This week is Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week! Thank you to our wonderful graduate students who contribute their knowledge, time, and talents to the School of Kinesiology. It wouldn’t be possible without all of you.

In celebration of Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting School of Kinesiology graduates’ words of wisdom, passion for their fields of study, and contributions to the School of Kinesiology.

In 2020, when classes transitioned online due to COVID-19, graduate student and Behavioral Physical Activity Laboratory (BPAL) research assistant, Amanda Folk was there to support her students by creating asynchronous lecture videos.

“In-person, the class sparked good discussions or questions, even in the quietest of sections, and I only hope my students can move forward feeling empowered with these tools and knowledge.”

Alec Basten, now an M.S. student in exercise science and a research assistant in the Skeletal Muscle Plasticity and Regeneration Laboratory (SMPRL), was inspired by his undergraduate honors experience at the U of M and recommends it to other students.

“Take that leap. If it’s available to you, I would recommend at least exploring it. It gives you more of a real-world or a graduate school kind of experience. It was really rewarding for me, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking to take their undergraduate education to the next level.”

Tony Harris Jr., a PhD student and Behavioral Physical Activity Laboratory (BPAL) graduate assistant, shares his love for kinesiology.

“With kinesiology, I can use my passion for physical activity, health, and wellness to improve the quality of life for whomever I serve. I never would have thought I would be able to study and work here in one of the best kinesiology schools in the country. Getting the opportunity to build my foundation in this field and learn about who I am and who I can become, expands the possibilities ahead of me and the limited perspective I started with.”

Efrat Abadi, a doctoral student for sport and exercise psychology and Tucker Center research assistant, shares why she feels work done in the Tucker Center is inspiring.

“Our center is the first research center of its kind in the world dedicated for the study of girls and women in sport, and tries to accelerate system change through research, education, and outreach. Working in the Tucker Center, I feel inspired by the cooperation and collaborative work of powerful, strong, determined women working together.”