How Kaleigh Nicley Found Her Calling in Social Work at Cumberlands

Kaleigh Nicley didn’t expect to leave her social work class at University of the Cumberlands in tears, but she did. Not from stress or frustration, but from something rare: relief. That day, she finally saw her path clearly.

She had found her calling.

Overwhelmed with peace and purpose, Kaleigh stepped out of that classroom with one thing she hadn’t had before: certainty. Now, she’s pursuing a career in social work—and thanks to earning the prestigious Child Welfare Prep scholarship, her journey just accelerated. The award includes tuition support for her bachelor’s in social work, a semesterly stipend, immersive training, and guaranteed job placement.

For a young woman who grew up under tumultuous circumstances in Harlan County, Kentucky, it’s more than just a scholarship. It’s a new chapter.

“Everybody deserves a chance at a life that’s thriving and not stuck in survival mode.” - Kaleigh Nicley

Roots in Hard Ground

As a child, Nicley’s parents were absent. She grew up neglected and teetering on the edge of the foster care system. Food wasn’t guaranteed. Safety wasn’t either. Sometimes, she found herself home alone.

Which might not sound so bad—except she was a toddler. Just barely out of diapers.

Luckily, her grandparents stepped up in a huge way.

“My grandparents gained custody of me when I was four. From then on, I had a great childhood—they gave me the path I needed to succeed in life.” 

At her grandparents’ home, love flowed freely. Food was always on the table. There was no shortage of care, no sense of being forgotten.

“That contrast—night and day—inspired me to make a change in children’s lives.”

As she got older, college felt like the next right step. She was drawn to University of the Cumberlands for its Christian values, affordability, and strong academic programs—especially its growing social work department, which prepares students for careers in advocacy, case management, and community service. Social work called to her, but so did education. At the time, she wasn’t sure which path to follow.

But others weren’t convinced she’d make it at all.

Nicley was born with Lamellar Ichthyosis, a rare skin condition that causes the body to overproduce skin cells faster than it can shed them. The result: dry, scaly buildup and fragile skin that requires near-constant care. She applies moisturizer every 30 to 60 minutes—every day, all day. Extended time outside isn’t possible.

She also lives with EVA (Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct), a degenerative hearing condition. Her right ear is completely deaf. Her left ear retains only about 20% hearing.

“I’m always dealing with my appearance. ‘Do I look okay?’ ‘Am I going to scare people?’ Confidence is hard because people, unfortunately, do judge you based on appearance. That’s just a thing in the world. I try to educate them. I couldn’t control this. It’s just something I have to live with.”

On top of her physical conditions, Nicley faced developmental and learning delays early in life. But the biggest obstacle wasn’t what she struggled with—it was what people assumed.

“The assumption was always, ‘You’ll stay home the rest of your life. You’ll draw your check. You’ll just get by.’”

She never accepted that.

Nicley refused to let other people’s limits define her. She knew she was meant to help others—to take her lived experiences and lead with empathy. Her goal was simple: help struggling children and families feel seen, safe, and supported.

A Place That Made Room

When Nicley arrived at University of the Cumberlands, the difference was immediate. While taking intro courses and eventually leaning fully into the social work program, she encountered faculty and staff who met her where she was, were committed to her success, and created space for her to grow and thrive.

“All my professors have poured into me in some way. My professors in the social work department have especially given me the confidence I need.” - Kaleigh Nicley

To Nicley, support means more than simply granting accommodations. That’s the baseline—and yes, Cumberlands has met that standard.

“UC has been very accommodating. My professors especially,” Nicley shared.

But true support goes further. It means getting to know students as individuals and offering heartfelt advice backed by real-world experience.

Two professors in particular, Dr. Jennifer Knuckles and Professor Elissa Price, have been instrumental in shaping Nicley’s experience. She shared that both are people she can turn to for encouragement and wisdom. Dr. Knuckles, for instance, often reminds her, “This is what you’re meant to do!” Professor Price once emailed to say that one of Nicley’s homework submissions was the best she’d ever received.

“The social work role I want to go into can be dangerous, especially in child protective services. Dr. Knuckles and Professor Price helped me alleviate a lot of that worry. They’ve helped me figure out how to go into the field with accommodations in place.” - Kaleigh Nicley

Because of her hearing impairment, Nicley may face added risk in high-stress environments. Her professors have discussed real-life scenarios with her and offered strategies for staying safe, such as positioning herself with her back to a wall to avoid being caught off guard.

Through insights like these, Nicley feels more prepared to handle the good, the bad, and the difficult realities of the social work pathway God has laid on her heart.

Funded, Focused, and Ready

Heading into her junior year, Nicley had the passion, talent, and drive to pursue a career in social work, but financial uncertainty was holding her back.

“Up to this point, I got my associate degree paid for, but when I got to the bachelor’s level, my scholarship money was running low. I had to go into debt.”

Though Cumberlands is affordable, taking on any amount of debt has weighed heavily. She knew she wanted to earn a master’s degree, and graduate programs don’t qualify for traditional need-based aid. On top of that, the job market felt uncertain.

It all seemed like too much.

But Nicley is no stranger to uncertainty—or to overcoming it.

Getting the email that she’d received the Child Welfare Prep scholarship was life-changing. Through the program, she’ll receive tuition coverage, real-world training, ongoing financial support, and a clear path to employment, all of which bring her one step closer to serving families in need.

“This program lifts all the burdens I felt before,” she explained. “It secures my future. It gives me hope that I can actually do what I set out to achieve—without worrying about debt, job prospects, or training costs.” 

Nicley plans to work in child protective services early in her career, eventually transition to clinical social work, and possibly become a professor along the way. She believes each of these roles will help children and adults move beyond survival and into lives filled with peace and purpose. It’s a vision aligned with Cumberlands’ mission to develop servant-leaders through programs that address the region’s most pressing social and behavioral health needs.

“People deserve to know they have a purpose in this world, that they’re not just here by accident.” - Kaleigh Nicley

“I believe—and I look back on my life—that every step was ordained by God. Every step has led me to this point. All the people around me have given me a level of empathy, time, encouragement, and little pushes that have helped me succeed. So I look forward to giving back—to giving people encouragement, love, and little bright spots in their day. We all deserve that.”

Interested in studying social or behavioral sciences? Learn more about programs in social work, human services, and psychology at University of the Cumberlands.

About Cumberlands Social Work:

Cumberlands’ bachelor’s in social work program combines classroom learning with real-world practicum experiences to prepare students for meaningful careers in service and advocacy.