Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat! Below you'll find our most recent Alumni Spotlight interview.
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Alumni Spotlight: Kylie Giel '22
Kylie Giel graduated from Pitt-Greensburg in 2022 with a BS in biological sciences and a minor in psychology.
What brought you to Pitt-Greensburg?
Growing up in Pittsburgh, I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a Pitt Panther one day. My father works close to the Greensburg campus, and he told me that he wanted me to tour it before I made my final decision. I decided to humor him, but quickly fell in love with the campus, community and the tight-knit nature of the relationship between professors and students.
Were you a commuter or a resident? Commuter
What activities were you involved with as a student?
I was involved with the tri-beta honor society, the science club and was also a peer leader for two years!
Did you have a favorite professor, staff member, coach, or mentor that really impacted your life?
Dr. Barbara Barnhart had the biggest impact on my time at Pitt-Greensburg. Between taking her classes and being involved in the science club, we spent a lot of time together over my four years. She was a mentor to me as well as a friend, and it’s a relationship we still maintain to this day.
Of all the classes you took, what is the one class you would recommend everyone take? Who taught the class? Why would you recommend it?
I have wanted to work in the medical field for as long as I can remember, but taking Abnormal Psychology with Dr. Russell Phillips had a major impact on me. After taking that class I decided to add a psychology minor, at first simply because I enjoyed the class so much, but also in case I decided to deviate and pursue a different career path. I am now one semester away from completing my masters degree in counseling psychology.
What do you remember most vividly from your time at Pitt-Greensburg?
Definitely S.O.A.R. in 2019 when I was a peer leader. It was so much fun to be a peer leader while students had orientation in-person and experience it with my friends.
What have you been up to since graduation?
I am currently working on my master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University!
How did your experiences and education at Pitt-Greensburg prepare you for life after college?
Pitt-Greensburg helped me prepare for grad school. The small size of most of my classes reminds me of those at Pitt-Greensburg and has allowed me, more-so than some of my peers, to be comfortable seeking help and/or guidance during office hours.
As an alum, how do you support Pitt-Greensburg?
I follow several pages on various social media platforms and keep into contact with several professors. Of course, I still rep my Pitt-Greensburg gear too!
What advice do you have for your fellow Bobcats?
Be curious and open to new relationships! Some of my best friends to this day are the ones I met during my freshman year, and I talk to several of my old professors. Develop relationships with your professors and fellow students! It makes the experience ten times better.
For fun:
What is the last book you read? Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
List 3-5 fun facts about yourself that most people probably wouldn’t know.
- I had 3 of my organs removed (pancreas, appendix & gallbladder) and a liver transplant, all before the age of 26.
- If I ever won the lottery, the first thing I would buy would be an at-home library!
- Most people in my life aren’t aware yet, but I intend to get my PhD in neuropsychology.