General | 6/14/2024 7:25:00 PM

FRANKFORT, Ky. – he first Alumni Spotlight of the summer features Maria Joseph-King, a former women's volleyball student-athlete and 2005 graduate of Kentucky State University.

Joseph-King currently serves as a Statistician Expert at General Dynamics Information and Technology.

How did being a student-athlete at Kentucky State assist in preparing you for your career?
As a student at Kentucky State University, I was trained by passionate mathematical scholars who loved math for what it was. Namely, Professors Sue Foege and Robert Hebble's mentorship introduced me to opportunities that led me to my current career path in data analytics.
 
As an athlete on the Women's Volleyball team at Kentucky State University, my confidence and ability to perform in stressful situations was strengthened. There were numerous occasions where my ability to execute at a high level determined the fate of our match and/or season. In my workplace, I use this skill to make decisions and deliver quality against timelines.
 
What is your most fond memory of Kentucky State Athletics?
My fondest memory of Kentucky State Athletics was the support from the student body, namely Da Trap, at our home volleyball games! Prior to K-State, I had never seen this type of support for women's volleyball. Da Trap not only showed up consistently, they showed enthusiasm for our sport and love for us as individuals and our unique skill sets. Da Trap named me "Crusher" and I loved it! I think more people knew me by Crusher than my real name.
 
What would you say were your greatest athletic and academic accomplishments at Kentucky State?
My greatest athletic accomplishment at Kentucky State University was being acknowledged by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference my Senior year (2004) when I was selected SIAC 1st Team All-Conference and SIAC All-Academic Team.
 
My greatest academic accomplishment at Kentucky State University (KSU) was participating in a summer research experience at the KSU Aquaculture center. This experience was pivotal in the trajectory of my future. The faculty in Mathematics Department arranged this summer internship, where I worked with Dr. Sidhartha Dasgupta on a statistical research project. Personally, I am averse to marine life and did not want to spend my summer with prawns and catfish...but I did it anyways! Later that fall/spring, I presented this research project at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities – Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) conference, where I earned the top award for my discipline and a summer internship to one of three institutions. I selected Iowa State University (ISU) based on the ranking of their Statistics Department, and this internship eventually led my earning a Doctorate of Philosophy in Statistics from ISU which has been invaluable professionally.
 
What advice would you give to current student-athletes?
Balance. Get what you came for (your degree), win the big games, and have some fun while you do it! What a PRIVILEGE it is to be a student-athlete at Kentucky State University. Sports present us with unique opportunities that we may not have had otherwise. KSU is filled with wisdom, love, and people who want you to be great. You are the face of KSU, and have the power to influence people's experiences of and perceptions about our institution. Onward and Upward!
 
Why did you choose Kentucky State? 
I wanted to attend a college that was far enough from home (Indianapolis) where I felt independent and free to come into my own, yet close enough to get home quickly when I felt homesick. Kentucky State University was the perfect distance from home, and I fell in love with the people and campus during my visit. KSU not only offered me a full Presidential Scholarship, but they also offered me an athletic scholarship allowing me to play the sport I loved while preparing me for my future profession. KSU invested in me like no other institution, and this is why gave my time and talents to Kentucky State University.
 
 
 
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