In this episode of Da Collegiate Chronicle, I’m joined by Chemya McGhee, a former Disney College Program Participant representing Valdosta State University. We first met while working at Disney’s Water Parks, and since then, Chemya and I have continued our journey at Disney Springs through our program extensions. What started as co-workers turned into a meaningful friendship—and in this conversation, we go deeper.

We explore identity, growth, and how being a part of a community has shaped her college and professional experiences. From finding your role and trusting the process, to learning how your sense of self influences the spaces you enter, this episode is about becoming comfortable in who you are—even while you’re still evolving.

Because growth isn’t instant. It’s intentional. And it takes time.

In this episode of Da Collegiate Chronicle, I’m joined by Will Kersting, a transfer student from the University of Kentucky, now studying at the University of Cincinnati. We met in a Kinesiology & Health Promotion class at UK and have stayed close ever since.

This conversation explores what it means to grow into your identity, belonging, and the quiet confidence it takes to live authentically. We talk about navigating friendship, masculinity, academics, and the mental weight that can come with self-discovery. Will reflects on transferring schools, stepping away from spaces that no longer felt aligned, and learning to trust his gut.

At its core, this episode is about choosing yourself—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Because sometimes becoming who you are isn’t loud—it’s intentional. And sometimes the most powerful changes are the ones no one sees but you.

In this episode of Da Collegiate Chronicle, I’m joined by Jada Walker, a former Division I athlete at both the University of Kentucky and Baylor University, now continuing her professional basketball career overseas in Budapest, Hungary with Csata Kosárlabda.

We talk about what it means to grow up as an athlete—choosing dedication over fun, moving far from home, and navigating the transfer portal, handling the pressure that comes with competing at the highest collegiate level. From the highs & lows of college basketball to the lessons that take the a lifetime to truly understand, this conversation is about growth, confidence, and trust.

Because at the highest level growth isn’t promised—it’s demanded.

In this episode of Da Collegiate Chronicle, I’m joined by Justice Lowe, an alumnus of Northern Kentucky University and someone I grew up with back in high school. He’s now based in Nashville, Tennessee, living out his creative dreams as a touring content director for rising country artist Gavin Adcock—after recently touring with Dustin Lynch and Blake Shelton.

We talk about choosing to persevere through instability over stability, navigating the pressure of changing majors from something “safe” to something that once felt like a fairytale, and learning how to stay grounded through uncertainty. From moments of self-doubt to personal breakthroughs, this conversation explores what it really means to keep going when the path isn’t linear.

Because growth lives in the balance—somewhere between the lows that test you and the highs that remind you why you started.

In this episode of Da Collegiate Chronicle, I’m joined by Allison Vaughn, a former Division I athlete at Eastern Kentucky University and someone I grew up competing alongside.

This conversation goes beyond the game—diving into what it means to find your identity outside of performance and redefine your self-worth beyond wins and losses.

We talk about navigating pressure, comparison, and the challenges of being a student-athlete, while exploring faith, mental resilience, and what it looks like to stay grounded when everything seems uncertain. Allison shares her journey of learning to trust herself, embrace her individuality, and let go of the need to prove her worth through achievement.

At its core, this episode is about choosing purpose over pressure and learning that who you are matters more than what you do.

Because sometimes the biggest win isn’t on the field—it’s within yourself.

In this episode of Da Collegiate Chronicle, join me, your host, Cayla Coleman in another solo episode. I’m also your podcast creator & producer, as well as a former U.S. Youth Futsal National Team Player and the President & Founder of the University of Kentucky Futsal Club.

I talk about what it means to grow up as a student-athlete—choosing dedication over other entertainment, traveling all over the country and outside the country to represent my club and my country, and navigating the pressure and discipline at such a young age that comes with competing at the national level. From the highs and lows of futsal and basketball to the lessons that take an entire lifetime to grasp, this conversation is about effort, teamwork, and learning to trust yourself through every step along the way.

Because sometimes growth doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built season by season, right there on the court.

In this episode of Da Collegiate Chronicle, I’m joined by me, myself, and I for a solo episode. I’m your podcast creator, producer, and host, as well as a transfer from the United States Military Academy at West Point to becoming an alumni from the University of Kentucky.

I talk about what it means to grow up as an athlete—choosing dedication over comfort, moving far, far away for college and then choosing to move back closer to home for college, and navigating the pressure and discipline that come with competing at the Division I level in a military setting. From the highs and lows of college and college athletics to the lessons that take an entire lifetime to understand, this conversation is about choice, grit, and learning to yourself through every step of the way.

Because sometimes growth doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built season by season, right there on the field.