By Adriana Betancourt
For NIU student-athlete Kylie Schulze, the path to success has not always been linear, but that’s exactly what has made her journey so impactful.
A marketing major with a digital marketing certificate, Schulze is also a key member of the NIU Women’s Volleyball team, president of Chi Alpha Sigma and a member of the Athletics Captains Council. Balancing leadership, academics and athletics, she has built a college experience rooted in resilience, discipline and growth.
Originally beginning her career at Loyola University Chicago, Schulze made the decision to transfer after realizing it wasn’t the right fit athletically. Her connection with NIU Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Sondra D’Amore, who had previously recruited her, played a major role in that transition.
“I trusted her and the staff to help me have the best athletic experience after transferring,” Schulze said. “The program was just gaining its footing again, and I was excited to be a part of the change.”
Beyond athletics, Schulze was drawn to NIU’s College of Business and its emphasis on real-world learning. That decision quickly paid off.
One of her most impactful classes, MKTG 350 (Principles of Selling), helped her step outside her comfort zone and build confidence in professional settings.
“Even though I don’t see myself going into sales, I learned how to use my voice in business and gained experience from real professionals,” she said.
Much of Schulze’s mindset today is rooted in her upbringing, especially the influence of her dad. Through introducing her to volleyball and launching his own club, VC United, Schulze’s dad showed her what it looks like to pursue something with purpose.
“Watching him build something from the ground up inspired me to go into business,” she said. “More than anything, he showed me what it means to be a servant leader.”
That same mindset carries into how Schulze approaches her day-to-day life. As a Division I student-athlete, time management is everything.
“I stay really structured and plan out my week ahead of time,” she said. “It’s about discipline, accountability and using every moment you have.”
But her journey hasn’t been without challenges. After experiencing an injury that required an eight-month recovery, Schulze was forced to step away from the game she loves.
“You go from competing every day to starting over with basic movements,” she said. “Mentally, that was the hardest part. You feel disconnected and question your progress.”
Despite that, she found growth in the process.
“It taught me patience and resilience. I had to focus on small wins every day,” she said.
Returning to the court brought a new perspective.
“It was a mix of excitement and nerves,” she said. “But once I got back into it, I remembered why I love the sport. It made me so much more grateful.”
Through it all, Schulze has continued to build a strong foundation not just as an athlete, but as a future business professional. Her advice to other student-athletes is simple, but powerful: “Treat your sport like your first real job. Be consistent, build relationships and take advantage of networking opportunities early.”
Looking ahead, Schulze hopes her legacy at NIU goes beyond stats or accolades.
“I want to be known as someone who was consistent, hardworking and a great teammate,” she said. “Not just for what I did on the court, but for how I showed up every day.”
