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Why did you choose to attend Delta State?
There were two defining reasons that led me to DSU. The first was the athletic scholarship I received to join the men's basketball team — something that opened the door for me to pursue both academics and athletics. The second, and maybe even more important, was the assistant coach of the men's basketball team at the time coach John Redman. From our very first interactions, he showed me what DSU was really about — the community, the warmth, the family-like culture that defines not just the team but the whole town of Cleveland, Mississippi. That same kindness and sense of belonging was something I truly felt throughout my time there.
What have you been doing since you graduated from DSU?
After graduating, I returned to my hometown of Athens, Greece, where I got involved in the mental health field. I also founded NousGym, a company that helps individuals find the right therapist and therapy path for them — much like going to a gym to train your body, we believe in “training” the mind and soul with the right support, hence the word “Nous” which means "mind" in Greek.
We’re currently developing our mobile app, which is set to launch this September, and I’ve also grown a personal brand of 170,000 followers through social media, something I started building while still a student at DSU. Today, I continue to grow my reach and create mental health content that connects with thousands of people every day. It’s been a journey of small steps that turned into something much bigger than I expected.
How did DSU prepare you for what you're doing now?
The impact of DSU on my life was immense. It gave me the rare opportunity to combine high-level sport with academics — a balance that most people in Europe never get to experience due to the operational differences of universities here. More importantly, it introduced me to a new culture, new ways of thinking, and a new sense of independence.
I owe a great deal to several people. Dr. Westfall, my academic advisor, was instrumental in supporting my academic growth. Dr. Kuzne who was a professor at Delta State at the time, made learning deeply engaging and fun — her approach to “student engagement” is something I’ve adopted in my own work and it has truly stuck with me. My coaches — Head Coach Mike Nienaber and Coach Redman — were like family and their support during the four years I played for them will always be a cornerstone of my personal and professional growth. The way they stood by me through injuries, setbacks, and challenges shaped me as a person and it is to a great extend what allows me to do what I do today.
And of course, my teammates, friends, and professors — there are too many to name, but their presence still echoes in the way I live and work.
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