Name:  Jordan Kimura
College/University: Concordia University - Irvine
Year in school: 4th (GR)
Major: Master of Business Administration
Sport: Women's Tennis

Jordan Kimura earned NAIA All-American and All-GSAC Team honors for the third consecutive season...Earned ITA All-American for singles and doubles...Received NAIA Champions of Character Award for the 2nd consecutive year...Played primarily #2 singles and #1 doubles spots...Received ITA Academic Achievement, Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete and GSAC Scholar-Athlete...Nominated to serve on the inaugural SAAC committee and co-team captain for the upcoming season...Received "Golden Season" award for being first player to post an undefeated record at Concordia...Graduated Summa Cum Laude with B.A. in Graphic Design and will graduate May 2012 with her Masters in Business Administration, both within 4-year eligibility...Member of national leadership organization Omicron Delta Kappa and ITA Scholar Athlete...Received Award of Excellence for graphic design and member of Dean's list every semester with an overall GPA of 3.91.

1. What is one thing you didn't know as a freshman coming into college that you wish someone would have told you?
One thing I didn't know was that I would be able to earn my Bachelor's and Master's Degrees within my 4-year athletic eligibility time frame.

2. What do you like most about competing in college sports?
Being a collegiate athlete has been extremely rewarding. Competing against top national and international players has been a rich and diverse experience.

3. What do you like in your teammates? 
My teammates are very supportive and so much fun to be with in our practices, matches, traveling and off the court as well.

4. What do you like most about your college team?
My teammates are all very accomplished players who come from all around the world and they are very dedicated. We have a great team because we focus on our own strengths and it all comes together in the matches. Coach Jonathan Sanchez is also a big part of our team as he guides us to our goals through his wealth of tennis experience, knowledge and leadership.  He is so easy to talk with and encourages us to always strive for greatness.

5. Do you have a mentor? If so, who and what is the best piece of advice he/she has ever given you?
I would have to say my mentor is my mom. She's always been there with kind and empowering words of advice and encouragement. My personal values have been developed through her advice, that strength of character, a positive attitude and a grateful heart are the best strategies in overcoming challenges. I also draw inspiration from my younger sister Ashley. Born with severe special needs, she fuels my inner drive to overcome obstacles by always giving it my all. 

6. What is a unique strength you bring to your team?
Coach Sanchez has said it's my focus, adaptability, anticipation and consistency. Being passionate about tennis, I am so grateful that I am able to do what I love while on a full scholarship throughout my college career. It's a culmination of what I have been working towards since I was eight years old and took my first tennis lesson.

7. What is one thing you do in practice that helps you reach your goals?
I have always been very focused on maintaining a high level of performance and focusing on performance goals rather than just winning. Always striving to improve on different parts of my game, I focus on key skills I would like to improve on and communicate that to my coach and we work on those things. Challenging myself with intermediate goals gets me that much closer to the main goal of performing my best in match play.

8. How do you get focused/pumped up before a big match?
I do everything I can to prepare by getting a good night's sleep, eating a nutritious meal, being hydrated, getting in a light practice session right before the match and maintaining a positive attitude.

9.   What are your plans after graduation? Do you feel that being a student-athlete has helped guide you in that?
I'm on track to complete my MBA this year and my future plans include obtaining a doctorate degree while continuing to learn and grow. I am very interested in the health sciences because of my life experience with my sister and all of her medical challenges and I would love helping those who seek to get healthier. Being a student-athlete helped me to maintain focus, discipline and time management while walking confidently towards my goals.

10. What has been the greatest moment in your college sports career?
It was the quarterfinals at Nationals and it all came down to my match whether or not we would advance to the semifinals. I was playing a very tough competitor and in the hot Alabama heat, I lost the first set and then won the second set and the third set! Our team advanced to the semifinals and I was so grateful that I had won the match for the team and thankful that they were shielding me from the sun during breaks while keeping me hydrated. It was also incredible earning the "Golden Season" award and becoming the first Eagle in Concordia University-Irvine history to post an undefeated season. Being honored with All-GSAC, All-American, Scholar Athlete and the NAIA Champions of Character Award were great honors also. I can hardly believe this is already my fourth and last year as a collegiate athlete, I have so many amazing memories!

11. Talk a little about your character. What skill sets have you learned by competing in college sports?
Fortitude, resilience and personal integrity have been core to my character on and off the court.

12. How will that help you later in your future career or in a leadership role?
Those values help me to stay focused on my goals and to always try my best even in the most challenging of circumstances. My own personal leadership style is visionary and strategic and I value resilience and personal integrity.  I make decisions quickly, formulate a clear yet flexible game plan and take prompt action towards the vision. I enjoy motivating and inspiring by a quiet presence and empowering style. Tennis has taught me so many life lessons that I will always carry with me.