WKU Sociology & Criminology Alumni Profiles

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Waverly Harris '05

Waverly Harris first decided to attend WKU when she visited the campus. “When I first stepped on campus, it felt like home.” Everyone she met on her visit was friendly, and very few people from her high school had decided to attend WKU so she saw it as a chance to start her own journey. Waverly’s mother had also attended WKU. Waverly graduated WKU in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and minors in criminology and political science. She continued her education at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. There she earned a Master’s of science in education for applied behavior analysis and a Master’s certificate in conflict
management. During her last semester at WKU, she conducted an independent study where she worked on a research project with Dr. Drummond and co-author an article.

Additionally, Waverly studied abroad in Eastern Europe with the political science department for two summers in a row. The first summer she spent six weeks in the Czech Republic, two weeks in Russia, and used her weekends to travel to other countries such as Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Germany, and Hungary. The second summer she spent three weeks in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. When asked about her study abroad experience she responded, “I loved every minute of it.” She also participated in WKU’s Study Away program traveling throughout the Southwest region of the United States.

Currently, Waverly is employed as the CEO at Friends Life Community in Nashville, Tennessee where she has worked for over ten years. The company is a nonprofit organization that helps over 75 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization offers a day program for adults and teenagers to teach employment skills, life skills and self-advocacy. The goal of the program is to help participants grow personally and become more active in their community.

“I absolutely love the work I get to do. I get to work with an incredible team of people who are creative and driven to make change.” Waverly has the opportunity to create programs and challenge the individuals she serves to reach their full potential. She loves the creative capacity of her job and how she gets to see her visions come to life. Waverly did offer some advice for current and incoming students. She advised them to take their education seriously but to study what they love. “I would also tell students to not be afraid to fail and to be willing to work hard. Grit and determination is valued much greater than grades in your career.”

Outside of work Waverly enjoys spending time outside and traveling. “I enjoy seeing the world and meeting people in many different places.” She also loves living life with her loved ones and wonderful friends.