Related Content
CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID
This feature is part of our series of profiles showcasing members throughout the CoSIDA membership during the celebration of CoSIDA Membership Recognition Week for 2019. See more features at CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID.
Kiaira Cooper – University of Kansas, Assistant Communications Director
by Laurie Bollig – CoSIDA Director of Membership Engagement
Kiaira Cooper is proof-positive that CoSIDA membership has its benefits.
Just a few years ago, the 28-year-old was an assistant basketball coach for her alma mater, Covenant College, in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Today, she’s at Kansas – a Power 5 school – as the women’s basketball SID.
In between, Cooper has been a great example of how a CoSIDA membership helps SIDs grow professionally and personally. She’s made the most of her CoSIDA membership by participating in the mentorship program, attending the convention, participating in the Academic All-America® awards program and networking, networking, networking.
Not surprisingly, the self-proclaimed introvert did not think she was doing the whole networking thing right.
Cooper, third from right, with fellow CoSIDA attendees and ESPN’s Maria Taylor (third from left) during the ESPN Party at the 2018 CoSIDA Convention in National Harbor, Maryland.
Cooper told the story of introducing herself to ESPN reporter and Jake Wade Award winner Holly Rowe at the 2019 CoSIDA Convention. At the time, Cooper was at the University of Idaho. Fast forward four months, and Cooper - now at KU - found herself driving Rowe from the Big 12 women’s basketball media day event in Kansas City to Lawrence where Rowe would speak to Jayhawk student-athletes on the use of social media. Cooper said she was so nervous about getting Rowe to Lawrence safely that she almost didn’t say anything during the trip. But as they began to chat, Rowe remembered meeting Cooper in June.
“Networking is a big lesson I’ve learned. I would not be where I am today without networking. At first I thought I was doing a horrible job at networking. That I didn’t know how to do it and wasn’t seeing any fruit from it. Oh man, was I wrong,” Cooper said. “When the Kansas opportunity came - that’s when I finally knew I was doing something right with networking and building relationships.”
Cooper credits her first mentor in the CoSIDA mentorship program - Akilah Laster (now at Tennessee as assistant media relations director) - for giving her the push she needed to introduce herself to people at the convention and to speak up for herself - another huge career lesson Cooper has learned.
“Invest in yourself and get to know the people you work with, at your institution and at others. First, invest in yourself—it’s important that you see your own worth,” Cooper said. “You have to champion yourself sometimes. Don’t wait around for others to see your light, shine bright all the time. That comes with always learning and pouring into yourself. If you want to go to a conference because your role model is there, find a way to get there. Don’t let controllable obstacles get in your way.”
Cooper (yellow sweater) attended the 2018 NCAA Emerging Leaders Symposium in Indianapolis.
During the 2018-19 academic year, Cooper’s stint in Moscow as the women’s basketball SID at Idaho provided one of her proudest accomplishments as an SID to date. And, is another example of how she leveraged her CoSIDA membership.
Cooper nominated Idaho standout Mikayla Ferenz for Academic All-America® honors. Ferenz not only won first-team honors, she was also voted the Division I women’s basketball Academic All-America® of the Year.
“Being able to help a student-athlete receive the CoSIDA Academic All-America of the Year (team member) award last year,” Cooper offered when asked about an accomplishment that makes her proud. “The best part was telling her that she got the award and seeing her face light up. She knew the type of athletes before her that won the award because she researched it and we told her. I think she cherishes that award as much as her championship rings.”
The move from Moscow to Lawrence, gave Cooper the opportunity to move closer to family...and Chick-fil-A.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Cooper’s grandparents live in the KC suburb of Grandview. Although she moved to Atlanta as a child - where she developed her affinity for Chick-fil-A sweet tea - she spent many summers in Grandview with her grandparents.
To know Cooper as a person, it probably helps to understand that she rarely wears her emotions on her sleeve. She is quiet and calm on the outside, but on the inside, she’s always thinking about what she says and how her actions will be interpreted by her predominantly white coworkers. She’s well aware of the lack of diversity within CoSIDA and how people of color crave a safe space in the work environment. It’s this safe space she references that she believes will go a long way towards keeping talented men and women of color in the athletics communications profession.
Cooper is grateful for the experiences she has had so far in her career. She’s cognizant of the role she will play in helping CoSIDA become a more diverse, stronger collection of members. And, she’s excited to be in Lawrence, Kansas, where there is tremendous opportunity for growth...and a Chick-fil-A right down the street.
A trio of attendees at the 2018 Women’s Leaders in College Sports national convention in Atlanta (L to R): Megan Sawatzky, Saint John’s (Minn.) assistant facilities coordinator, Cooper and Kayla Lawrence, formerly at Bryn Mawr College.
How do you have fun at work?
I like to play noon ball (pickup basketball) and I also love to just walk around to different people’s offices and chat with them. Have a conversation. Also, I work in athletics, so going to fun games and enjoying that atmosphere is fun for me.
What advice would you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
Be your authentic self, invest in yourself, and network vertically and horizontally.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I’m pretty talkative once you get to know me. I’m perceived as shy and introverted, but I’m actually pretty outgoing!
What's one communications/social/PR tool that you could not live without and why?
Twitter and Instagram - Twitter is word-based (short and simple) and Instagram is visual. You get the best of both worlds.
Got any favorite quotes?
“Own your dopeness.” Jennifer Lynne Williams - AD Alabama State
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’.” Erma Bombeck
Cooper was a panelist during the 2019 CoSIDA Convention in Orlando during the “Eliminating Communications Gaps: Crossing Generational & Gender Lines” session with, l to r: CoSIDA Vice President Cindy Potter (Columbia College), John Painter (Colgate) and Women Leaders CEO Patti Phillips.