When Kaylynn Tawbush transferred to The University of Alabama, she wasn’t starting over – she was continuing a family legacy while creating one of her own. Coming from Locust Fork, Alabama, Kaylynn was no stranger to the University. Her father and sister both walked this campus before she did, and as a business management major, she knew this was the right school for her too.
“I’ve seen what UA has done for them, so I wanted to be able to come here and have the same experience,” she said.
Like many transfer students, Kaylynn’s collegiate journey started closer to home. She attended Wallace State Community College where she gained a strong foundation to help her prepare to be successful at the Capstone.
“I knew UA had great transfer scholarships, so I wanted to be really involved at Wallace and just be able to stay at home and then come to The University of Alabama with the chances of getting transfer scholarships,” she said. “There were really great advisors that helped me along the way, and it made it really easy.”
Transitioning to a large university can be challenging, but Kaylynn quickly found her community through University Programs (UP). Her sister worked for UP during her time at UA and talked about how much she loved it, so when Kaylynn saw they were hiring new students, she didn’t hesitate to apply.
“She was also a transfer student, so that was her way of getting plugged in too. I saw everything it did for her, so I wanted to do the same,” she said. “They are such a great community to work for. They’re all really supportive, and being able to get plugged in with them was a good way to start making those friendships and having that close community.”
Now serving as an event programmer for University Programs, Kaylynn helps plan and execute events across campus, a role that helps her connect to campus and is connecting to her future career as well.
“I plan events and we get a certain budget and have to work with that,” she said. “That’s really helped me with my management and finances classes too because they all kind of relate. They’re always making us better individuals, and I feel that’s going to be helpful one day when starting my career.”
Kaylynn’s favorite part of her job is watching her ideas come to life. She says it is such a good feeling to see others enjoying the events that her team worked so hard to put together. Beyond event planning, Kaylynn says her involvement has helped her form lasting friendships and find a sense of belonging at UA.
“We’ve all gotten really close,” she said. “It feels like family.”
Reflecting on her time at UA, Kaylynn said she is thankful for the opportunities she’s had both personally and professionally. The support she has received has made campus feel like home.
“Everyone has been so welcoming and so kind and always willing to help you. Even though it is a big university, I’ve been able to make good connections with my professors,” she said. “Also, the University Programs pro staff – they’re all so loving and welcoming and being able to have that opportunity to come here and work for them has been nice.”
As we celebrate National Transfer Student Week, Kaylynn hopes that her story will encourage other transfer students to take that next step and get involved at the Capstone.
“Step out of your comfort zone and go for it! If you’re able to get involved, it’s going to change your world. Because right when I got involved, everyone was so welcoming, and I felt like I had a place here,” she said.