What inspired or interested you about your field of study? And why did you choose OSU? 

Oregon State University has a wonderful kinesiology program that emphasizes a multidimensional approach to studying human movement. 

This field specifically interested me because my background in competitive sports for over a decade cultivated an excitement for identifying the details of how the human body moves, responds to stimuli and adapts. 

OSU merges these concepts through the lens of anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biomechanics, and research, which led me to choose the kinesiology program.

What are you doing in your internship?

My experience as a teaching intern in the Cadaver Lab required that I interact with students in the Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab course (BI 241, 242, 243) throughout the term to cultivate and facilitate their learning.  

Each assigned lab section presented the opportunity to answer questions, gauge understanding of course materials, create helpful learning analogies, and effectively communicate content presented within the lab.  

In this position, I helped teach the human body's musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine, reproductive, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and digestive systems using dissected cadavers and three-dimensional models.

What do you see as the greatest value of your internship?

This internship provided significant value by simultaneously broadening and fine-tuning my communication skills.

To be successful, I evaluated the individual learning styles of each student so I could communicate the course material to them in an accurate and relatable manner.

As a future athletic trainer, this ability will allow me to effectively interact with my clients in a way that helps them understand the injury and road to recovery.

What do you think of your experience at OSU/in the college so far? Any stand-out experiences?

Since becoming a student in the College of Health, my experience at OSU has been incredible; I have enjoyed wonderful opportunities to not only learn specific facets of kinesiology, but also the application of my major in real-world contexts.

My internship provided experiential learning, which allowed me to practice and develop skills that will become highly influential in my career as an athletic trainer.

Dedicated and accessible faculty members and the countless opportunities provided through this program, including research and this internship, have cultivated an excitement for and a deeper understanding of my future profession.

Have you received a scholarship? If so, how has it affected your life and your studies?

Along with acceptance to OSU, I received the WUE Scholarship, which was a great honor and generous blessing over my academic pursuits.

Each term, I am grateful for this financial resource, which has given me the freedom to fully explore and experience the depths of my studies. As I have diligently stewarded this gift, it has brought the additional recognition of my receiving the Drucilla Shepard Smith Scholastic Award for each year of my time at OSU.

What are your post-college dreams/plans?

Injury management and prevention fascinate me, so I intend to pursue a career in athletic training, which requires a master's degree.

My desire is to merge this with my love of western equestrian sports, becoming an athletic trainer at rodeos across the country.

In conjunction, my interests in research and teaching will further develop my career aspirations.