Campus Celebrity: Faith Westdyk

YEAR: Senior

MAJOR: Athletic Training

HOMETOWN: Pompton Plains, NJ

What are you involved in on campus?

On campus I am involved in Habitat for Humanity, Club Lacrosse, Student Athletic Training Organization (SATO), NRHH- National Residence Hall Honorary Council, the Emergency Medical Reserve Corps and am a Student Ambassador. I was also an Orientation Leader two years ago and went to Dingle, Ireland with SHU’s study abroad program in Ireland!

What are your favorite activities you have taken part in at SHU?

This is a tough one but I have been fortunate enough to travel with the community of Sacred Heart and these have been my favorite activities. I have travelled to Texas and Georgia with our Habitat for Humanity campus chapter and to Mississippi and El Salvador with Volunteer Programs. My favorite memories at SHU all stem back to these trips. Through service I’ve learned and experienced the strong sense of community we foster at SHU and how dedicated we as a campus are to serving others. Students of all different interests come together with a common goal and this is something special. I’ve met some of my best friends through these trips and I love meeting people and then seeing familiar faces on campus. I’ve learned about myself and about others from all different areas and have had priceless memories on these trips.  I’ve also gotten to travel with the Athletic Training clinical rotations I’ve had- women’s soccer, baseball and football at SHU and not only did I learn about being an Athletic Trainer on the road- we had some great times!

As a senior, what is your most memorable or rewarding moment at SHU?

My most rewarding moments I’ve had at SHU are definitely moments I’ve experienced and continue to experience within my Athletic Training clinical rotations. It’s a special feeling when I’ve worked with an athlete on a consistent basis and I see them return to play and succeed. It brings a smile to my face consistently when I see athletes I’ve worked hard with, achieve their goals and in turn I have achieved mine. It puts all the time and effort spent in class, clinical, studying, and doing what it takes to somewhat master the information in perspective. I usually then see the athlete’s I’ve worked with around campus and it’s a rewarding experience to have this close relationship with them. It provides me a sense of satisfaction and gratitude, and keeps me motivated to keep working hard and enjoy the experience.

What are your plans for next year?

Next year I will be a Graduate Assistant at the University of Florida! I will be working towards a Masters in Athletic Training degree and working at a local high school as a Certified Athletic Trainer. I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity and am grateful for the education and support I’ve received here at SHU.

How do you want people to remember you at SHU?

 Oh wow, I guess I’d like to be remembered for my mentality. I’m a pretty positive person with some high energy and have a bit of a free spirit. I want to be remembered for the way I’ve made people feel. A smile and a helping hand go a far way and it is something simple. From friends, to faculty, to professors, to acquaintances, to athlete’s I’ve worked with and all other interactions, I feel I’m a fun person to be around and make most situations enjoyable due to my mentality. I’d like to be remembered as a hard worker with an open heart who keeps the mood light.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years I see myself as one happy woman! I hope work to as a Certified Athletic Trainer and Human Performance Specialist for paraplegic athletes sometime in my life. I believe these athletes have a unique spirit and I want to directly infuse my research findings within my Masters degree to enhance the performance of these athletes. I then see myself in I suppose 10 years or so working as a Certified Athletic Trainer and professor within an undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program at a Division 1 university. But who knows what doors may open and where my life may take me!

What do you in your spare time?

In my spare time I do my thing! I spend a lot of my free time with my family and friends and am always down for any type of activity. I enjoy exercising and am currently training for the NYC Triathlon this July for the 2nd year. I also love skiing in the winter and wakeboarding in the summertime, and hiking any time.