The Kinesiology Merit Fellowships are given to students from educational, cultural, or geographic backgrounds that are underrepresented in kinesiology in the United States or at the University of Michigan. These students have demonstrated a commitment to diversity in the academic, professional, or civic realm through their work experience, volunteer engagement, or leadership of student or community organizations.

Read on to learn more about Sarah Miller, one of this year’s graduate fellows.
 

Q: What brought you to U-M?
A: When I graduated with my degree in exercise science, I went back home for a bit to take some time for a thoughtful decision about  what career path and future plan I wanted to pursue. I’m from Michigan, so I made the trip to Ann Arbor  to check out the graduate athletic training program knowing their Kinesiology department was rated among the top in the U.S.

When I talked with Tahirah [McIntosh, graduate student affairs coordinator] and Charlene [Ruloff, graduate student affairs manager] and some of the teachers, they were so welcoming and open to discussion about what this specific program has to offer. The program had a set foundation but room to make the experience my own. Considering this, I felt like U-M was going to be the right place for me.


Q: What led you to pursue a degree in Athletic Training?
A: I grew up competitively figure skating, and, during my gap year, coaching figure skating became  my full-time job. I fell back in love with the sport and the athlete interaction and relationship building dynamic present in fields of health care. That’s when I looked into athletic training and found the opportunity here.
 

Q: That’s cool! How did you get into competitive figure skating?
A: It just stuck. The first time I did a show, I think I was probably six or seven, and I fell in love with it. My parents thought they’d get me out there for fun to learn how to skate, and it became a hobby I never wanted to end. When we moved to Michigan, which is a big skating place, I started taking private lessons and began competing.

As I grew up, the challenge of competing, the getting new skills, the friendships were all fun. By the end of middle school, it became more serious. I spent half my days there and the other half training. Having that background, it's cool to work with athletes now and put myself in their shoes.

When I went to Michigan Tech for undergrad, I skated in shows for fun and kept coaching on the side. As an adult, it's a whole different experience. A couple of years ago, I found peace in the therapy of music and the partnership of music and movement together. That’s another reason why I love kinesiology — movement is therapeutic!


Q: What made you ultimately decide that you wanted to go into athletic training?
A: I have always loved learning. I still do. I had switched from engineering into the exercise science/pre-med route because I didn't want to stare at a computer all day as it seemed most engineers tend to have to do. And I loved the kinesiology-focused  classes! My time off from school gave me the opportunity to explore what I wanted to do more with my future career and with skating.

I’m also in the military. I went through the Reserve Officer Training Program while completing my undergraduate degree, and I’ve been in the Army National Guard for two years. I taught a military fitness class and loved it!


Q: What led you to want to be in the military?
A: I had grown up with parents in the military, so that idea was something I was used to. I wanted to jump out of a plane and wear a uniform; the cool stuff sounded exciting. But eventually, the foundational values of leadership and service towards something bigger than myself appealed to me even more.

I also looked up to my parents a lot, especially my mom, who talked a lot about the leadership experience and lasting relationships she’d found there. And I truly did feel that called commitment to serve my country. I look at the American flag, and I love to see the wind on it and see where our foundation of freedom came from. 


Q: What’s it been like to be in the National Guard and your master’s program at the same time?
A: Last semester, it was tough. I had one training that was 15 days in a row right during finals week, so I had to take eight exams when I got back. But I got through it, and my teachers have all been super supportive. There’s a student veteran association here that has helped me feel supported, too. They had a panel discussion last semester, where we talked about this academic relationship and heard from the perspective of other student veterans here.
 

Q: Overall, what's your experience been like in the athletic training program?
A: Fun and fulfilling. Very, very busy. In the summer semester, they hit us with a lot right away. But I think the fact that we’re all going through this together, my classmates and I, has been helpful.
 

Q: What athletic training rotations have you done so far?
A: Last semester, I was with the men's soccer team. They have a game every four days, and they're traveling a lot, so there was a lot going on. It was a great opportunity for hands-on learning and was a challenging yet fun environment.

This semester, I'm working with the University of Michigan Hospital with the MedSport Clinic. So we get different perspectives on all different kinds of things. Next semester I would love to work with the women’s gymnastics team!


Q: What are your long-term goals?
A: I have a dream goal to work with the United States Figure Skating Association and with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.  
 

Q: As someone who’s come from a unique background, how has the Kinesiology Merit Fellow program helped you?
A: There’s a lot of intermingling that happens. We’ve gotten to get together with the other KMF fellows within sport management and movement science master’s programs here just to talk. And that collaboration is really cool.

It really helps to know that in the future I’ll get to work with all these different people from all different backgrounds. That's one thing I learned in the military. You really don't have an identifier in the military except for your rank. They don't base a soldier’s value on race,  gender, or where they came from; you just do what you're told because you have a job to do.

You’re judged by your character and your ability to do your job. That’s how I want to encourage all of us to look at people: by their character and the contribution of their unique self.