Justin Kume, a 2006 graduate who double majored in political science and public affairs, came to Muskingum from Marion, Ohio to play both football and baseball.
Kume explains his educational and career path post-Muskingum: “After I graduated, I attended Florida State University and received a Master’s Degree in Sport Administration. During my time at FSU, I was a graduate assistant in the NCAA Compliance Office and assisted in the investigation of a major infractions case. From there, I accepted a position as the Compliance Coordinator in the athletics department at Troy University in Troy, AL. After three years at Troy, I went to Auburn University and served as an Assistant Director of Compliance in their athletics department. While at Auburn, we won several SEC Championships in multiple sports as well as playing for the BCS National Championship last year in the Rose Bowl. Recently, I accepted a Director of Compliance position at Florida State and am in the process of transitioning back to Tallahassee.”
As a Muskingum student, in addition to playing two sports, Kume was a proud member of the M.A.C.E. fraternity. In fact, his first son, Mason, was “partially named” after the club!
Kume cites his time as a student worker in the Student Affairs office as important for him in “learning how to interact with administrators on a daily basis.” He also mentions that “the LAEs (Liberal Arts Essentials) have been instrumental in my day-to-day work as an NCAA Compliance Officer,” and “my experience as a student-athlete allows me to relate to our student-athletes in a way many other administrators cannot. When I talk with a football student-athlete about my time walking uphill a quarter mile in 100 degree heat during two-a-days, they know it’s real and [it] not only builds my credibility, but connects me to those student-athletes because I get the struggle.”
For Kume, several unexpected events helped to shape his time as a Muskingum student. “First, I never anticipated getting injured playing football and having to give up my baseball career. That really changed how I viewed myself. It is one of those things that I wish never would have happened but am thankful it did. Secondly, I never thought I would have minored in French. Dr. Morris really encouraged me that first year and made it seem like something I could achieve with a little work. Finally, I never thought I would have had the experiences I did as a member of Greek Life, specifically the M.A.C.E. Club. I met my best friends through the Greek system and really got my first taste of community involvement through some of the philanthropies with which we were involved.”
Kume has words of wisdom for college seniors about to make their way in the world: “Don’t be afraid to fail. You learn more from a loss than a win. If this means taking a chance and moving four states away from family and friends to achieve your dreams, go for it!”