Bridget Cullen, Jaeda Jackson and Tucker Young contributed to this story.

Ashleigh McKinzie, associate professor of sociology at MTSU, was found shot dead Thursday morning in DeKalb County, Tennessee. The shooting is currently under investigation.

McKinzie was a member of the MTSU community since 2017. She taught courses on sociological theory, gender studies and social justice. McKinzie received national and regional recognition for her research, which included awards from Sociologists for Women in Society, the Society for the Study of Social Problems, American Society of Criminology and the Mid-South Sociological Association. 

“You are part of a community that cares about you,” Leah Lyons, Dean for the College of Liberal Arts, said in an email to students. “If you need support, ask. We are here.”

The news of Professor McKinzie’s death hit some of her students hard.

Sierra Cruz took McKinzie’s Social Problems course her freshman year. Now a senior, Cruz recounted her experience in the class as formative, especially for her writing journey. 

“One thing I’ll never forget is that we wrote a paper throughout like half of the semester,” said Cruz. “And I can pretty much credit Dr. McKenzie [with teaching] me how to properly write.”

One thing that stood out to Cruz was McKenzie’s dedication to each student. 

“I still, every once in a while, stumble across that paper and I read it because I remember actually having fun in her class writing it, learning about it, studying it, meeting with her about it,” Cruz said. “Most college students hate papers. But Dr. McKenzie actually made me enjoy it.”

She added that McKenzie should be remembered for her kindness and passion for her work. She remembered the class environment as safe and open, and that McKenzie was a good listener.

Marcus Rosario, a junior journalism student at MTSU, described McKinzie as an enthusiastic, vocal instructor. Outside of taking her Social Problems course, Rosario often went to McKenzie to interview her for class projects. 

“She loved getting students involved within class,” Rosario said. “She was very enthusiastic about what she was talking about.”

Olivia Kilpatrick, a senior criminology student at MTSU, had her first class with McKenzie this semester. When the news broke, Kilpatrick was working on her final paper for McKenzie’s Violence in the Family class. 

“I am incredibly sad, and it’s tragic considering the content of her class and what we were learning,” Kilpatrick said. “And to see somebody taken in such a violent way after learning from them as an educator… is very tragic and very jarring for sure.”

Kilpatrick said the violent nature of the loss hit hard as a criminal justice major. She reached out to other people in the class and urged them to utilize the grief counseling resources on campus. 

Zofia Zagalsky, a Pro Counseling student, also took Violence in the Family. He spoke highly of McKinzie and the course.

“I think that she was a special person to a lot of different people, Zagalsky said.” “The suddenness of her loss and the nature of her loss is very hard to grasp.” 

He also encouraged students to check up on each other. 

“It’s just this sudden loss, it’s way too soon, just so young,” Zagalsky said.

Faculty remember McKinzie and offer support to students

Many of the university’s representatives have expressed their condolences and their support for students.

“Dr. McKinzie was not only a well-respected associate professor of sociology, but a caring educator whose impact reached far beyond the classroom,” said student trustee, Michai Mosby.

 Faculty Senate President and Political Science professor Michael Federici shared his condolences on behalf of the faculty.

“We are deeply saddened by her passing. Many of her friends were counted among the faculty at MTSU.” 

The six classes that McKinzie taught this semester are starting finals, and the Sociology Department is working to distribute the remaining finals and grading among faculty, according to an email sent by Shannon Hodge.

“Right now, know that we are here to support you; give each other grace and kindness, and be assured that Dr. McKinzie loved being your professor and gave her whole heart to her students,” Hodge said. 

The University is focusing on supporting students and faculty affected by the loss, Jimmy Hart,  senior director of MTSU News and Media Relations, said.

McKinzie was slated to teach four classes in the spring semester. The University is discussing how to cover those classes in a way that will minimize the impact on students.

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