It's Possible as a Poet
“I want to become a physical therapist, and eventually open my own clinic. I am also interested in inpatient physical therapy.”
“My professional goal is to be a personal trainer and help people achieve their goals.”
You are both Kinesiology majors. What are your three favorite things about the program?
Marcus
1. The facilities. Going to class every day in the Science & Leaning Center and having access to clean and modern equipment motivates me.
2. The close-knit community. With class sizes being small, curating relationships with classmates becomes so much easier. I still have connections with friends who have graduated and look forward to seeing familiar faces in class each week.
3. The curriculum. KNS classes are designed to prepare students for the workforce. This past summer I had an internship at Alta Bates Medical Center in Oakland where I was working inside a hospital. What I learned in class made that transition seamless.
Aaron
1. The different courses. Learning about all the fields of kinesiology is great!
2. The community. It’s like everybody in the kinesiology program is one big family.
3. The resources and accessibility to different networks. They are available even after you have graduated.
Have Whittier professors surprised you in any way?
Marcus: Yes! I did expect to have good relationships with my professors here at Whittier since it’s a small school, but they care so much more than I could’ve imagined. Professors at Whittier care about each student and getting them to where they need to be. They have accommodated my schedule, know when I am struggling, and always put their best foot forward academically and on a human level.
Aaron: As a first-generation college student, I wasn’t sure I’d get the extra help I might have needed. But with small class sizes, the professors are always available to help.
How has playing baseball at Whittier enhanced your college experience?
Marcus: Playing baseball has given me a brotherhood since the day I stepped on campus. Being able to compete day in and day out with a group, all chasing a common goal, is an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. Committing time to the sport has taught me discipline, time management, and how to properly evaluate my priorities.
Aaron: Being a baseball player at Whittier College has been an experience that I will never forget. I am so thankful for being able to share the same goals and build lifelong brotherhood and friendships with my team.
How has the Whittier community supported you to be a successful student and athlete?
Marcus: From coming to watch our games to encouraging us on campus, there is a tight knit group of athletes and non-athletes who all push us forward. Even when going out in Uptown…I’ve encountered people who notice the baseball branding on my t-shirts and are genuinely interested in how the team is doing.
Aaron: The Whittier community has given us, as athletes, access to many resources that help us develop not only as athletes, but also as better people.
Why should a prospective student-athlete consider Whittier College?
Marcus: New student athletes always fit well into the Whittier community. Being able to prioritize both athletics and academics and spend time with members of other sports is incredibly valuable. Also, being in Southern California is pretty awesome — the sun is almost always out.
Aaron: The student-athletes on campus are like a little community that supports each other. We are all working together to achieve the same goals and it is awesome seeing everyone in that community succeed. It is an experience that I have been so thankful for and I would love for others to have it as well.
Has Whittier provided financial assistance to help pay for your college experience?
Marcus: I was awarded the John Greenleaf Whittier Merit Scholarship, which I am able to retain as long as I keep my GPA above a 2.0 and stay enrolled full-time.
Aaron: Whittier has given me plenty of help with grants and scholarships — and work study which is really helpful.
