CTK Alumna Finds Her Path While Growing as a Leader

Kaylin Hood CTK ’23 began her senior year this fall at St. Francis University (SFU) in Joliet, with a clearer vision for her career aspirations and the intent to continue in leadership roles within her college community. She anticipates graduating in the spring with a degree in studio art, becoming the first in her family to earn her college degree. She then intends to immediately pursue her Master’s in Social Work (MSW), and eventually wants to work as an art therapist in a school setting (possibly back at Christ the King).

When she originally enrolled at St. Francis University, Kaylin’s major was in elementary education, with plans to become a teacher. Her experiences in school settings during her sophomore year as part of a teaching practicum, as well as observations of school social workers, helped to identify her preferred path. “I realized that while I love interacting with kids, I am more interested in helping them one-on-one than instructing in a larger class role.” She had taken studio art classes and loved the art program and teachers at SFU, so it was an easy transition to become a studio art major. She also knew that St. Francis had a strong MSW program, and she decided to get her undergraduate degree in four years before working towards her master’s in social work, likely at SFU.

St. Francis was the first college Kaylin visited as part of a CTK college exploration day during her freshman year. “After the visit, I texted my mom that I wanted to go there. She said it’s the first college you’ve ever seen, and too early to decide. So, I visited a variety of other colleges, but I still wanted to go to SFU. Senior year, I went again and thought, “Oh yeah, I’m coming here!” She ultimately chose SFU because it felt like CTK to her, offering smaller class sizes, a manageable campus, and a family-oriented atmosphere. It was also close to home but far enough away for her to get the full college experience.

Kaylin has filled her college experience at SFU with leadership positions in the Black Student Association as Vice President, Student Government Association as President, Late-Night Crew as President (club related to events on campus from 6 pm –2 am, with the goal of keeping students safe), and the Mighty Minds (club promoting positive mental health).  She is an action-oriented person who likes  being involved in activities that give her the opportunity to get to know and advocate for other SFU students. She cites being a Resident Assistant (RA) since sophomore year as being especially rewarding. As an RA, she likes taking care of people and being a trusted resource when someone has a problem or just wants to talk. 

The busy senior has two on-campus jobs, her student government position and a receptionist role in the school’s art gallery, working 20 hours weekly. She also has worked at a Panera restaurant during school breaks for five years. She will graduate with a few loans remaining, but scholarships, grants, and her part-time jobs have helped pay for most of her college expenses. 

Last year, she was accepted into the Augustus Tolton Honor Society, an academic and leadership organization named for the 1st Black priest ordained in the US, which recognizes African American student scholars. The honor was personally rewarding for Kaylin, but even more meaningful to be selected along with Brianna Tankson, her freshman year roommate and CTK classmate.

Kaylin followed the lead of her older sister Kennedy ’21 in attending Christ the King. The opportunity to gain professional work experience attracted her to CTK. She made the most of her opportunity working for four years at Flavorchem Corporation, starting in marketing and graphic design. Her CWSP experience helped her to realize her love for art and design work. During COVID as a freshman and sophomore, she adapted to working remotely via Zoom meetings and online assignments. For her junior and senior year, she split her time between marketing/graphic design and human resources. In HR, she honed her communication skills and learned how to interact in a professional environment, taking on more responsibilities as she proved herself capable. Kaylin keeps in touch with her Flavorchem supervisors and uses what she learned working there in her roles in various SFU clubs. 

Kaylin acknowledged the CTK teachers and staff members that contributed to her growth. Like at SFU, Kaylin was actively involved in multiple activities at CTK, including as a Student Ambassador, National Honor Society member, Peer Minister, Praise Dancer, KOH speaker, mathlete, and yearbook staff member. Her CTK experiences started to build her confidence and communication skills, but at SFU, her initiative and growth as a leader have expanded. “At CTK, I was part of things but didn’t take as much of a leadership role – now I’m often the first to say I’ll do that. I feel like I have influence at SFU. I’m not just a passenger; I’m leading the way.”

She highlighted her CTK service experiences, including her summer service immersion at Nazareth Farm in West Virginia as having a lasting impact on her. “Service has become a big part of my life. I want to give back; to help people to feel appreciated. It’s a good thing to do and makes you feel good knowing that you can make a difference in someone’s life.” At SFU, Kaylin took part in a spring break service trip to St. Louis to work at the St. Anthony’s food pantry, and plans to return during her next spring break. 

At her CTK graduation ceremony, Kaylin was one of two recipients of the annual Grad at Grad award recognizing the seniors who best embodied the six qualities strived for by graduates of Jesuit schools -  Loving, Committed to Justice, Religious,  Intellectually Competent, Open to Growth, and Work Experienced. She recalls her reaction, “I was surprised. I really appreciated receiving the award. It let me know I had made an impact on other students, faculty, etc., and that people saw something in me!”

During her senior year at SFU, the already busy student will be applying for local internships, in addition to her MSW graduate program applications. She would like to start a club. Looking ahead, she is interested in being a social worker in a high school and pursuing certification in art therapy.  She’s open to the possibility of teaching art at CTK or lending her support to the school. She recently volunteered at a CTK event: “I really love CTK. I want CTK to be prosperous and go for as long as possible. Anything I can do to help students and the school to grow, I want to do that. That keeps me coming back!”