Katie is a full-time working mother of four. She has two young daughters: Everiee (3) and Alyx (1) as well as two step-children, Rilee (13) and Colton (9). She is also blessed with a guardian angel son, Turner. Katie was born in Germany to a military family, where she lived until she was 7. Most of her life she lived in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and claims this is as home. She obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma in International Relations (Boomer!). Her studies permitted her to continue to travel abroad (as she began her life), studying in Spain (siestas Y’all!), China, and Peru. Katie moved to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University as a Ph.D. student. She never planned to stay in the cotton-filled county for more than a few years but met someone that matched her strengths and accepted her baggage and has been here now for almost ten years.
Katie works at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, managing institutional accreditation. She is also still working on finishing her Ph.D. (SO close! Yes, do the math, I know it’s time). When she is not working or writing her dissertation, she is playing dress-up with the little girls and attending extracurriculars for the big kids. She also enjoys sewing and gardening, when the time permits. She is active in the community as a member of the Junior League of Lubbock and also serves as a CASA Advocate.
She is an utter introvert with a semi-unbelievable story. As a private person, she is anxious to share her life but is excited about the opportunity. Katie hopes that her posts will help those going through difficult times in their life and that they will encourage resilience, hope, and even laughter.
Embody positivity and perseverance. Every day is a blessing, don’t take it for granted.
Why Lubbock?
I came to Lubbock for graduate school with the plan of being here for 3 years, maximum. My program took me longer to complete (and I’m still aiming for completion). I met and married a man with children and we’re still here almost 10 years later.
What are the best things about Lubbock?
1) Traffic (or lack thereof), 2) People, 3) Values, 4) Mexican food, and 5) opportunity. Maybe in that order, maybe not.
What would you change about Lubbock?
1)Tolerance (or lack thereof), 2) Level of brown (dirt, everywhere, so much dirt), 3) Outsider perception, 4) Educational/fun activities available, and 5) the level of flat that allows the sun to pierce your eyes to the point where you are driving blind.
