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For many students, community college serves as a stepping stone, a place to gain experience, explore opportunities, and prepare for the next phase of life. For Mallory Mundy, Lincoln Trail College (LTC) was much more than that. It was a foundation that shaped her personally and professionally, leading her to DePauw University and now to an exciting career with iHeart Media.
Discovering a Community at Lincoln Trail College
When Mundy first arrived at LTC, her primary focus was soccer. However, she quickly realized that the college had so much more to offer.
"It didn’t take long after arriving to LTC to see all the reasons to stay," she recalls. "The community aspect was huge for me. Every local business, high school, professor, and member of the community cares for LTC and puts in the work to give students the most opportunities."
Her involvement in various student organizations, including Phi Theta Kappa, student government, and the TRIO program, provided her with valuable skills that would later help in her transition to DePauw. "TRIO helped with transfer application fees and scholarships. Phi Theta Kappa gave me public speaking and leadership experience, and student government helped with time management and event planning. Everything offered at LTC gives you a leg up at your next institution."
Transitioning to DePauw University
As Mundy considered her transfer options, DePauw University stood out. Interestingly, she first learned about DePauw through her marketing internship with Chris Forde at LTC.
"He highlighted the excellent education and learning experiences he had from his alma mater, and that was what I was looking for," she explains. "I ended up scheduling a visit to DePauw the next week, loved the campus and everyone I met, and later, I contacted DePauw’s soccer coach. I ended up getting an offer to play soccer as well."
Thanks to the rigorous academics and support she received at LTC, the transition to DePauw was smooth.
"DePauw took almost all my classes, and I found that my classes were easier at DePauw because Lincoln Trail had taught me ahead of what was necessary."
Beyond the academics, DePauw’s small class sizes and engaged professors helped Mundy thrive. "Having the opportunity to make solid relationships with all my professors was a huge part of my DePauw experience. I think my biggest class had 10 students, so we all got to know our professors and peers well."
Mundy also credits her time on DePauw’s soccer team for shaping her discipline and time management skills. "We had a very strict training schedule, and this made me invest a lot of time into my physical and mental health."
Advice for Transfer Students
For students considering a transfer from LTC to a four-year university, Mundy has one key message: "It is 100% worth it."
She emphasizes the importance of planning ahead and using the available resources. "The transfer process from Lincoln Trail was relatively smooth for me, and I think in large part because I started looking early. Remember there are always resources to answer questions, so find those people and send some emails!"
Entering the Professional World
After graduating from DePauw, Mundy began her career journey with a job that wasn’t the right fit. Recognizing that it didn’t align with who she wanted to be, she took the bold step of seeking new opportunities.
"As soon as I came to that conclusion, I started looking for something better, and I knew I wasn’t okay with settling. After a lot of work, I found out that iHeart Media wanted to give me a shot, and it has been a dream come true."
At iHeart Media, the world’s largest audio company, Mundy has found an exciting career path in sales. "The two biggest things for me were career development and culture. Not only are we the largest audio company in the world, but we are rapidly expanding to streaming services as well. There is so much to learn."
What excites her most about the job is the variety. "I love how every day is different. One day I may be out in the local community, and the next I could be on a virtual call with a marketing director for a huge company based in California. There are always new faces, new advice, and more experiences to come."
Looking Ahead
Mundy’s journey is far from over. "My plan is to be a part of our CEO club for a few years here, which is a program that shows you are continually a top performer. I also still plan to continue school. That may be law school or a master’s related to communication and leadership. It is hard to say step by step what will happen, but I know that there is so much more to come."
Encouragement for LTC Students
For current LTC students, Mundy offers a piece of advice: "If you are at all interested in getting involved in the clubs, community, or any extracurriculars, then do it! Go to every class, ask questions, and get to know your peers. I met some of my best friends during my time at LTC, so never shy away from getting to know those around you."
She also encourages students to take chances and pursue their dreams. "Find your north star and then go after it. Find the one thing that makes you happier than anything else. Sometimes you don’t need to ask questions. We’re all human, and we like plans, but take as many chances as humanly possible."
