Find a Way
Spencer Mauk was born with hearing loss in both ears, creating the need to wear hearing aids. But that didn’t stop her from getting involved in sports from a very young age. She played several sports growing up and eventually played flag football and basketball in high school.
So when Midland University announced the addition of a women’s flag football team, the decision to come here was a no-brainer for Spencer. Playing the sport her whole life and wanting to be a part of the new program made it an easy choice, but the feeling she got after coming to campus sealed the deal.
“The campus was beautiful and all the staff and students I met were super friendly and easy to talk to.”
Along with being a digital marketing major and a member of the women’s flag football team, she also plays for the Team USA Deaf and Hard of Hearing basketball team. When she isn’t playing flag football or working out, you can find her hanging out with friends and her new team. After graduation, Spencer hopes to move to Australia and eventually get a job there.
“I never let my hearing hold me back or stop me from doing anything I want.” ‘Find a way’ is a mantra that Spencer tries to live by every day, and while her time at Midland hasn’t been without its share of obstacles, she always finds a way to overcome it.
“I face an everyday challenge of hearing people and it is even harder with the face mask that we have to wear. I am constantly reminding people that I need them to speak louder so I can hear them.”
To Spencer, being a Warrior means being a part of a community that cares about each other and wants to see them succeed and go somewhere in life. Even though she is relatively new to campus and being a Warrior, one piece of advice she would give to fellow Warriors (new and old), is to not be in a rush to make experiences. They will come, but you have to put school first. You can’t party hard if you’re failing hard.
Spencer Mauk is a sophomore Digital Marketing major from Bradenton, FL. To share your story or nominate a friend, email social@midlandu.edu or post using #FacesofMidland.
