Cameron Dobbs and PWYFA
Many titles describe Cameron Dobbs; star student, D1 athlete, coach, journalist, leader, motivator, speaker, podcast host, non-profit founder, fundraiser, servant, Christ-follower, influencer, and advocate, but in December 2020, Cameron was probably best described when she was named, “Difference Maker” by CNN. A video story highlighting her role and impact as the lead of Operation Christmas Child at the University of Miami aired on CNN, HLN, and hundreds of affiliates across the nation, along with a digital article produced by CNN.
Cameron Dobbs is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a three-time volleyball Player of the Year for the state. Among many awards, she received a Presidential Scholarship for her work and leadership in the classroom and a full athletic scholarship to play D1 volleyball at the school of her dreams, the University of Miami, Florida, where she was a leader and team captain.
After playing two seasons for the ‘Canes, Cameron suffered multiple concussions. Her third concussion during her junior year was catastrophic and brought her court time to an abrupt end, snuffing out a potential award-winning college career and her dreams of playing professionally. She was forced to medically retire in 2020. The arduous six-month mental, physical and emotional recovery following her injury tormented Cameron as she faced an enormous battle, uncertainty in her health, education, and future, and struggled with the loss of her known identity. Wanting to make a difference for others, Cameron became an advocate for the injured athlete and mental health and has successfully submitted guidelines to the ACC for adoption at member schools to serve future injured athletes and universities. Cameron also founded the non-profit UNCUT Miami, a story-telling platform for University of Miami athletes, and is a coach for her former Miami Hurricanes volleyball team.
Cameron is known for her pursuit of excellence no matter the role she serves. She founded PWYFA Play Where Your Feet AreTM, with the principles that helped her overcome challenges and losses and to be her best in the role she plays at the moment. She finished her bachelor’s degree in Communications with minors in Marketing and Advertising, Summa Cum Laude, in only three years, despite having incompletes for the fall semester after her life-changing injury. She was awarded the highest honor from the University of Miami in 2021, when tapped into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, and completed her master’s of Journalism in May of 2022.
Though she is a producer, videographer, writer, and editor, Cameron is a natural in front of the camera and an audience favorite. She was the color commentator for the 2021 ACC Championship Volleyball match, sideline reporter at the 2021 Cal Ripken World Series, a guest speaker at fundraisers, host and anchor of multiple featured segments for UM athletics and UMTV, President of Miami’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, executive board member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and a guest interviewee on many occasions and podcasts telling her story to inspire and help others. These roles prepare her for a career goal as a national reporter, event, and in-studio host for ESPN, for a lifestyle brand, for her own talk show, and to help others through PWYFA Play Where Your Feet Are™ podcasts, motivational talks, seminars, retreats, and camps.
Cameron Dobbs is an award-winning difference-maker, and her compelling and authentic testimony transcends all walks of life, ages, and genders. She is a dynamic storyteller, inspiring all audiences to be their best in their own role wherever in the classroom, board room, or on the athletic field, by her infectious enthusiasm, success in overcoming, unwavering faith in God, pursuit of excellence, and teaching others to apply the Play Where Your Feet Are concept to their own lives — no matter what, no matter where.
