Statement of Purpose – Applied Sport and Performance Psychology

My name is Kecia Denk, and I am from the coastal town of Monterey, California. I earned my undergraduate degree in Health Education from Linfield College, a small liberal arts institution in McMinnville, Oregon. My academic and professional interests center on human performance, well-being, and the psychological skills that support resilience, focus, and sustainable excellence across sport and performance settings.

Sport has been a consistent and meaningful presence in my life. I enjoy running, following competitive athletics, and remaining engaged with sport culture, alongside interests such as reading autobiographies and collecting watches. These interests reflect my curiosity about discipline, identity, and the mental frameworks that shape performance under pressure. Over time, this curiosity has evolved into a clear commitment to applied sport and performance psychology.

My professional path has been nonlinear, and this has deeply informed my perspective as an emerging practitioner. I initially pursued a career as a teaching golf professional, where I developed an appreciation for the role of confidence, attentional control, and emotional regulation in athletic performance. A pivotal life experience later broadened my understanding of performance beyond sport. While serving as a caregiver for a close friend following a complicated medical procedure that required inpatient rehabilitation, I witnessed the psychological demands of recovery, adaptation, and identity change. Observing this process firsthand reinforced my desire to work in applied settings that address both performance and the human experience behind it.

These experiences have shaped my interest in Applied Sport and Performance Psychology as a discipline that integrates theory, research, and real-world application. I am particularly drawn to Dominican University of California’s ASPP program because of its emphasis on ethical practice, holistic development, experiential learning, and preparation for applied work across diverse populations and performance domains. The program’s scholar–practitioner orientation aligns strongly with my learning style and professional goals.

My long-term objective is to support athletes and high-performing individuals in developing mental skills that enhance performance, resilience, and well-being. I am especially interested in working with individuals navigating high-pressure environments, injury recovery, transitions, and identity shifts. Additionally, my respect for the veteran community—shaped by my father’s military service—has fostered a strong interest in performance psychology applications for populations affected by trauma, stress, and reintegration challenges.

I bring several interpersonal strengths that align well with applied sport and performance psychology practice. Empathy allows me to meet individuals where they are, recognizing that progress and performance fluctuate based on psychological, physical, and contextual factors. I value flexibility and responsiveness, adapting approaches to support readiness and engagement. Motivation is another core strength; I genuinely believe in people’s capacity for growth and enjoy helping individuals translate long-term goals into manageable, process-oriented steps. I emphasize celebrating incremental progress as a means of building confidence and sustained effort.

Active listening is foundational to my approach. I strive to listen without assumption, creating space for individuals to feel heard, respected, and understood. This skill extends to collaboration with peers and supervisors, supporting ethical decision-making, cultural humility, and strong professional relationships.

My work is grounded in the values of integrity and authenticity. Integrity guides how I show up consistently, ethically, and with accountability. Authenticity means remaining true to my values while honoring the uniqueness of each individual I work with. I believe effective applied practice requires both professionalism and genuine human connection.

Through Dominican University of California’s Applied Sport and Performance Psychology program, I hope to deepen my theoretical knowledge, applied skills, and self-awareness as a practitioner. I am committed to developing the competencies necessary to support performance excellence while promoting psychological health, ethical practice, and lifelong growth.