Augusta, Ga. - To say Kennedy McVean and Augusta University were made for each other may be an understatement. McVean grew up in Harlem, Ga, which just about a half-hour from AU. She said the Jaguars have always been part of her family and went to a countless number of games growing up. She knew early on she wanted to be a cheerleader for Augusta and also knew she wanted to be involved with sports her entire life. Then, the sports management program was added and the stars aligned for McVean.

"It was the perfect timing," said McVean. "I did my freshman year and when I was a sophomore, the program opened up and I was like, it was meant to be." 

McVean graduated in the spring of 2026 and has been working for Country Club Services for several years, even going back to her high school days. She helps manage transportations and logistics for some of the biggest events in the world. From the Masters, to LIV Golf Tour events, the U.S. Open, the New York Marathon and even Cheyenne Rodeo in Wyoming - McVean has traveled the country. She admits golf is her favorite sport and has built many connections through the sport. 

"You just see everybody. All different walks of life in all the different places you go to," said McVean. 
 

While she may have been working for Country Club Services before the sports management program was started at AU, McVean gives plenty of credit to the coursework she took throughout her days at AU. 

"Just learning how to manage and organize everything better. Coming out of high school you don't really know the logistics that go into it until you start learning about it and having to navigate things if there's an issue. Just being able to adapt, that's what sports management has taught me," McVean added. 

She readily admits her favorite classes with Dr. Steven Page were her favorites as he made learning fun. 

McVean also credits her time on the cheerleading squad as a learning experience as she was able to rely on her teammates. Then, as a sophomore, was named team captain a position she has enjoyed. 

"Even in high school I was captain. So I've always been that leader person."

This fall McVean will work with the volleyball squad and is going to work for Protocol and Special Events at AU. A position she's excited about.

Another thing she has learned in the sports management program is to make connections as they become beneficial on a career path somewhere down the line.

"I would tell any student-athlete, or anyone in sports management to find those connections. If you go to work Masters week, your boss, tell them I really want to do something like this the rest of my life," said McVean. "And just being able to be flexible in what you want to do and learn every little bit within sports management, having all those little things will help you in the long run." 

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