It’s currently March and I’m finishing up my second-year in the Dunn Sport and Wellness Scholars program. Our second-year graduation is on April 7th this year, which is crazy considering that I feel like I just got to Ohio State. Before I talk about my year in scholars, here are a couple of life updates:
- I became a fully certified, official University Ambassador! I absolutely love getting to lead campus tours and connect with prospective parents and students. The job has definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone and I’m thankful for all of the outgoing and awesome coworkers that I’ve met.
- I just submitted my STEP proposal and will be using my money to travel abroad this May with DSWS to London, England. We’re studying the foundation of sport and I can’t wait to further connect with my best friends and advisors while learning more about the world.
- I’ve been serving in a volunteer role in the Emergency Department at the James Comprehensive Cancer Center. I’ve LOVED my experience here and can’t wait to continue it in future semesters.
- I just got offered the position of being one of the DSWS Student Coordinators for the next two years! I can’t wait to impact two incoming first-year classes and be a part of my absolute favorite program at Ohio State.
- This March, I got admitted into the exercise science major at OSU. I can’t wait to further my education in subjects that I’m passionate about and ones that will be very applicable as a sports medicine doctor in the future. The faculty in the department are incredible, and I’m excited to see where it’ll take me.
- This summer, I’m going to start a new research position in the exercise science lab at OSU under Dr. Brian Focht. Right now, I’m still learning about what the trials are researching and shadowing baseline assessments, and I’m excited to continue working with the lab and getting more practical, hands-on experience.
Those are some general life updates and things that happened this semester. I’m so excited to see where I go in the future with all of these new involvements, commitments, and experiences. With that being said, the Dunn Scholars program has opened so many of these doors for me, both professionally and personally. Professionally, DSWS was the reason that I started my current job at the Dept. of Rec. Sports. I am an Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Director and being able to interact with professional staff members and help assist guest has improved my communication and improvisational skills. My new job will be with DSWS in the Department of Recreational Sports. I can’t wait to further my relationship-based leadership skills through interacting with first and second years as the Student Coordinator. I also will get to learn more about working in a professional environment, and also how to connect to students and provide programming and events to them that will be beneficial in the future. DSWS has also given me access to many working professionals in the sport and wellness field, and also offered professional development events where I learned how to improve my resume, cover letter, social media presence, and interview skills.
Throughout the past two years, DSWS has taught me so many different life lessons. Some of those have been that relationships matter the most, attitude can change anything, and that I can do absolutely anything that I set my mind to. The people that I’ve met in scholars have made the largest impact on my experience at Ohio State. They are my best friends, supporters, confidants, resources, and have made OSU feel like home to me. The are the reason that I absolutely love where I go to school and all of the things that I get to be involved in here. It’s cool that we are all able to bond over valuing wellness and health, and support each other in all of our goals. DSWS has also taught me that I can control outcomes of situations with my attitude. Learning to be more positive, understanding, and empathetic has allowed me to make mistakes, learn and move on from those, and be successful in the future. One of the biggest things that being in DSWS has instilled in me is that I can do absolutely anything. It’s helped me to realize the value of out-of-the-classroom experiences, and taught me to get involved in and do things that I’m passionate about. I’ve found student organizations, jobs, and a major that I’m passionate about all thanks to scholars. And it’s really awesome to be able to succeed in the classroom but then also have all of these incredible experiences outside of it too.
Looking at my first-year DSWS self compared to now is absolutely crazy. I’ve been able to mature, grow, and succeed in such a positive, flexible, supportive environment and feel like I’ve really blossomed into the Josie that I’ve always wanted to come. I’m so thankful for scholars and proud of myself for getting involved, doing things that I’m passionate about, and being open to new experiences. I’m most thankful for the people that this program has given me, and all of the shared memories that we’ll have for a life time. Here are a couple of the fun things that I got to do as a second-year scholar:
- Go to Hocking Hills for a weekend for the Second-Year Retreat
- Get five kids (first-years) to help mentor
- Serve as the Social Media Coordinator on our Leadership Council
- Organize, execute, and win the Family Reunion event with my fellow parents and kids in the Scarlet Fam
- Share fun scholars socials with my friends
- Sit together at all of the home football games
- Go to countless hockey games
- Have the BEST roommates
- Meet incredible professionals in the sport and wellness field
Scholars rocks. I can’t wait to see where I take my role as Student Coordinator in the future. Go Bucks!