Star Athlete and Future Orthopedic Sports Doctor with Samantha

Transcript

Hi, everyone. I am a senior biomedical engineer major here at the University of the District of Columbia, as well as a proud member and co-captain of the women’s cross country and track and field team. As an international student from Jamaica, UDC has given me the opportunities to pursue both my academic goals and my passion for athletics in one supportive community.

I first learned about UDC through my coaches at my high school, which has had a long-standing relationship with the university. Through that connection, I was recruited to compete in track and field and cross country, and it quickly became clear that this was the place where I could run fast on the track and go far in the classroom.

As Firebird athletes, we not only get to compete at the NCAA Division II level, but we have access to some of the best facilities around. And what really stands out to me is how supportive the university is for student athletes. UDC understands we’re balancing demanding schedules between training, competing, and academics.

The coaches and faculty truly work together, and it’s paying off with a bunch of East Coast Conference championship titles across different sports over the past few years. Being a student athlete at UDC has taught me discipline, resilience, and how to manage multiple responsibilities, skills that will help guide me throughout my career.

Currently, for my senior capstone project, I spend a lot of time in the STAR Labs doing all kinds of biomechanical research. Being here has helped me grow as an athlete, a student, and a future professional. After I graduate, I plan to remain here at UDC to complete the prerequisite courses I need for medical school, with the goal of becoming an orthopedics sports doctor.

My journey started here as a student athlete from Jamaica, and UDC has given me the foundation to follow that path.