May Graduation Spotlights: Kennedy Green

When thinking about Hardin-Simmons University and the type of alumni we strive to produce, Kennedy Green is the perfect embodiment of everything a Cowgirl should be. 

As a criminal justice major with minors in honors and psychology, she has been actively involved with both HSU and the criminal justice program. 

She serves as president of the HSU Criminal Justice Association and personal assistant for Dr. Karin Brown. She has also interned at the Taylor County probation office while working on her capstone project for the honors program, titled “Ethics vs. Optics in the Justice System: An Examination of the Impact of Metacognitive Myopia.” 

Around campus, she is the public relations officer for the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and a member of the Julius Olsen Honors Program, which offers students opportunities to engage in deeper discussions about the world around them. 

Although balancing all these priorities while maintaining her personal life can seem daunting, Kennedy knows it is crucial to stay disciplined and allow herself grace as she nears the end of her undergraduate journey. 

Coming from Dalhart, Texas, located in the northern Panhandle, Kennedy did not know what to expect on her initial visit with Dr. Brown. However, she knew right away that HSU was meant for her. 

“After meeting with Dr. Karin Brown on my first visit, I immediately knew I would be in amazing hands at HSU. I remember sitting in her office and suddenly feeling a calling to go there,” Kennedy said. 

The criminal justice program has exposed her to the deep complexities of the American legal system, along with the disadvantages many citizens face when dealing with legal issues due to financial instability. 

Her eyes were not only opened to these problems, but she also felt inspired to become a criminal defense attorney. In this role, she hopes to provide affordable services to defendants who might not otherwise have proper legal representation. 

“I have realized that many people do not receive this advocacy until they are already facing the justice system, and it made me want to be that person who is there in the most difficult moment of someone’s life to fight for a better path for them,” she said. 

When asked about a professor who made an impact on her academic career, Kennedy immediately pointed to Dr. Brown, head of the criminal justice department. 

“She has helped shape me into a true critical thinker and has been there every step of the way, turning me from a college freshman into a professional who believes in their own potential. She is seriously an amazing mentor, and I cannot express it enough,” Kennedy said. 

Kennedy will begin her master’s degree in criminal justice at HSU while working as a graduate assistant for the new moot court course and forensic psychology course in the criminal justice department. After completing her master’s, she plans to attend law school to pursue a career as a criminal defense attorney. 

She encourages present and future students to find and surround themselves with the right people in the HSU community. 

“Commit yourself to the right places and people, and I guarantee you will grow in ways you never imagined. There are a lot of amazing people here. Find them and let them work in your life,” Kennedy said. 

Congratulations, Kennedy!