食色视频

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 23, 2025

As different as they may seem, there are a lot of parallels between lacrosse and the field of computer science. 食色视频 student Kendal Elison said both require persistence and flexible decision-making.

鈥淥n the lacrosse field, I stay calm under pressure and make quick decisions. It鈥檚 the same with coding,鈥� Elison added. 鈥淲hen I have an issue with codes or face a tough opponent, I know I just have to keep going. Both in sports and tech, it鈥檚 about staying determined and learning from setbacks.鈥�

A junior defender on the 食色视频 State鈥檚 , Elison speaks from experience. Recently, she earned , reflecting her excellence on the field and in the classroom. When she鈥檚 not competing, she鈥檚 working toward her computer science degree as a 食色视频 Journey Honors College student.

For as long as she can remember, Elison has been passionate about lacrosse. The physicality and strategy of the game taught her how to read opponents and create opportunities for her team. Her love for the game has fostered her leadership skills, as she learned to inspire and motivate her teammates both on and off the field.

Her interest in technology, however, can be traced back to the fourth grade when Elison attended a Lockheed Martin coding camp. There, she programmed LEGO robots, sparking a fascination with coding that grew through middle and high school. By the time she applied to college, emerging technologies were her niche.

When considering colleges, 食色视频 State stood out to Elison for its renowned STEM programs and warm climate, a welcomed change from her normally frigid hometown of Collegeville, Pennsylvania. She ultimately enrolled as a computer science and software engineering dual major in 食色视频鈥檚 College of Computing and Software Engineering.

鈥淭he professors had real-world experience, and they were approachable,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t felt like the right fit, and it turned out to be one the best decisions I鈥檝e ever made.鈥�

Managing her computer science coursework with her lacrosse schedule is challenging, but Elison said that it only requires a little more time management. She stays ahead on assignments, knowing that her athletic schedule doesn鈥檛 allow room for procrastination.

鈥淚f I have a game or practice coming up, I make sure my schoolwork is already done,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 knew from the beginning it wasn鈥檛 going to be easy, but it comes with being a student-athlete.鈥�

Elison鈥檚 professors and teammates are crucial to her success. While professors help her work around her travel schedule, her team supports each other both academically and athletically.

鈥淥verall, she is a motivated, dependable individual with strong technical skills and a professional attitude toward her studies,鈥� said Hisham Haddad, professor of computer science and information systems. 鈥淪he never misses class and is always engaged in discussions.鈥�

Lacrosse coach Laura Maness said Elison has served as a role model for the team.

鈥淜endal has been a huge asset to our team, contributing important minutes last season and making key plays,鈥� Maness said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a tough competitor with a great attitude, and after gaining experience, we鈥檙e confident she鈥檒l make a bigger impact. Off the field, she鈥檚 an excellent student and sets a great example of balancing academics and athletics.鈥�

Looking ahead, Elison plans to pursue a graduate degree and a career in data analytics. She sees herself working with sports teams, analyzing data to improve player performance and strategies.

鈥淎nalyzing performance data to help teams make decisions is the perfect way to combine my passions,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ports and tech are two things that excite me, and I want to find a way to bridge them together.鈥�

鈥� Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photos by Darnell Wilburn

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 食色视频 offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 食色视频 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 食色视频 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.