Kaitlyn Sennett, a senior at Kennesaw State University (KSU), is set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biology after overcoming significant personal challenges. Sennett, who attended Woodland High School in Bartow County, returned to her studies following a serious motorcycle accident in 2024 that left her unable to walk and required her to take a semester off for recovery.
“My story is not just about achievements, but about the growth, resilience, and service that define who I am and who I aspire to be,” Sennett said. “I’m grateful for the opportunities this university has provided, and I’m committed to carrying forward its mission as I pursue my career in medicine, striving always to transform lives through knowledge, compassion, and service.”
Sennett began working at age 15 and sought out colleges that would allow her to balance employment with academics. She ultimately chose KSU because it was close by and fit within the parameters of her Zell Miller scholarship. The decision allowed her to continue working while pursuing higher education.
“Kennesaw State kept popping up,” she said. “I did some more research and realized how well this school fit my lifestyle. I didn’t have to relocate to get access to a good education. It also fell within my Zell Miller scholarship, so all factors considered, it turned out to be the perfect school for me to study and get my education.”
With an early interest in nature fostered by her mother—a forestry wildlife biologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—Sennett developed a passion for biology. At KSU, she focused on molecular and cellular biology and completed an Honors project in immunology under Lecturer Sheila Marie Schreiner’s supervision.
Sennett took Schreiner’s bioethics course in Fall 2023 before enrolling in immunology for Spring 2024. Her accident occurred two weeks into that semester; although she considered continuing part time or online, rehabilitation demanded all of her attention.
Schreiner maintained contact during Sennett’s recovery period: “She displayed an immense amount of maturity and perseverance,” Schreiner said. “Kaitlyn kept checking in to see what she could do and never lost sight of her goals. She is showing her peers that you could go through hard things and still be successful.”
In addition to academics, Sennett advanced professionally at Harbor Freight Tools both before and after her accident—eventually becoming assistant logistics manager while maintaining full-time coursework at KSU.
“I don’t like to be bored.I guess that’s the simplest answer I have,” Sennett said. “My pet peeve is I want to learn a million and one things, but there’s not enough time in the day. But I have the desire to learn all the time.”
Upon returning for Spring 2025 classes—including Schreiner’s immunology course—Sennett engaged fully with research through KSU’s Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College program. Her project examined immune response during surgery.
Looking ahead, Sennett plans on earning certification as a surgical technician during gap years before applying for medical school with aspirations toward cardiothoracic neonatal surgery—a goal influenced by both personal experience with injury recovery and family health issues.
“At KSU, I was focused on my education, but that didn’t stop me from understanding who I am and what I want to be,” she said. “I just set aside a lot of traditional college life so I could live life to its fullest outside the classroom.”
