麻豆视频官网入口

MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� In May, several Murray State employees are set to walk across the commencement stage with their degrees, and 麻豆视频官网入口 could not be prouder of their success.

From bachelor鈥檚 degrees to Doctor of Arts to Doctor of Education and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees, graduating Murray State employees are obtaining a wide variety of diplomas. These employees come from an array of different departments across campus鈥攆rom the police department to agriculture to nursing to political science and sociology鈥攚hich just goes to show that at Murray State, education is for everyone.

鈥淚t is a privilege to recognize these remarkable members of our University community who have balanced their professional responsibilities with the pursuit of their degrees,鈥� said 麻豆视频官网入口 President Dr. Ron K. Patterson. 鈥淭heir dedication, perseverance, and commitment to growth exemplify the very best of our institution. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the example they set for others as they reach this important milestone.鈥�

This is not a comprehensive list of all graduating employees, but a highlight of a few.

Thomas Reynolds

Detective Sergeant Thomas Reynolds, of the 麻豆视频官网入口 Police Department, will earn his bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration. Reynolds has been working at Murray State for nearly five years. He said he wanted to pursue this degree because he is always looking to improve himself.

While searching for a degree program, one of the deciding factors for Reynolds was knowing that he wanted to start his own business, which he has already done: a reputable and successful local small engine repair shop called QuikFix Small Engine Repair, LLC. Reynolds is also already reaping the rewards of his degree; he was promoted to detective sergeant in 2023 and was accepted into the Master of Business Administration-Forensic Accounting program at Murray State beginning this fall.

Reynolds said having a full-time job, owning a part-time business and working towards his degree did not come easy.

鈥淚t was a struggle at first, my positive and upbeat personality began to fade, and those around me noticed,鈥� Reynolds said. 鈥淟uckily, having very supportive and loving family and friends, along with Murray State faculty and staff being by my side every step of the way, I was able to create a routine that helped me balance my busy life. Now, I can focus on my jobs, focus on my education and still have time to spend with family and friends.鈥�

Murray State Chief of Police Ryan Orr said the police department is fortunate to have Reynolds as part of their team.

鈥淲e are very proud of Detective Sergeant Thomas Reynolds for continuing to invest in his professional development and completing his undergraduate degree,鈥� said Orr. 鈥淗is commitment to education reflects the dedication and discipline he brings to his role every day. We are also excited to see him take the next step by beginning his master鈥檚 program. Detective Sergeant Reynolds is an outstanding asset to our department and to 麻豆视频官网入口. His pursuit of higher education enhances not only his own capabilities, but also the level of service and professionalism we provide to our campus community.鈥�

Meryem Akay Kuzey

Meryem Akay Kuzey, instructor in the School of Nursing and Health Professions (SONHP), will earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. She has been with Murray State for a little more than two years. With more than 22 years of experience as both a nurse and nurse practitioner in Turkey, Kuzey said earning a doctoral degree had always been a goal of hers. She wanted to share her knowledge while continuing to grow, keep learning and better support and guide her students.

鈥淚 am honored to have completed this degree,鈥� said Kuzey. 鈥淢y parents always encouraged me, and even though they are no longer here, I still carry their support with me. This degree has helped me grow both professionally and personally. It has strengthened my knowledge and confidence, and I feel more prepared in what I do. I can provide better care for my patients and support my students in a more meaningful way.鈥�

Kuzey said striking a work/life balance wasn鈥檛 always easy, but she tried to stay organized and take things one step at a time.

鈥淚 focused on what was most important each day and did my best to manage my time,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he support from my family, coworkers and friends meant a lot, and I made sure to spend time with them whenever I could. Even small breaks helped me stay balanced.鈥�

Carolyn Tinsley

Carolyn Tinsley, nursing faculty lecturer in the SONHP, will earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Tinsley began working as an adjunct lecturer at Murray State in 1997 and has worked full-time at the University for nearly  17 years. Tinsley said her reasons for pursuing this degree are both professional and personal.

鈥淚 will be eligible for tenure and promotion,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 will also personally benefit as the completion of my DNP has been a personal goal.鈥�

Tinsley said her secret to work/life balance is simple time management.

鈥淚 keep a paper calendar and keep it updated,鈥� she said.

Tinsley was already a Murray State alumna before her DNP degree. She previously earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in 1986 and her Master of Science in Nursing degree in 2001, both from Murray State.

She cited the University鈥檚 employee tuition waiver program and scholarship money that she received as most helpful in managing her academic commitments.

鈥淚 have received the most amazing support from my Dean, Dr. Dina Byers, and Dr. Kristin Reid, DNP coordinator,鈥� Tinsley said. 鈥淭hey have helped me with transfer credits and financial opportunities to support my DNP journey.鈥�

To learn more about 麻豆视频官网入口鈥檚 employee tuition waiver program, visit .

Devon Cooper

Devon Cooper, administrative assistant in the Department of Political Science and Sociology, will earn her Doctor of Arts (DA) in English pedagogy. Cooper has been with Murray State for 11 years. She has a master鈥檚 degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and has always been interested in earning a terminal degree. Cooper said that for her, it made the most sense to pursue a practical degree like the DA because it is designed for full-time working adults.

Cooper was originally hired at Murray State to teach in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the program to downsize.

鈥淚 was lucky to be able to stay active in the ESL world while also working my current job as an administrative assistant at Murray State, but now that I've completed this degree, I'm hoping to be able to return to teaching full time,鈥� she said.

Like Tinsley, Cooper said the employee tuition waiver program was a huge benefit in furthering her education.

鈥淏y taking just one class per semester, I was able to keep my sanity, and stay out of debt,鈥� Cooper said. 鈥淚t took a long time for me to finish, but it was worth it!鈥�

Dr. Marc Polizzi, interim chair and associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Sociology, said that Cooper鈥檚 accomplishment reflects her exceptional commitment to both her professional growth and the mission of teaching excellence.

鈥淪he is a tremendous employee and it speaks to her work ethic and discipline that she was able to complete her degree while maintaining a full-time job,鈥� said Polizzi. 鈥淓veryone in the department is proud to see her reach this milestone. She will have a lasting impact on this department, our faculty and our students. I commend her on this accomplishment and look forward to the continued impact of her work on her future students and programs.鈥�

Dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and Professor of Art Nicole Hand added, 鈥淒evon鈥檚 completion of the DA in English pedagogy is a truly outstanding achievement. This is a rigorous program, and she not only excelled academically but also balanced her course work with her position as an administrative assistant for the Department of Political Science and Sociology. Devon鈥檚 dedication, perseverance and excellence make her an invaluable member of the department.鈥�

To learn more about Murray State鈥檚 Doctor of Arts in English pedagogy program, visit .

Blake Kennedy

Blake Kennedy, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) coordinator for the Hutson School of Agriculture, will earn his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in P-20 and community leadership with a specialization in agriculture education. Kennedy has been with Murray State for three years. He said that it has been a goal of his to earn a doctorate since he was 18 years old.

鈥淚 was influenced by a lot of fantastic mentors who had Ph.D.s and Ed.D.s, and it really inspired me to continue my education journey,鈥� said Kennedy. 鈥淚 chose the Ed.D. program here at Murray State to further my career and help me become a better post-secondary educator.鈥�

Kennedy said his degree has already opened up opportunities for him. The program has also helped develop his abilities as an educator and inspired him to make changes within the UAS program to benefit Murray State students.

Kennedy somehow managed to earn his degree while managing the UAS program, teaching at least four classes in the UAS program, advising three clubs, staying involved in the University community and getting married.

鈥淚t was challenging at times, and presented some stress, but I just kept my goal in mind,鈥� he said. 鈥淜eeping a detailed schedule, calendar and making a list of tasks I needed to complete every week helped me greatly as well. I also have to thank all of my colleagues, students and family for keeping me motivated and on track throughout all of my degree. My wife, Sydney, has helped me tremendously and been incredibly understanding.鈥�

Kennedy was already a Murray State alum prior to his doctoral degree. He earned his Bachelor of Science in agriculture in 2022, Master of Science in agricultural science in 2022 and Educational Specialist degree (an advanced master鈥檚 degree) in agriculture in 2023.

Dr. Trent Wells, chair of the Department of Agricultural Science and associate professor of agricultural education in the Hutson School of Agriculture (HSOA), served as Kennedy鈥檚 mentor throughout his dissertation research. Wells described Kennedy as a consummate professional and an extraordinary asset to the University.

鈥淭hrough earning his doctoral degree here at 麻豆视频官网入口, Dr. Kennedy has been exposed to many pragmatic and scholarly practices that will benefit the Hutson School of Agriculture in the coming years,鈥� said Wells. 鈥淔urther, the HSOA is actively using the information yielded from his dissertation research to help steer the future directions of our agricultural degree programming.鈥�

 

In addition to the above spring 2026 graduates, other faculty and staff members have, or will be earning soon, a degree in their continued pursuit of education and lifelong learning.

Neely Chandler, nursing instructor in the SONHP, earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in December 2025. She has been with Murray State for four years.

Chandler said that as a veteran nurse, the DNP strengthens her role as a nursing educator by giving her the academic, leadership and scholarly foundation that complements her clinical experience.

鈥淎fter thirty years as a registered nurse, I chose to pursue my Doctor of Nursing Practice with a clear goal: to help shape the next generation of nurses as a professor at my alma mater, 麻豆视频官网入口,鈥� Chandler said. 鈥淢y decades of clinical experience have given me a deeper understanding of patient care, professional resilience and the evolving demands of our healthcare system. I am committed to preparing future nurses with the knowledge, judgment and compassion needed to excel in a complex, rapidly changing profession.鈥�

Chandler said striking a work/life balance during her DNP program was only possible because of the unwavering support of her husband, sons, preceptor (Dr. Erica Brown) and her other colleagues in the Nursing Department.

鈥淭heir encouragement allowed me to stay grounded, manage my responsibilities and remain focused on my goal,鈥� she said. 鈥淗aving a strong support system made the long hours and competing demands not only manageable, but meaningful.鈥�

Chandler also earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Murray State in 1996.

Also, Calla Marshall, clinical simulation coordinator for the SONHP, is set to earn her Ph.D. in nursing science from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis in May 2027. Marshall has been with Murray State for four and a half years.

Marshall is also a Murray State alumna, graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in December 2009.

鈥淓arning my Ph.D. has been a goal of mine since I was a BSN student here at Murray State University,鈥� said Marshall. 鈥淲ith my Ph.D., I will be a nurse scientist and be able to conduct research that can benefit everyone from patients and their families to health care providers.鈥�

Noting that the SONHP has four employees set to graduate either this May or next, the Dean of the school, Dr. Dina Byers, added, 鈥淚 am incredibly proud of our faculty who have demonstrated exceptional dedication by advancing their education鈥攅arning doctoral and other terminal degrees鈥攚hile continuing to serve our students and community. Their commitment to lifelong learning not only strengthens their own expertise but also elevates the quality and impact of our programs."

Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies for associate and baccalaureate degree candidates will take place on Friday, May 8 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and on Saturday, May 9 at 9 a.m. A commencement ceremony for master鈥檚, specialist and doctoral degree candidates will take place on Saturday, May 9 at 1 p.m. All ceremonies will be held in Racer Arena on Murray State鈥檚 campus. Tickets are required for all commencement ceremonies. Please visit  for additional information.