Alumni Highlight | Where Are They Now: Mykenzie Knox (Kostka)

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State swimming & diving continues their “Where Are They Now” collection highlighting and showcasing their alumni as we reconnect with 2020 graduate Mykenzie Knox (Kostka).
 
What years did you attend Indiana State?
2016-2020
 
What was your diploma(s) in at Indiana State?
BS in Chemistry
 
What has been your path since commencement at Indiana State?
After commencement, I moved to Columbus, Ohio to pursue my Doctorate in Pharmacy (PharmD) at The Ohio State University from 2020 to 2024. In the Spring of 2024, I received married, graduated pharmacy faculty, and moved again to Indiana!
 
In July 2024, I started my pharmacy residency at Ascension St. Vincent, the place I did one 12 months of normal pharmacy and one other 12 months specializing in pediatrics at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.
 
I not too long ago graduated residency in July 2026 and began my first “big girl job” at IU Health Riley as a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist.
 
Where are you at the moment now and what are you doing (career-wise)?
I’m at the moment residing in Westfield, IN and I’m working towards at IU Health Riley as a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist.
 
My typical day facilities round affected person care within the morning, the place I spherical with the interdisciplinary crew, which incorporates docs, fellows, residents, and nurses. My afternoon consists of wrapping up any extra affected person care and dealing on course of enchancment initiatives.
 
How did your time at Indiana State put together you to your present profession path?
My time at Indiana State helped me develop many essential foundational abilities to achieve success. Time administration, dedication, and perseverance are abilities I discovered on the swim crew that assist helped me tremendously by way of pharmacy faculty and residency and can proceed to be useful abilities all through my profession.
 
How did your time on the Indiana State swimming and diving crew affect your time at Indiana State?
The swim crew supplied me with a lot assist throughout undergrad from relationships to assets. I used to be very nervous about shifting away from household (regardless that I used to be solely three hours from house), however the swim crew was my household from the day I moved to Terre Haute and made that transition a lot simpler.
 
I used to be additionally supplied many alternatives by way of the swim crew, equivalent to being a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the place I grew to become concerned in management roles such because the Indiana State consultant for the MVC SAAC in addition to turning into president of Indiana State SAAC my senior 12 months. These alternatives allowed me to achieve connections and develop my abilities as a frontrunner to hold all through my life.
 
What have been a few of your favourite recollections with the crew?
Honestly, the little moments are what I cherish essentially the most. It was superb to have the ability to have your greatest mates in such shut proximity. We loved doing spur of the second issues and playing around.
 
I keep in mind in the course of the first few weeks of freshman 12 months, Allie and Bip got here to my dorm room and stated “We made up a dance routine to White and Nerdy. Do you want to see it?” And then proceed with the very best dance routine in historical past. We had so many dinner dates to Tacos and Tequila and enjoyable late-night conversations (baked and bare are spelled equally so why aren’t they pronounced equally?) It was the very best of occasions with the very best friends.
 
What recommendation would you might have for the present crew members as they proceed to progress by way of school and stay up for the longer term?
My largest recommendation is to take in each second and alternative as a result of the time throughout undergrad actually does go by sooner than you anticipate. And get pleasure from your time residing along with your greatest mates as a result of after commencement they have an inclination to scatter throughout the nation (and perhaps even the world).
 
But after commencement, actually put within the effort to remain shut with these relationships that matter essentially the most to you. Life can get in the way in which nevertheless it at all times nice to maintain these robust relationships.
 
Have you been capable of communicate with former teammates, coaches – and if that’s the case, when’s the final time you have seen/spoke with them?
I’ve completely been capable of communicate with a few of my former teammates. I really received to see some former teammates after we ventured out to the Pacific Northwest for Allie’s marriage ceremony. It was so nice to get to have a good time her and Austin (they met whereas in Terre Haute!).
 
Having been part of the primary recruiting class, how a lot have you ever saved monitor of this system and what has it been like so that you can see this system develop into what it’s now?
I’ve saved monitor of this system by way of social media. When I’m able to, I additionally attempt to stay stream the MVC Championships to cheer them on from work/house.
 
What does the longer term maintain for you shifting ahead?
I’m lastly attending to cool down from the loopy occasions of college/residency. I’m wanting ahead to attending to journey extra with plans to journey to Italy in late Sept/early Oct.
 
We additionally simply received a brand new pet, a mini goldendoodle named Harper. She is maintaining us very busy in the meanwhile. At some level, my husband and I wish to get a home and begin a household however we wish to get pleasure from a while along with a slower tempo (hopefully life will decelerate only a bit).
 
Follow the Sycamores
For the newest info on Sycamore Swimming and Diving, go to GoSycamores.com. You may also discover the crew on social media, together with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Fans may also obtain updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from the each the App Store and the Google Play Store.