Kennedy Victoria Cockrel, B.B.A.’17

The Academic Advocate

Assistant Director, Consulting and Business Development Center, University of Washington

Kennedy Cockrel does it all. As the assistant director of the Consulting and Business Development Center at the Foster School of Business—say that three times fast—she’s strategically planning and managing programs for both graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Washington. 

Her ambition for higher education began at Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business, receiving her Bachelor of Business Administration in 2017—then her MBA from Wayne State University in 2020. Business school became the backbone for her developing career in the industry and where she found her passion for community empowerment. 

Cockrel’s focus lies in guiding Black-led, non-profit organizations and small businesses to success. In addition to her assistant director position, she’s the staff advisor for Black @ Foster, where she oversees the Association of Black Business Students and the University of Washington’s chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants. Through these organizations, she is further able to provide professional and leadership development opportunities that help her area of academia thrive.

Best Advice:

“Be resilient. Life is full of uncertainties and unexpected situations. By embracing discomfort, one learns to adapt and become more resilient in the face of adversity. It's a mindset that helps you navigate through life's inevitable ups and downs.”