For Kayliana Hammel, the dream never wavered. From childhood aspirations to earning a spot at the Indiana University School of Dentistry, the Holy Cross College senior and women’s basketball standout is turning her lifelong goal into reality—armed with grit, gratitude, and a whole lot of heart. As she prepares to graduate, Kayliana reflects on her time at Holy Cross and the exciting road ahead.
Where are you going to school next, and what will you be studying?
I am going to Indiana University School of Dentistry to get my Doctorate of Dental Surgery. This is a four-year program, with additional years if I decide to specialize.
What drew your interest to the field? And what are your hopes as this next phase begins?
Growing up, being a dentist is the only career path I have ever said I wanted to pursue. I am happy that I get to complete my childhood dream and am excited to learn more about oral healthcare.
How did Holy Cross help prepare you for this next step?
The biology courses my freshman year helped me prepare for this next step. These were some tough courses taught by professors like Professor (Zhutian) Zhang. These professors taught me the importance of studying and finding a good study habit to succeed. This allowed me to excel in academics and be accepted into dental school.
With commencement around the corner, what is this moment like for you?
This is a bittersweet moment for me. My time at Holy Cross has been the best four years I could have asked for. I was blessed to have the best friends, teammates (as I was on the women’s basketball team), professors, coaches, and peers to make my time all the better. I will miss everyone, but I am so excited for this next chapter of my life.