Sarah Mullins
Class of '14
A Bearcats For Life Story
I didn’t apply anywhere else. I knew being a Bearcat was meant for me. When I first stepped on campus as a freshman, I had no idea it would be a life-changing experience. I didn’t know I’d meet people who would shape my life, or that UC would open me up to a whole new world just across the bridge from where I grew up in Northern Kentucky.
Cincinnati means more to me now than it did when I was a freshman. Back then, it was just my address. Then it became my campus. Over time, it grew into my community, my career, my home. It’s the place I return to cheer on my favorite teams and the place that shaped who I am.
I earned both my undergrad and grad degrees at UC, and somewhere along the way, I became a true #BearcatForLife. Being a Bearcat to me means working hard, striving to be the best version of yourself, and using your skills to lift others up too. My colleagues and managers today say that I’m observant, diplomatic, and always looking for ways to optimize. It's funny to hear these sometimes, because they're traits I can directly trace back to my time as a UC student.
Do you have a Bearcats for Life story?
We’re a quiet bunch. Never looking for attention, but always appreciating when our accomplishments are recognized. We’re often the underdogs, willing to put in the work to make something the best it can be. UC is home to a lot of firsts, built on that same grit and drive. But come game day? We’re anything but quiet. Being a Bearcat for Life means carrying both sides of that identity. The humble determination to work hard and the joy of celebrating together. That same spirit carries off the field and into our lives, in our careers, our communities, and the way we show up for others.
I see UC as a powerhouse. Not just in education, but in its impact on people, the economy, and society. It’s woven into everyday life. I spot Bearcat hats on baristas at my favorite coffee shops, nurses at UC Health wearing a C-Paw, and neighbors with the Bearcat flag. And now that I’ve moved away from Cincinnati to Austin, Texas, I still see Bearcats everywhere in the wild. Whether I’m wearing my UC hat, repping gameday gear, or just working at my laptop with a C-Paw sticker, it’s a point of connection... And sometimes a curious stranger asking: "Do you know Travis Kelce?" (Unfortunately, no).
The through lines in my life keep circling back to Clifton. My siblings followed me and went to UC. My partner went to UC. And no matter where I am, my face lights up when I hear a random “Go Bearcats!” at the grocery store or in the airport.
But more than anything, being a Bearcat carries this intangible feeling like belonging to something bigger than yourself. It’s comfort, pride, and energy all at once. It’s the sense that wherever you go, you’re connected to a community that understands you, roots for you, and reminds you of home.
Being a Bearcat for Life isn’t just about cheering for your team on Saturdays. It’s about being part of a community and a city, giving back, mentoring students, and carrying forward the grit, resilience, empathy, and passion that UC instilled in me. One of my favorite philosophy classes still shapes how I see the world today and it’s those lasting lessons that remind me why being a Bearcat is forever.
And no matter what, every time I’m back on campus, the scent of TUC, the breeze of Nippert at night, and the comfort of a coffee from the Lindner Starbucks transports me back, not just to college, but to a time that shaped me in ways I’ll never forget.
Being a Bearcat didn’t have an ending. I graduated (twice!) but it didn’t stop there. Every experience, every connection, every lesson from UC continues to shape who I am and how I show up in the world. Whether it’s cheering on game day, mentoring students, or simply spotting a fellow Bearcat across the country, I carry that community, pride, and sense of belonging with me everywhere. Being a Bearcat for Life isn’t just a chapter of my past, it’s woven into everything I do and everything I am.
