Staff Spotlight

Arielle Parker, Marketing Intern 

Name: Kayla Johnson

Degree(s): B.A. English, French, and Secondary Education (Marshall University, 2012); currently 2^nd-semester Master’s student in Higher Education at UK

Occupation: Study Smarter Seminar Coordinator, Academic Enhancement

Hometown: Gallipolis, OH

Hobbies: Road trips, watching Dance Moms and Walking Dead, undefeated Trivial Pursuit champion

Favorite Food: Anything Mexican

Music: I have a 90s Boy Band obsession. NSYNC all the way.

Favorite Movie: Aladdin, Pocahontas, and all the other Disney movies from my childhood

Pet: Miley, my talking cat

Favorite Restaurant: Hillbilly Hotdogs in Huntington, WV

Color: Green

Holiday: Thanksgiving

Best Place Traveled To: I lived in Amiens, France in 2011, but my favorite places I visited while in Europe were definitely Paris and Amsterdam.

Most Daring Moment: I once ran full speed for a departing train in Paris (luggage and all), and leapt on as it was leaving the platform. It was straight out of an action movie!

Why UK: I had actually never been to UK until I came for my interview with AE. I fell in love with how different it was from Marshall and decided that I wanted to try something new. Turns out, new is good.

Favorite Class at UK: EPE 555- Comparative Education

Favorite Teacher:  Dr. John Thelin

Advice to Others at UK:  Don’t close yourself off to new friendships. Instead of walking to class with your iPod on and your head buried in your phone, smile and say hi to everyone you pass. You never know who that person could be!

Favorite Part of Your Job: I love everyone I work with. From my colleagues to my students, I have made so many new friends and connections that will certainly come in handy one day.

Describe Working at Academic Enhancement in Three Words: unpredictable, stimulating, enriching

Favorite Quotes:  “Unless someone like me cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.” –Dr. Suess’ The Lorax

"It is our choices... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." 

- Albus Dumbledore,  Harry Potter