Kearsten Peoples is a dedicated professional in academic advising and student-athlete
development, focused on helping athletes excel academically, athletically, and personally. With a
strong foundation in academics and a deep passion for student-athlete success, Kearsten has built
a career supporting athletes in balancing their academic responsibilities with the demands of
competitive sports. She works tirelessly to ensure that student-athletes not only graduate but also
thrive beyond their athletic careers. With her experience in higher education and athletics, she
has a proven track record of enhancing student success through innovative programming,
mentorship, and academic support.

Kearsten’s journey began at the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor of
Science in Human Development and Family Studies and went on to receive a Master of Arts in
Human Environmental Sciences, focusing on Youth Development. During her time at Mizzou,
Kearsten was a standout Division 1 student-athlete on the Track and Field team, excelling both
on the field and in the classroom. She was an eleven-time All-American, a four-time SEC
Champion, and the 2015 NCAA Weight Throw Champion. While earning multiple academic
honors such as being named to the SEC Honor Roll each year from 2012 to 2015. Her experience
balancing the pressures of academics and athletics inspired her to pursue a career helping other
student-athletes navigate similar challenges.

Kearsten’s dedication to mentorship extended to her work as a Post-Graduate Intern at the
University of Florida, where she helped organize career fairs for student-athletes, facilitated
professional development workshops, and provided one-on-one career coaching for seniors
preparing to transition out of college sports. While in this role, Kearsten also served as an
assistant academic advisor with a caseload of students.

At Southern Utah University, she served as the Student-Athlete Development Coordinator and
Academic Advisor, where she advised the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, organized
workshops on financial planning, and helped athletes with resume-building and career
development. Kearsten also coordinated community service efforts for over 500 student-athletes.

Kearsten’s experience also includes a stop at University of South Carolina where she was the
academic coordinator for track and field. In this position, she worked with student-athletes to
track academic progress, coordinate tutoring, and ensure compliance with NCAA rules. Her
work has consistently focused on helping athletes succeed academically, while maintaining a
strong connection to their sports teams and coaches.

Before her current position, Kearsten worked at the University of Missouri as the Assistant
Director for Academics, where she oversaw academic support for Gymnastics and Men’s and
Women’s Track and Field. She helped create leadership programs, organized study hall
schedules, and developed personalized academic plans for student-athletes to ensure their
success both in and out of the classroom. Kearsten also led curriculum development for monthly
leadership groups, giving athletes the tools they need for future success.

Currently, Kearsten serves as the Assistant Director for Football at Florida State University,
where she provides academic support to the football team. In this role, she is responsible for
monitoring the academic progress of players, coordinating study hall sessions, and ensuring that
student-athletes are staying on track to meet NCAA and university academic standards. Kearsten
works closely with the football coaching staff, providing them with regular academic updates
and helping players navigate their academic schedules.

Kearsten believes in taking a holistic approach to student-athlete development, ensuring that
athletes are not only excelling in their sports but also preparing for life after graduation. She is
dedicated to providing the support and resources student-athletes need to achieve their academic,
athletic, and professional goals. Kearsten continues to have a significant impact on the lives of
student-athletes, helping them build a strong foundation for success both on and off the field. Her
work is driven by her belief in the importance of mentorship, leadership, and comprehensive
development, and she strives to create an environment where student-athletes can thrive in all
aspects of their lives.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music/Audible, or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 11. Seasons 1- 10 and season 11 (through December 2025) can be found on 200plus.expert.