Kayliana Hammel ’25 is from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is majoring in biology at Holy Cross College.

“I have always wanted to be a dentist for my future career. Holy Cross does not have a pre-dental program, and biology had all my prerequisites I need for graduate school,” said Hammel. “After I graduate, I plan to go to dental school to become a dentist.”

“I chose Holy Cross while going through recruitment, based on the community. I liked being able to know people I am surrounded by and have close relationships with my classmates and professors. But along with the small community feel, I liked being able to experience a big campus community with our connections with Notre Dame,” notes Hammel.

“I am part of the women’s basketball team at Holy Cross. I have played basketball the majority of my life and am honored to be able to continue to do what makes me happy,” said Hammel. “I am also a part of the public relations committee. My role in this committee is flyer hang ups around campus. I am a part of this committee because I like to be involved in events that go on around the campus and let others know about those events. I also am a part of the Black Student Association. This group is important because it allows you to be in touch with people in your community and culture. I lastly am a part of Biology Club. It allows me to be close with those who are in my major.”

“A memorable moment that has made me who I am was after getting my license. My mom would work 12 hour shifts to provide for my brother and I. We both play sports and are busy with different practices. I had to step up and be able to help my mom with taking my brother places when she was busy. Stepping up to help my brother as another ‘parent’ figure made me gain serious responsibility. That led me to have that responsibility quality that I have now,” recalls Hammel.

“In the future, I hope to have my own dental practice and maybe go back to school to be an orthodontist,” said Hammel.