Meet Kayla

How Kayla turned "going with the flow" into a purposeful path

For Kayla Hallman, a third-year information technology student at Florida A&M University (FAMU), her road to a degree has had many turns. As a first-generation student from Miami, she initially found the university world daunting, especially having to navigate it without help or advice from family. “I was very confused,” she recalls of her early years. “I was kind of just going with the flow and doing what I thought was best.”  

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Her journey was further complicated by several breaks in her studies due to financial barriers. While these pauses weren't by choice, Kayla was determined to use the time away from school to find resources that would help her do things differently when she returned. Now back at her HBCU — a place she chose specifically for the sense of community and connection with “her people” — she’s no longer just going with the flow. She’s leading with purpose.

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But she wasn’t alone in navigating her transition back to the classroom. To support her return, the university paired Kayla with InsideTrack Success Coach Bria — a partnership designed to turn her planning into progress.

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When Kayla first started working with Bria, she was hesitant. "I was selective," Kayla admits, worrying about whether she could truly open up in the way she needed. However, Coach Bria worked on building trust with Kayla right away, asking thoughtful questions or sharing about herself when appropriate — and the two quickly hit it off. Through their relationship — which includes a mix of Zoom calls, phone conversations and frequent text check-ins — Kayla moved from feeling closed off to becoming someone who proactively seeks help.

"Coaching helped me face the challenges that I faced by getting me to realize that I need to put forth effort and vouch for myself in any situation."
— Kayla Hallman, Student, Florida A&M University

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Building the skills necessary for school and life

To help Kayla feel confident juggling both school and life, Bria suggested practical strategies she could use to manage her schedules. They implemented a color-coding system for her tasks and a dual-calendar approach, where she now has a virtual calendar for casual daily tasks and a physical planner for her studies — ensuring her academic priorities stay front-and-center.

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These time-management skills have done more than just improve her grades; they’ve created space for her passions. Outside of the classroom, Kayla is a dancer and a model. While she previously found balancing these interests with school to be overwhelming, coaching has lessened that stress. Now, when she steps on stage to perform, she feels "safer and freer," knowing her academics are in order.

"Coaching has definitely helped me shorten my stress load when it comes to school so that I’m able to do the things that I love without worrying about the things that I need to do academically."
— Kayla Hallman, Student, Florida A&M University

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Becoming a role model for her family 

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As the oldest of seven children, Kayla knows that her success isn't just about her own career in IT; it's about the ripple effect she creates at home. "I feel like my role in my family is very crucial when it comes to setting standards and showing my sisters what and what not to do," she explains.

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When she eventually crosses the graduation stage, she knows it will mean "the world" to her family. Her journey of perseverance serves as a living lesson for her younger siblings. Her advice to other students starting their journey is rooted in that same resilience: "Learn about your resources before you step foot on campus... Don’t just come up with one plan because things don’t always go as you plan.”

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As she reflects on her growth from a confused freshman to a confident student-leader, Kayla envisions a future where this kind of support is universal.

"If everyone had a coach, I believe that the world would be a lot calmer, accepting, loving and open. I believe that everyone would be a lot [more] positive, being that we're here for one another."
— Kayla Hallman, Student, Florida A&M University