Kiersten Florence

by David Kallison

Kiersten Florence, didn’t spend a single second thinking about where she would apply to college. From the time she was little, she knew. Her entire family — brother, sister, mom, and dad — all attended Texas State University. And so Kiersten didn’t have to think twice about becoming a Bobcat. It was, simply, in her blood.

But Kiersten didn’t come to San Marcos to stand idly by or coast in the shadow of the flock of Florence’s that came before. She came here for business.

Kiersten enrolled in the McCoy College of Business at Texas State to focus on business management.

“I was attracted to the courses offered and I felt it was the best fit for whatever career path I was going to go into,” Florence says.

Later she added a second major, marketing, after enjoying multiple electives in the subject. Adding another major also made her more versatile for a future career.

Florence grew up in New Braunfels and has always been close to her family. She visited Texas State often as a child and has the photograph at age six with the LBJ statue to prove it. Starting at the age of three, Florence started a life of dancing and began competitive dancing with her dance studio shortly thereafter. Later, she joined her middle school and high school’s dance team where she served as a lieutenant and later captain her senior year. She also teaches dance to toddlers, no small feat (well, very small feet).

“I really love it,” Florence says. “Especially seeing all the joy that I received from dance and now seeing these kids that I'm teaching, [experience] that same joy.”

She brought that same energy and ambition to San Marcos. On top of her two majors, Florence was also elected to student government first as vice president, then as president. Under her administration student government launched a student safety escort program alongside the Texas State University Police Department, where any student, from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., can call for an escort back to their residence. Her administration also implemented a plan to distribute huge water jugs during Texas State tailgates, keeping Bobcats fans hydrated in the heat.

Aside from her accomplishments in the classroom, her talent dancing, and her student government prowess, Florence is, above all, a helper.

“I feel being in leadership positions is all about serving others and that's something that I love to do, serving my community,” she says.

Florence rushed Alpha Delta Pi and was delighted to learn it was nothing like the negative stereotypes that sororities can be perceived as on social media. Florence enjoys the sweet sisterhood and how Greek life gives back to their community.

Her loyalty and devotion have often paid off in the form of radically cool experiences like when she first stepped out onto the football field as an official Texas State Strutter. Founded in 1960 by the outstanding Mrs. Barbara Tidwell, the Strutters were the first dance team organized on any major university campus in Texas.

Florence fits right into that tradition.

“I just remember the first time being in [UFCU Stadium] and just seeing the crowd,” she says. “It was just amazing!”

Going from high school bleachers to 30,000 excited fans was an amazing experience, Florence says. “I’m so happy that I did it.”

When asked what movie her life would be if her life indeed was a movie, Florence answered right away: “Top Gun. I feel it's all about serving others. They have a time commitment. They're going to school. They're dedicated. They're pushing themselves, they're studying with others and making friends all at the same time.”

A maverick and a Bobcat, through and through. ✯