Name: Zina Weaver
Year: Junior
Major: Biology
Minor: Psychology
Hometown: Aiken, SC
What are you involved in? Why?
I have been a Peer Mentor since sophomore year, because I am a people person, so being able to help freshman in general is really cool. Being a Peer Mentor is a part of the First Year Experience, but I also help to plan tailgates before basketball games, organize homecoming events, the Fall Festival, Eagle Madness, and other events that are tailored towards first year students.
I’m involved in BCM, because I love the people there. My faith has always been important to me, so finding a community of people where faith is also important to them is great. It’s also nice to have a support system when you need it. In addition to BCM, I’m involved in Ignite, which is a different worship style from BCM but it resignates with me in a different way than BCM.
I work as a facilities attendant at the West Center, which means I help make sure that the gym is upkept and that people have a safe experience working out. I am in the newly started Disney Club, where I help to plan events and different theme nights. I am a Disney fanatic, so it makes my heart happy. I’m on Hall Council where I help to choose different events for the residents that they would enjoy. I’m also a Peer Academic Coach, which is a spring position for first year students who have stuggled academically and/or socially during their first semester at Winthrop. I’m like their personal motivator, cheerleader, I help them develop good study habits, organize their time, and my goal is to make their semester better than their first one.
Why did you come to Winthrop?
When I came here I had no idea what I was doing. Financially, it was the better option. Until I actually came here I had no reason I wanted to be here. But, after my first semester I realized Winthrop is amazing! I don’t think I could see myself anywhere else.
What do you want to do?
I want to be a Physical Therapist. At first, I thought I wanted to work with athletes, but now I think I want to work with children and the elderly. If I could specialize, I would work with one of those groups , but I am open to anything.
Tell us about your current internship.
I work at Select Physical Therapy. I just started, but it’s already really interesting! The type of patients who come in have different attitudes about being at physical therapy. Regardless of how they feel, they are there to get treatment and help. It’s cool to relate to them and help them. It’s a really insightful internship. The Physical Therapist has to figure out how to work with different patients. The people are nice and the patients are interesting.
What are your plans for the future?
Graduate from Winthrop, then hopefully on to MUSC or USC Columbia for graduate study in PT. Then, I want to get my doctorate in PT. I like the south, I have family in California, and Disney is in Florida so anywhere is cool to live. I want to see where my future takes me, then maybe I will go back for Occupational Therapy certification. As long as I’m by my goddaughter, I’m good!
What do you do in your spare time?
I read poetry write poetry. I’ll watch any number of Disney movies. I also like spending time with my friends and my goddaughter. Basically, relax and destress.
What is your favorite thing about Winthrop?
The community and how much they support the students and the opportunities and the connections. The community is really homely and a small town feel, and I like the location and the feel of it. The campus is beautiful, and I love how open it is.
Interesting fact about yourself?
My first time going out of the country was over winter break! I went to parts of Germany and the Netherlands.
Who do you admire most?
I admire my friend Joy the most. She took on a role that not many people our age are ready to do or are expected to do. She found a way to make it all work. She works, goes to school, and commutes 2 hours to see her daughter. Sometimes you think you have a lot going on, but then you look at her and see how incredible it is that she can do it all and more. And she brought me my godbaby!