Why Kayley Tigges is Double-Majoring in Psychology and Songwriting

Stressing the importance of following passion and potential whole-heartedly

Kayley Tigges is tired of hearing the response, “Well it’s good to have a back-up plan,” after sharing with someone that she is a psychology and songwriting double major. The junior does not look at one major as the best possible outcome and the other as a safety net, but rather both as pursuits of something she loves and is unwilling to compromise on.

She echoed the words of her mom that she still lives by today. “There’s always a way to do something, you just have to find the right puzzle piece combination.”

Pursuing Two Passions

Tigges displayed an early creative proclivity. Throughout her childhood, she loved writing, storytelling, theatre and music. Her desire to weave a narrative through song lyrics stuck with her as she grew up and factored heavily into her college destination decision.

At the same time, she always had a heart for people, the emotional intelligence to relate to others and a desire to listen their experiences. These inherent traits led Tigges to explore a potential career in psychology post-graduation.

“I always thought about being a therapist, and before I learned it was unhealthy to do so, I was a therapist to all my friends and everyone else,” she laughed.

While some may have decided to commit to one interest as a career and relegate the other to a hobby, Tigges was determined to find a way to major in both fields. That quest resulted in her discovering and applying to Belmont, a university that not only offers both programs, but excels in each.

“Honestly, therapy and songwriting are very similar,” she explained. “I feel like a therapy session reminds me of co-writing in a way. I have always thought they compliment each other extremely well — I just had to figure out how to make them work together.” 

Overcoming Challenges with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome

Finding these ways to live out one thing without sacrificing another is nothing new to Tigges who was diagnosed with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome as a child. However, rather than pause important moments in her life or aspirations she strives to achieve due to her diagnosis, she is always looking for ways to put herself first.

“We plan Loeys-Dietz around our lives, not our lives around Loeys-Dietz,” she wrote in an autobiographical story for the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation, an organization at which she has volunteered for years. She now sits on its mental health board and regularly volunteers with the organization to plan fundraising events, offer resources to parents and give others with the diagnosis the opportunity to connect with each other.

Research and Advocacy

Her own battle with her diagnosis spurred an interest in the mental health and wellbeing of those suffering from chronic illnesses and diseases. When her advisor and Assistant Professor of Experimental Psychology, Dr. Jessica Hocking, began researching body dissatisfaction and mental illness surrounding physical appearance, Tigges jumped on board as part of her SURFS research.

“I conducted a study on how culture and personal identity can mitigate body dissatisfaction,” she said. “I have always been interested in mental illness causation, but also how we can help it. I was looking at how specific traits that people strongly associate with their identity influence their identities, and if these traits negatively affect them.”

Her research was made up of a series of surveys she conducted with questions focusing on participants’ perceived closeness to their culture and measured how strong they felt in their personal opinions.

In addition, Tigges is busy writing and recording music under an alias. She does not view music as a lofty career goal that can afford to fall through because of a reliable psychology cushion undergirding her pursuits, but rather something she wishes to purse equally alongside science.

Breaking the Standard of Settling

“We need to get rid of the ‘Plan B’ part of career planning,” she said. “When going into any career, it’s scary — there is so much going on, and lots of times people don’t really know what they are doing. People are allowed to follow multiple things that they love, and there is a way for them to do that. That’s why I am double majoring and why I came to Belmont.”

As she continues to balance her academic pursuits, musical ambitions and advocacy work, Tigges serves as an inspiration to others. She is proving that with creativity and perseverance, it is possible to turn multiple interests into a cohesive and fulfilling life path. Her journey at Belmont University is not just about earning two degrees — it is about crafting a unique identity that embraces all aspects of her passions and potential.