What are your career goals / academic goals?

As of the moment, I plan to be a travel physical therapist in order to acquire experience in different clinical settings along with the ability to explore the different parts of this country. I believe that some of the few benefits I will gain from this experience include learning more about myself, uncovering the similarities and differences between cultures, expanding my culinary horizons and honing my ability to make new friends.

Why did you choose to pursue your graduate degree at Marist? Why did you choose to pursue this degree program?

I chose to pursue my doctor of physical therapy degree at Marist because of their reputation when it comes to research and evidence-based practice, in which an area of study is never perfected unless there is continuous search for knowledge. A few more factors that also made me choose Marist were the amazing and experienced faculty as well as the state-of-the-art facility.

Tell us about a project or course that was particularly meaningful to your professional development / academic development.

A course that was meaningful to my professional development was our first clinical experience, because it was the moment where we were able to transition from applying our learned knowledge from school to the real world, with real patients. I was pushed into recognizing how much I was capable of, and humbled into realizing how much more I still have to learn.

Tell us about a meaningful experience you had at Marist as it pertains to your degree (whether that be with a Professor, Marist service, Scholarship opportunity, etc.).

I would say being able to participate in events for the community was something I have always enjoyed while at Marist. The one I recently volunteered for this past September was the Parkinson’s Disease Walk over Water event which I always look forward to every year. I believe that any slight difference made can ripple outwards and lead to more significant change elsewhere. And there is no better place to start than making a positive impact in the local community.

What advice would you give to a student considering pursuing this degree at Marist?

Two pieces of advice that I would give to a student pursuing physical therapy at Marist:

Pursuing a physical therapy degree will probably be one of the most challenging experiences you will face in your academic career, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help if you need it. The faculty and staff all want you to succeed, so if you are having a difficulty with school or anything in your life, having a conversation with any of them can make a difference.

Never stop striving to grow your being - beyond your education. You will never know the person that you are destined to be until you start to push your limits and challenge the status quo.