{"id":18413,"date":"2025-06-17T15:02:44","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T19:02:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=18413"},"modified":"2025-08-07T12:33:16","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T16:33:16","slug":"wilmu-student-kayla-kosmalski-a-role-model-for-inclusivity-and-perseverance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2025\/06\/17\/wilmu-student-kayla-kosmalski-a-role-model-for-inclusivity-and-perseverance\/","title":{"rendered":"WilmU Student Kayla Kosmalski \u2014 \u2018A Role Model for Inclusivity and Perseverance\u2019\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column18413_27a5f0-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column18413_27a5f0-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column18413_27a5f0-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column18413_27a5f0-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column18413_27a5f0-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column18413_27a5f0-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column18413_27a5f0-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column18413_27a5f0-6d{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18413_27a5f0-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column18413_27a5f0-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18413_27a5f0-6d dynamic-main-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>Before <strong>Kayla Kosmalski<\/strong> even says hello, you\u2019ll notice her energy. She radiates positivity. \u201cI\u2019m your battery charger,\u201d says the Wilmington University student with a big heart, big smile and big mission.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI want to show little girls with disabilities that they can believe in themselves and dream of doing anything, that they can do anything in life,\u201d says Kosmalski, who made history as the first woman with Down syndrome to win a state pageant title \u2014 Miss Delaware Teen USA. She also won the Miss Congeniality award at the 2024 Miss Teen USA pageant. \u201cPeople with Down syndrome can do anything!\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That includes earning a college degree. Accepted by multiple schools, Kosmalski chose WilmU to pursue a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/technology\/communication-curriculum.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">B.S. in Communication<\/a> and continue <a href=\"https:\/\/wildcats.athletics.wilmu.edu\/sports\/cheer\/headlines-featured\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cheerleading<\/a>, which she started at age 13.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inclusivity on Campus&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cKayla has shown the other athletes on the cheer team that cheerleading is not just about the physical performances but also about the spirit, teamwork and camaraderie that come with it,\u201d says <strong>Ashley Mundy<\/strong>, the University secretary and head cheerleading coach. \u201cShe serves as a role model for inclusivity and perseverance, promoting a culture of acceptance and respect.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In January, the team traveled to Florida for the <a href=\"https:\/\/wildcats.athletics.wilmu.edu\/sports\/cheer\/2024-25\/releases\/20250119o7efbt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">national championship<\/a>, finishing third in the Small Coed Division I Game Day competition.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI love Coach Mundy,\u201d Kosmalski says. \u201cShe\u2019s an incredible, inspiring coach, and I\u2019m so grateful to have coaches by my side through all of this. And I\u2019m so grateful to be on the team.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She also appreciates her WilmU professors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey are amazing. They are kind. They are incredible,\u201d says Kosmalski, who just completed her first year. \u201cI want to graduate with a 4.0 GPA.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAcademically, Kayla is diligent, conscientious and eager to learn. She contributes to our class discussions with enthusiasm and a collaborative nature, and she is a positive, forward-thinking student,\u201d says <strong>Kristen Berry<\/strong>, a WilmU adjunct professor. \u201cIt has been a pleasure to have her in class.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While balancing coursework and cheerleading, Kosmalski finds time for two other passions: motivational speaking and acting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI have a movie <a href=\"https:\/\/iwinthemovie.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u2018I Win\u2019<\/a>,\u201d Kosmalski says. \u201c\u2018I Win\u2019 is all about friendships and bullying and kindness to the world. I am the main character\u2019s girlfriend in that movie.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She\u2019ll also star in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ablemovie.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cABLE\u201d<\/a>, a new movie about her life. The tagline is \u201credefine what&#8217;s possible,\u201d and she\u2019s doing exactly that \u2014 as a student-athlete, speaker, model, actor and advocate for disability rights.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ABLE Act&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI have a law named after me in Delaware,\u201d Kosmalski says. \u201cIt\u2019s called Kayla\u2019s Law,\u201d known nationally as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ablenrc.org\/what-is-able\/history-of-the-able-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ABLE Act<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Short for Achieving a Better Life Experience, the 2014 law allows people with disabilities to save money for education, housing, transportation and other expenses without affecting their federal benefits. After championing the change, a young Kosmalski and her parents attended an <a href=\"https:\/\/obamawhitehouse.archives.gov\/photos-and-video\/video\/2015\/02\/10\/vice-president-biden-hosts-event-highlight-able-act\">event with then-Vice President <strong>Joe Biden<\/strong><\/a>, who told the crowd, \u201cI\u2019m so delighted that Princess Kayla is with us today.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the political arena to pageant stage, cheer routine to class discussion, Kosmalski shines brightly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBeyond her academic and extracurricular achievements, Kayla is a remarkable individual who faces life challenges with grace and courage. Her ability to overcome obstacles and maintain an optimistic outlook is truly inspiring,\u201d says <strong>Liz Slater<\/strong>, a WilmU adjunct professor. \u201cShe is a testament to the power of perseverance and the value of embracing one&#8217;s unique strengths. I am a better person for having met Kayla Kosmalski.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe truly embodies kindness and inclusivity, making everyone around her feel valued,\u201d Coach Mundy says, adding, \u201cI am confident that her involvement at the University will leave a lasting impact on the entire community.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking ahead, Kosmalski is excited to accomplish \u201canything that I am capable of\u201d and shares words of encouragement for future Wildcats. \u201cDream big. Believe in yourself. Work hard,\u201d she says with her signature smile.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id18413_14ee56-a5{margin-top:0em;}.kb-row-layout-id18413_14ee56-a5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id18413_14ee56-a5 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id18413_14ee56-a5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:0em;padding-right:0em;padding-bottom:0em;padding-left:0em;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id18413_14ee56-a5{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}.kb-row-layout-id18413_14ee56-a5 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id18413_14ee56-a5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id18413_14ee56-a5{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kb-row-layout-id18413_14ee56-a5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id18413_14ee56-a5{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}}.wu-text-col,.wu-img-col {\tmin-height: 114px;}.wu-text-col &gt; 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 margin-block-end: 1em;}img[src$=\".svg\"] {  max-width: 220px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18413_325233-04 kb-section-dir-horizontal wu-img-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image18413_880671-69:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image18413_880671-69.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-image18413_880671-69 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image18413_880671-69 image-is-svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/wilmu-cta-logo-wu.svg\" alt=\"Wilm U post footer logo\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-17727\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > .wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:#eeeeee;}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}.kt-row-column-wrap &gt; .wp-block-kadence-column {align-self: stretch;}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd &gt; div {  padding-block: 1em;}.kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd p:last-of-type {  -webkit-margin-after: 0;  margin-block-end: 0;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18413_0e1775-bd kb-section-dir-vertical wu-text-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"NoMargin\" style=\"font-size:1rem\"><em>Wilmington University offers inclusive, affordable, accessible higher education to students of varying ages, interests and aspirations through both face-to-face and online formats. Explore more than 200 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/academics\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>degree and certificate programs<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before Kayla Kosmalski even says hello, you\u2019ll notice her energy. She radiates positivity. \u201cI\u2019m your battery charger,\u201d says the Wilmington University student with a big&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":18414,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[163],"tags":[1017,155,99,1016,1018,14,207,15],"class_list":["post-18413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifewilmu","tag-able-act","tag-b-s-in-communications","tag-college-of-technology","tag-inclusivity-on-campus","tag-kayla-kosmalski","tag-wilmington-university","tag-wilmington-university-cheerleading","tag-wilmu"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":163,"label":"LIFE@WILMU"}],"post_tag":[{"value":1017,"label":"ABLE Act"},{"value":155,"label":"B.S. in Communications"},{"value":99,"label":"College of Technology"},{"value":1016,"label":"Inclusivity on Campus"},{"value":1018,"label":"Kayla Kosmalski"},{"value":14,"label":"Wilmington University"},{"value":207,"label":"Wilmington University Cheerleading"},{"value":15,"label":"WilmU"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Kayla-Kosmalski-480x480.jpg",480,480,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Mckayla Imperatrice","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/author\/mckayla\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":163,"name":"LIFE@WILMU","slug":"lifewilmu","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":720,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":90,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":163,"category_count":90,"category_description":"","cat_name":"LIFE@WILMU","category_nicename":"lifewilmu","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":1017,"name":"ABLE Act","slug":"able-act","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1574,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":155,"name":"B.S. in Communications","slug":"b-s-in-communications","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":712,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":2,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":99,"name":"College of Technology","slug":"college-of-technology","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":656,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":66,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":1016,"name":"Inclusivity on Campus","slug":"inclusivity-on-campus","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1573,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":1018,"name":"Kayla Kosmalski","slug":"kayla-kosmalski","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1575,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":14,"name":"Wilmington University","slug":"wilmington-university","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":571,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":357,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":207,"name":"Wilmington University Cheerleading","slug":"wilmington-university-cheerleading","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":764,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":2,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":15,"name":"WilmU","slug":"wilmu","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":572,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":291,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18413","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18413"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18413\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18416,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18413\/revisions\/18416"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18414"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18413"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18413"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}