. It’s an incredible memory to add right before graduating, especially after those early doubts about feeling at home at UNCG.
“That was probably one of the greatest honors of my life,” she says. “You know, as a first generation, you get a lot of pressure coming in from all sides. So, this win was, for me, the first time I truly felt proud of myself. I just wanted to see if I could do it. And so, I applied for the Homecoming court, and I won. I won alongside Mac Koffa. We’ve worked together at orientation. It was nice to give orientation another win.”
Reyes has no plans to say goodbye to UNCG just yet. She wants to return for graduate school. In the meantime, Department Chair Erin Reifsteck, Ph.D., and Adjunct Professor DeAnne Brooks, Ed.D., invited her to be part of a student panel at next year’s American Kinesiology Association conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Once I am certified, I will be working in the field as an athletic trainer, and then I’ll be back and getting my doctorate,” she says.
Additionally, her sister is now a student at UNCG, giving her yet another reason to stay connected.
As she reflects on all her accomplishments, she knows her family will share in the pride of this milestone. “This honor isn’t just mine; it’s theirs as well,” says Reyes. “My dad worked super hard to give me these opportunities, to have what he never had. And my mom dreamed of going to school. This is all for them. I’m beyond grateful.”
Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!
Graduates and their families are encouraged to share their accomplishments on social media by tagging the University accounts and using the hashtag #UNCGGrad. Visit UNCG’s digital swag page for Commencement-themed graphics and templates.
Mention @UNCG in celebratory posts on Instagram and X and @uncgreensboro on TikTok.
