S enior SPOTLIGHT

schoolwork, rehearse with Cumberlands’ jazz ensemble, and work 36 hours per weekend as an EMT with Whitley County EMS. When he was lucky, work wasn’t too busy, and he could catch some extra z’s on the break room beds during his shift.

With passion and experience in two very different arenas –healthcare and theatre – Skyler isn’t quite sure what direction to turn now that he has graduated. There are several roads he could take: pursue a master’s degree in fine arts, get a job with an acting company in his hometown, enroll in a conservatory, or explore several different options in healthcare. He’s hoping to someday combine his passions and write dramas that cover what it’s like to work in EMS.

“That’s a certain community that’s not been as able to communicate its feelings, experiences, and ideas through theatre, or even much art in general,” Skyler said. “There are some movies and TV shows, certainly, but they aren’t fully capturing the essence of it, in my view. They have a general idea, but I have specific experiences.”

Fortunately, there are overlapping factors among public health, EMS, and theatre. Communicating effectively with people who have different mindsets and different goals… being able to think of many things at once and remain composed… educating others on necessary information and inspiring them in the process… and so on. With the past four years under his belt and a lifetime of experience leaping into new opportunities, Skyler is prepared to take another plunge and see where the current takes him.

How to completely change your life in five seconds.

The underestimated importance of high-fives.

And more life-changing, research-backed information the audience didn’t know they absolutely needed to help them live a more abundant life.

Cumberlands students and community members alike heard it all straight from Mel Robbins herself this spring at the annual Excellence in Leadership event, sponsored by Forcht Group of Kentucky.

Mel Robbins is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and #1 ranking-podcast host. She is one of the most-booked speakers in the world and has worked with leading brands from around the globe. Her messaging is personal, encouraging, and educational, offering tools and motivation that have improved the lives of millions. Her speech engaged listeners of all ages, prompting laughter as well as consideration. Mental gears whirred as she explained the neuroscientific reasoning behind a life-altering method she created during the lowest point in her life and dubbed “the five-second rule.” In short, when a person is faced with a task they know they should do but don’t feel like doing, if they count backward from five to one and then “launch” into action, they are better propelled toward the task. In other words, giving our brains five seconds to reset helps push us toward action. When done consistently, applying the five-second rule can gradually change a person’s life for the better.

Need to exercise? 5-4-3-2-1, GO! Need to apply to a job? 5-4-3-2-1, CALL! Need to end a toxic relationship? Or decide to quit drinking alcohol? Or start a new savings account? 5-4-3-2-1, DO IT! As Mel put it, things that you know are good for you and that you really should do but feel stuck doing something else instead – all those unhelpful things can start falling away from your life, one by one. All it takes is five seconds.

Prior to Mel’s speech, Dr. Larry L. Cockrum, university president, announced that the university’s new Doctor of Physical Therapy program was officially renamed to the Dr. Connie D. Hauser Doctor of Physical Therapy program, in honor of the female PT pioneer who founded PT Pros and currently serves as the company’s CEO. Dr. Hauser has passionately served Kentucky and advocated for PT at state and national levels for nearly 50 years. She also played an integral role in the creation of Cumberlands’ new DPT program.