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One Kentucky State University student overcame the loss of family members and found her way on campus.

Holly Haynes, senior class president, a member of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge team, a tutor at the Thorobred Learning Center and the secretary for Progressive Nation, wasn’t always so involved on campus.

“When I got here, I was having a difficult time making friends, other than those I had through choir, and I felt extremely isolated,” Haynes said. “Rather than leaving after my first semester like I had planned, I decided to stay and trust that a friend group would come to me.”

Things turned around for Haynes.

“I am so thankful that I stayed because I have met some of the best people I have ever met and have friends that will stay with me forever,” Haynes said.

Prior to coming to Kentucky State, Haynes experienced the loss of her sister and brother.

“I lost both of them while I was enrolled in another school and their deaths really pushed me to leave the toxic environment I was in and come to Kentucky State,” Haynes said. “While coming to Kentucky State has helped me deal with the losses of my siblings in healthier ways, I have still been dealing with many issues concerning my family and difficult classes.”

Haynes said the biggest changes she’s seen in herself are becoming more social and stepping out of her comfort zone.

“Rather than simply being a student, I have taken on leadership roles and became more involved on campus,” Haynes said.

Haynes said she transferred to Kentucky State because of scholarship money available and the opportunity to challenge herself in an environment that wasn’t too close to home.

After graduation, Haynes hopes to earn a master’s in criminology and become an intelligence agent.