#PittsburghMe: Meet Kenny Sickles, Early Childhood Education Major

Meet Kenny Sickles

Major/Program: Early Childhood Education-A.A.
Graduation: December 2019
Hometown: Uniontown, Pa.
High School: Laurel Highlands High School

”Being part of a team is a great experience. There is a brotherhood between players and a connection amongst other student athletes. My time as a student athlete has given me some of the best memories I've ever had!"

Kenny Sickles

Why did you choose Point Park University?

I graduated from Pittsburgh Technical College in 2014 with a degree in computer aided drafting and went on to work for Loftus Engineers as an electrical designer. When looking to go back to school, I wanted a good program, campus and basketball team. I loved Point Park’s campus and I had a great opportunity to play on the men’s basketball team.

What opportunities have you had through your major?

Since I’ve changed my major to early childhood education in the spring of 2017, I have had numerous opportunities to gain observation hours and field experience hours. Last summer I had a great opportunity to work for Bright Horizons early childhood development center. I also teach dance four nights per week and am able to count that towards my required field experience hours. Point Park is great when it comes to placement in the education field!

Tell us about your experience as a student athlete.

It has been a great experience to be a student athlete at Point Park! It is hard to balance school, basketball and work at times, but it is all well worth it in the end. Being part of a team is a great experience. There is a brotherhood between players and a connection amongst other student athletes. My time as a student athlete has given me some of the best memories I've ever had!

Where is the most relaxing spot on campus?

My answer to this is much different than most. The most relaxing spot at Point Park is honestly the fourth-floor gym in the Student Center. For me, it's a place that I can get away, hit the weights and forget about all my problems.

What inspires you to be a great student, athlete and professional?

Without sounding cliché, what inspires me to be a great athlete is God and the ability to make a positive impact on those around me. I give practices, games, and workouts everything I have day in and day out. In doing so, it rubs off on those around me. In addition, I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. I go to class every day knowing that I am blessed with an opportunity to better myself. That alone inspires me. Finally, no matter where I am or what I am doing, I try to be professional. I do my best to make a positive impact on those around me. If I can do that, I am doing what I was called to do.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

I'd like to leave them with one of my favorite quotes from the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around every once in a while, you could miss it." I try to live by this. It is so easy to get too caught up in life and stop living. Between classes, pressure, stress, etc., we often forget that we are all blessed to be in college bettering ourselves, and making memories to last a lifetime! My advice is simple. Study, meet new people, don't be afraid to make mistakes, but most importantly, have fun! That's what's college is all about.

#PittsburghMe: Meet Kenny Sickles, Early Childhood Education Major Student Profile