Why did you choose the College of Health at OSU to pursue your studies?

I knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in kinesiology. After looking at all the programs and visiting Oregon State’s campus I knew that it’s where I wanted to spend my undergraduate years. I could not have picked a better university or a better program to study under. The College of Health provides such amazing opportunities for success in undergrad; I truly feel that the professors and staff here want to see their students do well.

What sparked your interest in health?

Like many kin majors, I was injured playing sports in high school, which is where I gained my first exposure to the health care and rehabilitation field. It instantly piqued my interest, and my love for the topic has only grown throughout my time here at Oregon State. Working in health care will allow me to do what I love while caring for my community.

Why are you interested in research?

I think that research is such a critical part of the health field, and I have personally never been part of it before. This project is on a topic that is very important to me and is crucial to future health professionals, so this project was the perfect opportunity.

What research will you be working on and with whom?

I’ll be working with College of Education professor Beth Rankin studying the outcomes of the trauma-informed care class she introduced to the university last year. We will be evaluating how first-year teachers are using their trauma-informed care skills from this course in a professional setting. This research is critical to finding the best way to teach trauma-informed care in a university setting.

What are your future career and/or academic plans?

I plan to finish my bachelor's degree in kinesiology here at Oregon State and then attend medical school to go into the physical medicine and rehabilitation field.