“Tarleton is more than just a university— it’s a place that truly supports you. From the smaller class sizes to welcoming campus traditions, it’s a place where you can grow, get involved, and find your people.”
Kylee Sparks
Tarleton State Alumna, Class of 2022
For some, the idea of going to college close to home can feel less than encouraging. At times, it can hinder some students’ ability to connect and grow beyond what they’ve known their entire lives.
However, for others, it can mean planting new roots in a path you’ve been forging your entire life.
For Tarleton State University alumna and Granbury native Kylee Sparks, it was the latter.
Growing up in Granbury, Sparks was unintentionally programmed to believe that Tarleton State was too close to home to attend. However, everything changed the moment she set foot on campus.
“As cheesy as it sounds, when I visited Tarleton’s campus it felt like home the moment I arrived. I was drawn to the close-knit community, the welcoming atmosphere, and the smaller class sizes that made it easier to build real connections with professors and classmates. Tarleton offered the perfect balance of opportunity, tradition, and connection,” Sparks said.
Once here, Kylee dove into the many involvement opportunities Tarleton State has to offer.
She was a proud member of Delight Ministries, Phi Mu, the American Marketing Association and so much more.
However, it was her time in Phi Mu that truly shaped her time here at Tarleton State.
“ Phi Mu had the biggest impact on my college journey—serving as Chapter President taught me how to manage and support a team, sharpened my leadership skills, and ultimately led to me being honored as Greek Person of the Year,” Sparks shared.
In addition to serving as both the Treasurer and President during her time in Phi Mu, Sparks was able to contribute philanthropically at both the local and national levels.
Kylee’s involvement did not stop with her philanthropic initiatives. She also served as the President of the American Marketing Association during her senior year.
“These organizations opened the door to even more opportunities, including the College of Business Student Advisory Board, Upper-Level Honors College, Order of Omega, and Delta Mu Delta. Taking on a leadership role at Tarleton can truly help you step out of your shell, and build great experiences,” Sparks said.
Her involvement on campus not only earned her the John Tarleton Spirit Award during her final semester at Tarleton State, but also led to real-world marketing opportunities that later benefited her professionally.
Kylee graduated from Tarleton State in 2022 with her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in Management.
Shortly after crossing the stage, Sparks began working full-time as a Marketing Manager at Barefoot Campus Outfitter.
“At Barefoot, we have multiple brands, and I primarily oversee our marketing strategy for our Venture19 brand, including social media management, new collections, campaign planning, in-store events, partnerships, and content creation. I also assist with seasonal promotions, product launches, and creative branding across all brands. My time at Tarleton State absolutely helped prepare me for this role. I found my current job listed on Tarleton’s Handshake platform a month before graduating. Tarleton gave me hands-on leadership experiences in student organizations, and courses that strengthened my communication skills,” Sparks said.
“One of my favorite parts of my job is that no two days are ever the same. I get to work across different brands and store locations, which allows me to continuously switch between different creative projects, campaigns, and strategies. I am especially grateful to work with such a supportive, close-knit team—who truly feel like family,” Sparks shared.
Since starting her position three years ago, Kylee has made significant accomplishments both personally and professionally.
In her role, she has had the opportunity to help open multiple new store locations as well as expand the brand’s online presence.
This included creating location-specific marketing campaigns as well as monitoring campaign growth first-hand.
(Pictured: Kylee still bleeding purple even in Lubbock, Texas.)
“On a personal level, I bought my first home two years ago— with a lot of support from family, which was such a rewarding experience. More recently, I got engaged, which has been such a joyful and exciting chapter in my life. My fiancé is also a proud Tarleton Alumni,” Sparks said.
Q&A with Kylee Sparks
Q: If you could go back and give your past self one piece of advice, what would it be?
A: Trust the process and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. If you’re an overthinker like me, you know you can sometimes be your own worst enemy. However, some of the best opportunity came from moments where I spoke up, or said yes to something new— even when it felt intimidating at the time.
Q: What would you tell future students about Tarleton State?
A: Tarleton is more than just a university— it’s a place that truly supports you. From the smaller class sizes to welcoming campus traditions, it’s a place where you can grow, get involved, and find your people. There are so many opportunities to lead, make friends, and make a real life impact, but remember, it’s all about what you put in! If you’re looking for a school that feels like home and prepares you for the best, Tarleton is the place!
Don’t hesitate to make Tarleton State your new home away from home (even if you’re really not that far away from home.