New Honors Advisor Senior, Lucy Kent-Bracken

Hello, LHC!  My name is Lucy Kent-Bracken and I am a new honors advisor in the Lee Honors College. I am excited to be here and look forward to being part of your WMU experience.

I am originally from Wisconsin, born and raised. I moved to Michigan to attend WMU, where I earned my B.A. in history and a minor in Spanish in 2014. I earned my M.A. in 2017, with focused research on American history and sport. Why sport history? As Nelson Mandela said, “sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to the youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” I find that sport is a tangible and relatable experience in American culture that shares a landscape with overarching themes in American history, including racial inequities and injustices, gender inequity, religious freedom, freedom of speech and expression, corruption, just to name a few.          

While earning my master’s degree, my research included ethical, financial, and legal corruption within large sport governing agencies – FIFA, IOC, NCAA, among others. I also explored American memory and women’s sport, in particular, the 1999 Women’s World Cup and its impact on women’s sport in the United States. I also had the opportunity to work with public historians and research the evolution of sporting stadiums in Detroit in the 19th and 20th centuries. 

I served as a graduate teaching assistant for several WMU courses including “Sport in American Culture,” “American Environmental History,” “Heroes & Villains in the Middle Ages,” and “Modern Arts & Ideas.”  I also served as a graduate research assistant which provided me the valuable tools and hands on experience working with expert faculty. My time at WMU set me up for success as a professional in higher education. I’ve had the opportunity to work with students at all different levels while working at learning centers, community college, and now back at Western Michigan University.   

I love to travel and enjoy the beauty of nature. Kayaking, camping, gardening, fishing, and reading are some of my favorite hobbies. You can find me golfing in the spring, summer, and fall months. I also love to play, coach, and watch soccer. When football season rolls around, I go back to my roots and cheer for my Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. I’ll always cheer for our WMU Broncos, and I’m slowly succumbing to my environment and becoming a Detroit Lions fan. But most importantly, I love, love, love my dog and cat!    

If you ever have any questions about the Lee Honors College or WMU, please reach out!