Leading On and Off the Field: Emiley Kennedy

The Humans of Mays Business School series highlights excerpts from conversations with exceptional individuals at Mays who make a lasting impact through their leadership, drive, and dedication. Each story brings to life the diverse journeys, challenges, and triumphs that shape the Mays community. By sharing these unique experiences, we aim to inspire personal and professional growth within our halls and share the origin stories of today’s and tomorrow’s business leaders.

Whether they’re in the classroom, around campus, on the field, or through extracurriculars, Mays students demonstrate a commitment to excellence and service. In this edition, we’re proud to feature Emiley Kennedy, an undergraduate management major and softball player. Emiley is a true embodiment of the Aggie Spirit and the leadership skills we cultivate at Mays.

Life as a Student Athlete

“I just focus on one little thing at a time. My brain is very wired to just get it done and get to the point, but softball is not like that. So when something goes wrong I just move forward and tell myself the next thing will go right. It is a little difficult having so much on my plate, but I like having my hands full. I like multitasking. My schedule is a little challenging, especially because we are normally on the roads and starting Thursdays. It is hard to balance, but my professors are very helpful.” 

“I am proud of the fact that the last four years I have just been myself. The hardest part of college for me was juggling school and softball. This semester I had class from nine to noon, Monday through Thursday, which was difficult since we practice from two to five every day. Many times I questioned if I should change my major, but I stuck it out. I entered college as a Mays student and I am graduating from Mays. I am proud that I was able to stick it out no matter how hard it got.”

Empowerment at Mays

“I think the way Mays is structured and how supportive the professors are has really helped me be successful.  My professors have been extremely supportive, especially when I have performed really well in some of my classes or even been honest about classes I have not enjoyed as much. They have been able to tell me which fields they could see me in, which has been helpful when determining my next steps. I do have conflicting schedules with school and softball, and everything is so different. I am also encouraged to interact with people and develop as a leader through these interactions. Everything Mays teaches in class — be present, own a room — that is softball. I am the pitcher of the mound, I own the field. So Mays has helped me grow into who I am and my role on the team, and the welcoming environment of Mays has allowed us to develop as people.”

Support Systems

“My family are big athletes — I have an older brother and sister who also played sports, so we have always been a sports-oriented family. The support from my family is huge. They are my ride or die. They attend every game and I see them in the stands. I don’t know what they are going to do when I graduate. My dad said he is going to retire and follow me wherever I play pro. My parents are everything.” 

“Coach Ford is like my second mom. We have a good relationship. When she was first announced as our new head coach, I was the first person she called. She knows how my brain works and how I need her to tell me things point blank and straight to the point. It took a while to grow, but now we are inseparable.”

“Megan Gibson Loftin was my high school coach for a year, and she wore number 11. That is why I wear number 11 on the field. I play for her. She invites me over for dinner sometimes and it is such a special relationship. She has taught me to own my own, and be who I am — embrace that I am a good player, but also continue to grow.”

Texas A&M Impact

“My coach told me that when some people think of Aggie softball, they think of me. I looked up to All-Americans before me, so it is so cool to think that I am doing the same for younger players that look up to me. I will be in H-E-B and someone will come up to me and tell me they love me. I am a representative of A&M and this team, so I must act accordingly in every aspect. I always encourage young girls: ‘You know you love the sport, so keep growing. There are times you might struggle, but keep working and know why you play the game.’”

“We talk about the Aggie Core Values as a team every year, and we pick one. I always choose loyalty, because I always want my teammates to know they can come to me and that I support them 100%. I like to show it on the field and off the field. I think I am just here for everyone. My teammates come to me about anything and everything and I am a voice for them.”

“Davis Diamond has such a cool atmosphere. The lead donors Monty Davis and Becky Davis sit right next to the dugout so we always get pregame hugs, which is so special. It is such a good environment. People love to travel to see us too. We were just in Georgia yesterday and fans attended the game and said they were Georgia fans but came all this way to see me play and they were so excited.”

Looking Ahead

“Being a student athlete and going through Mays is a huge accomplishment. Not a lot of student athletes stick with it. I am graduating on time and I will continue with grad school. Being accepted into grad school was one of the biggest honors. What drew me to the Flex Online Accounting Program aside from the business aspect was how welcoming the leaders were during my interview. They mentioned supporting athletes and how I was already a Mays student. Overall, they have been really helpful with this next chapter of my life so I am excited.”

“In high school I was on a travel team for a select pro team. We went to Japan and it was a really cool experience. I am hoping to be able to play pro softball in Japan after graduation in May. I am going to graduate school through Mays’ Flex Online so that I am able to travel. I want to be well rounded in all areas of business while also playing overseas. Mays has been super accommodating with my plans to hopefully be abroad.”

“I want to experience a new culture. I have been in the United States and haven’t really gone far other than with my high school travel team, and Japan has such a different atmosphere. They have a different way of life and I want to experience their culture, so I think it would be super interesting to adapt to that way of life. I am also hoping to go to the Olympics in 2028. I want to end my career at the Olympics. That is where I want to hang up my softball cleats and officially enter into the business world.”