Drover Alum Since Day One: Tialyn John
Tialyn John, a 2011 graduate of the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, has built a thriving career as a business coach for freelancers and women entrepreneurs. As the owner of Coaching by Tialyn, she provides personalized strategies for business growth, management, and mindset, helping clients turn their goals into reality.
John first discovered USAO after attending the Droverstock sidewalk chalk art event. She was immediately drawn to the campus’s intimate and welcoming atmosphere. “The genuine, personable interactions I had that day set USAO apart from other colleges I visited,” she said, reflecting on her decision to choose the university.
John earned a degree in Communication with minors in Art and Liberal Arts. She credits her interdisciplinary education with preparing her for leadership roles in both corporate settings and her own business. “USAO taught me how to communicate, lead and market effectively, skills that have been invaluable in my entrepreneurial journey,” John said.
Active in student government and campus activities, John embraced the opportunities to step out of her comfort zone, which she believes fueled her personal and professional growth. She also valued USAO’s diverse student body, which broadened her worldview. “Coming from a small town, I enjoyed making friends with students from other cultures. It opened up my perspective and deepened my appreciation for diversity,” she said.
Mentors like Dr. JC Casey had a lasting impact on John’s confidence and success. “She is the reason I graduated. I love that she examines your potential and challenges you to reach it. I learned a lot from her and have the utmost respect for her. David Duncan is another person who I truly appreciated, was challenged by, and learned a lot from,” she added.
Now a mother of two, John spends her free time “traveling the world to explore other cultures, ballroom dancing, and spending time with her daughters, Akira and Kahlia,” she said.
John advises current USAO students to embrace the journey and focus on lifelong learning. “I wish I had approached my education with the mindset that the curriculum offered invaluable knowledge for my future. You have your whole life in front of you. Don’t make your diploma just a checkbox for your next step. Work to learn with the mindset that everything you absorb will help set you up for your future success. Don’t worry about your grades; focus on the value you are receiving and retaining what will help serve you,” she said.
About the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
As Oklahoma’s liberal arts college, the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma provides a distinctive education in the liberal arts and sciences, supporting both its interdisciplinary core curriculum and major fields of study with superior teaching. USAO fosters diversity of thought and practice to help students realize meaningful, purposeful and productive lives as global citizens in a rapidly-changing world.