3+2 Athletic Training Student Testimonials
Jackson Bowers
Class of 2025
How did the MSAT faculty support you in undergrad?
During the first couple of weeks on campus you declare your major in the 3+2 program and you are assigned an advisor that is an Athletic Training faculty member. I was assigned to Dr. Lisa Jutte. She has been my advisor since freshman year so I got to establish a connection with her and make connections with other faculty members. They also invite you to social events to get you ready for graduate school. I had the opportunity to be a standardized patient for the MAT students which helped me learn their perspectives on the program.
How did the Exercise Science faculty support you as an undergrad?
The faculty support is unwavering. I got to know most of the faculty my freshman year. They get to know you by name and build a personal connection. They also wrote letters of recommendation for me for internships and graduate school. They could truly attest to my academic and professional skills through our interactions.
What was one particularly memorable experience with an Exercise Science faculty member?
Every interaction with faculty felt personal, especially being away from home for the first time, they really cared about me and wanted me to be successful. When I told faculty members, I got into the MAT program everyone was so happy for me.
How was your internship? / How did it help prepare you for the MSAT program?
I completed my internship at Cincinnati Children’s in the cardiac rehab. I learned skills such as building rapport with patients that prepared me for the MSAT program and my career. Everyone was supportive during my internship.
Iain Kirby
Class of 2024
What was your favorite Exercise Science class / What is your favorite memory from a class?
Kinesiology and Special Populations, my favorite memory was from my Exercise Physiology class when Dr. Ashley Varol brought her child to class and we had to teach them different exercises and movement patterns. It prepared me to work in a high school setting especially during my clinical rotations. I have learned to simplify terms so someone who does not have an Exercise Science, Athletic Training or health care background can understand.
How was your internship? / How did it help prepare you for the MSAT program?
I interned at Pro-Force Sports Performance in Cincinnati Ohio for four hundred hours during the spring semester. I gained experience with high school and collegiate athletes. We created exercise plans with strength coaches. This internship prepared me for the MSAT program by gaining time management skills and learning how to balance school and a social life.
How did the MSAT faculty support you in undergrad?
Dr. Davlin-Pater was my advisor during my time at Xavier. She has been amazing at reaching out to me and being that voice of reason. She helped me plan each semester in the 3+2 program and provided me with the resources to be successful. Dr. Nathalie Towchik was also a great resource. She solidified to me through her Sports Medicine class that this was my true calling and career path.
How was it making friends with students in your program?
One of my roommates is a 3+2 student including some of my closest friends in Exercise Science and Athletic Training. We have almost all of our classes together and are going through the same things. We also have similar interests. Everyone in the program is kind and invites me to events. This program puts heavy emphasis on collaboration and relationship building.
Dylan Paracka
Inaugural Class of 3+2 program, graduated in 2021
What was your favorite Exercise Science class / What is your favorite memory from a class?
Nutrition or Exercise Physiology. I got to know my professors and it made it a more cohesive environment. Dr. Lisa Jutte was my professor for an Exercise Science and Athletic Training course. She helped me build the connection between exercise science and athletic training.
How was your internship? / How did it help prepare you for the MSAT program?
My internship was with Ignition AGP, an Exercise Science company that helps athletes get ready for the NFL draft. It set the tone for me to excel in my clinical rotations in the MSAT program. This internship also helped me prepare for the MSAT program by creating a balance for me in terms of clinicals and educational duties.
How did the MSAT faculty support you in undergrad?
The faculty has been fantastic. They work with you every step of the way and want you to be successful. Dr. Davlin-Pater was my advisor during undergrad. We got to work together closely and get to know each other. I also got interviewed by her for the MSAT program. That made it personal for me.
How was it making friends with students in your program?
A big reason for me deciding to go to Xavier was the sense of community and small class size. Most of the students in the 3+2 program had almost all of our classes together and we got to build that sense of community and belonging.