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Student Profile
Allison Chiu
Sport Management Sophomore
Name: Allison Chiu
Program: Sport Management
Level or Degree: Sophomore
What are you involved in on campus?
I am a part of the Adaptive Gymnastics Club, an organization that helps kids of all abilities enhance their motor skills and learn gymnastics. I am also involved with the club gymnastics team and joined Michigan Women Empowerment in Sport and Entertainment (MWESE) this past January. I have benefited from being around other women with like-minded goals who have taken similar classes I’m enrolling in. Finally, I took part in the school-wide mentorship program during my first semester.
How did you get involved with Adaptive Gymnastics?
I've always had a passion for gymnastics. It's one of my favorite sports. I was researching the university’s clubs and organizations and discovered the club gymnastics team and the Adaptive Gymnastics Club on MaizePages, which piqued my interest. I’ve always loved teaching kids gymnastics, and one of my life goals is becoming a gymnastics coach. It's awesome hanging out with people who have the same passion as you while teaching kids who may not have the same opportunities as you.
What does the program do?
The club partners with Bounce Gymnastics in Hartland, which is about 45 minutes away, and runs two classes every Sunday. During the first 30 minutes, we set up a huge obstacle course for the kids, and we help them along balance beams, bars, and trampolines. The second half is free time, and we assist them if they want to work on a new skill like a cartwheel or jump on a high beam. They can also jump on the trampoline, play hide and seek, play with bubbles, play tag, or just run. It's a free, safe space for them to explore.
What does teaching adaptive gymnastics mean to you?
I love teaching and working with children. I volunteered in a kindergarten classroom a few times a week before coming to U-M, so I got to know those kids and see them grow and learn their ABCs. It was awesome seeing them form words and sentences by the end of the school year. I also love watching these kids grow and do gymnastics, and I cherish getting to know what makes each kid special. These kids may not be treated the same elsewhere, but we're here to show them they belong by creating an inclusive environment.
What has being a Kinesiology student ambassador meant to you?
Our role is not only to help welcome incoming first-years and prospective students but also to be a leading example to parents, alumni, and anyone interested in the School of Kinesiology.
I love how U-M’s School of Kinesiology is a small school on a big campus. Since Sport Management is a smaller program, I know most of my peers and we're in many of the same classes. It's nice walking into a lecture hall of 500 people, spotting your peers, and knowing you aren’t alone.
How has the School of Kinesiology prepared you for your post-graduation goals?
The school does a great job, especially through Sport Management with the SM Go Blue Crew, of emailing opportunities to gain experience. I started receiving emails about volunteering at football or basketball games during my first few months at U-M, and you can’t get those experiences anywhere else.
What makes the School of Kinesiology unique?
I love how U-M’s School of Kinesiology is a small school on a big campus. Since Sport Management is a smaller program, I know most of my peers and we're in many of the same classes. It's nice walking into a lecture hall of 500 people, spotting your peers, and knowing you aren’t alone.
For example, we all came out of a public speaking class and were standing at the stoplight waiting for it to turn green. We were talking about our next semester courses, and we realized we were in the same classes!
What is your most memorable moment within the school?
It has to be volunteering to set up Chrysler Arena for a Saturday basketball game. It was incredible being in the empty arena setting up posters and placing glow sticks on the seats. Afterward, they let us on to the court and I did flips, which is an opportunity you don't get every day.
Tell us about your favorite experience in your program.
I took SM 101: Public and Small Group Communication during my first semester. We did a group project where we brainstormed a promotional idea for a professional sports team. My group’s idea was to bring live tigers to Comerica Park to help with fan engagement. It was a super creative, engaging project and helped me know my peers better. The presentation was fantastic, complete with tiger sounds and plush tigers my parents mailed me.
What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor?
I love some good old-fashioned retail therapy when I need a break from school. There's no better place for a college student to splurge than the Dollar Tree just down the road. Whether I need tissues, marshmallows for the dining hall, or Rice Krispies treats, I can hop on the bus after class, and it’s a ten-minute ride. There is a huge shopping plaza right across the street that includes a Marshalls, Five Below, Nordstrom Rack, Kroger, and much more. The public transportation system takes some getting used to, but once you figure it out, you open the doors to the many treasures around Ann Arbor.