VSU Helps Richmond Hill Teacher Cross the Finish Line

Kay Gros crosses the finish line at her first Love on the Run race event. She teaches students at Richmond Hill High School while pursuing her education at Valdosta State University online. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Education in Workforce Education and Development in December 2024 and anticipates completing a Master of Education in Adult and Career Education in May 2026. Kay Gros was just weeks away from finishing her Bachelor of Science in Education in Workforce Education and Development when her students at Richmond Hill High School were struck with a good idea. They wanted to host a Love on the Run 5K to promote community health and wellness — and raise some much-needed funds for their HOSA-Future Health Professionals organization. They were able to raise $1,150 after expenses; more than 100 runners participated in their inaugural event.

VALDOSTA — Kay Gros was just weeks away from finishing her Bachelor of Science in Education in Workforce Education and Development when her students at Richmond Hill High School were struck with a good idea.

They wanted to host a Love on the Run 5K to promote community health and wellness — and raise some much-needed funds for their HOSA-Future Health Professionals organization. 

“I knew that the students wanted to host this event, and I honestly had no clue how to make it happen,” she said.

Balancing her studies at Valdosta State University with her demanding role as a high school teacher made it even more challenging, but she soon discovered an ally ready to guide her all the way to the finish line.  

Gros shared her students’ idea with her ACED 4820: Project Management for Technical Leaders professor, Dr. Ivan Nikolov from VSU’s Department of Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development. With his support and encouragement, plus all the knowledge she was gaining from the class, she said, “I was able to actually make it happen.”

“When it came time to implement the race plan, I had all of the foundation laid from what I learned in class,” she said. “It was definitely a period of great personal and professional growth.”  

“Kay’s dedication and deep personal commitment to this project was beyond impressive,” Nikolov shared. “The fact that she included me in the discussions and the related problem solving, as well as in the joy of her successful moments and the happiness from her success, was very impactful and uplifting for me as a faculty member at VSU. Seeing my students’ professional growth and civic engagement is exciting and motivating.”

Gros and her students were able to raise $1,150 after expenses; more than 100 runners participated in their inaugural event. The funds were used to send 60 students to the 2025 HOSA-Future Health Professionals State Leadership Conference in Atlanta.

“HOSA is the largest club in our school,” she shared, “and we are in the Top 10 in Georgia.”

The international career and technical student organization helps educators empower students to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience.

Gros and her students now plan to make their Love on the Run event an annual February tradition for their Richmond Hill community. Next year’s event will also include a 10K option.

For Gros, the challenges of planning Love on the Run were many, but she found a way to overcome  

“It feels great to see your project succeed,” she said, reflecting on the numerous obstacles she faced and how, with perseverance and a little help from Nikolov, she was able to develop strategies to navigate and overcome them. “I felt really good about my organizational and communication skills, and I was proud to see my students engaging with the community about why we were doing this event.”  

Gros graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Education in Workforce Education and Development in December 2024 and decided to further her education, also at VSU. She anticipates completing a Master of Education in Adult and Career Education in May 2026.

Before joining the Blazer Nation community, Gros earned an associate’s degree in nursing and worked as a registered nurse for more than two decades. She moved from nursing into teaching healthcare science about seven years ago after completing the New Teacher Institute with Dr. Pam Dobbins, who also teaches in VSU’s Department of Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development. 

“Dr. Dobbins encouraged me to get my degree with just a little more work,” Gros said. “I absolutely love my job as a Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education teacher at Richmond Hill High School. I have been able to change my career later in life and have explored what it means to be a lifelong learner.”

“Through this Love on the Run project and going back to college later in life, I have learned that we are capable of more than we think sometimes,” she added. “Hard work and perseverance pay off. Once the foundation is laid, you can go anywhere!”