What made you choose the University of Northern Iowa?

I chose UNI because of its affordability and good reputation. Having two of my older siblings attend UNI and being able to attend UNI alongside my twin brother made it a pretty easy choice for me to come here. It is the perfect size school, providing big school opportunities with small school class sizes. 

What have you enjoyed the most about your experience at UNI? 

The thing I have enjoyed the most at UNI is by far the people. All of the professors and staff are personable and truly care about student success. Living in the dorms my freshman year allowed me to meet people from different backgrounds and make many new friendships. 

What first sparked your interest in your major?

Entering college, my passions for movement and health, combined with my strong family history of educators led me to pursue a degree in physical education. Early into my freshman year during my entry level teaching experience I realized the classroom setting was not where I belonged. During that time, I was taking an Anatomy of Human Movement class alongside many kinesiology majors, which first sparked my interest in kinesiology. This interest then led me to observe a physical therapist where I fell in love with the profession. After finding my passion for physical therapy, I met with the Kinesiology Department Head, Fabio Fontana, who highlighted the major and how well it sets students up for success in physical therapy school. 

What have been some of your favorite aspects of the major? 

The professors in the Kinesiology Department are the absolute best and truly care about their students. They are passionate about the subjects they teach and demonstrate the importance of physical activity themselves, as many have run marathons and Ironmans or officiate collegiate athletics. The major is also very hands-on, as we are constantly up and moving around rather than just sitting all day. One of my favorite parts about this was getting to share with my roommates all of the fun and interesting stuff we did in class. 

How have you been involved outside the classroom?

There are many great student organizations across campus that I have been fortunate to be a part of during my time here at UNI.  Serving as an executive board member these last two years in the Pre-Physical Therapy Club has been a big part of my time here at UNI. When I was a freshman, the leaders of the club helped shape me and I am grateful to have been in the position to do the same for other students. 

These past two years, I have also been involved in an undergraduate research group studying the effects of creatine and caffeine on cognitive and exercise performance under the supervision of Dr. Terence Moriarty. This has given me a unique, hands-on opportunity to apply what I have learned from the classroom to the real world. It has also helped me grow professionally through attending and presenting our research at a major exercise science conference.  

Furthermore, I worked these past two years at the Wellness and Recreational Center, which has allowed me to help pay for expenses while still prioritizing school with the flexibility of an on campus job. 

Which professors or mentors have had the biggest impact on your time at UNI, and how?

While all of the professors in the Kinesiology Department have made a large impact on me, Dr. Moriarty has had the greatest influence on me. As my research faculty supervisor, he has shown me first hand the importance of continual research and being a lifelong learner. In the classroom, Dr. Moriarty challenges students academically through the demanding courses he teaches in an encouraging way. One example of how he does this is with the championship belt he gives to the student that receives the highest exam score on every exam. Beyond academics, he also recognizes that there are always going to be difficulties in life and lets his students know that they can always reach out to him, even after graduation. Dr. Moriarty has been a great role model and is a large reason why I have grown during my time here at UNI, both as a student and person. 

What are your plans after graduation?

Attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota for physical therapy.

In what ways has UNI and your major helped prepare you for your next steps?

UNI has helped prepare me not only professionally, but personally for the next steps in my life. The professors at UNI truly care about student success in the classroom and personal life. The small class sizes with the big school resources have given me plenty of opportunities to gain experience while in school, such as leadership roles and research. UNI also offers many great services, such as career services and student organizations that have helped prepare me for graduate school and entering the workforce in the future. 

What advice would you give to students who are thinking about pursuing this major?

The kinesiology major is one of the most fun and interactive majors on campus. It highlights how important physical activity is and allows you to actually partake in it during class. It is also very broad and sets students up for success in a variety of future pathways, such as strength and conditioning, exercise physiology, or continuing education in graduate school.