Undergraduate Programs
Alumni SpotlightCamille Barton
General Kinesiology, 1994 As a Physician Assistant in Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine with The Orthopaedic Center of Corpus Christi, we not only care for the local community but also serve as team physicians for Texas A&M University Kingsville and Corpus Christi as well as for Semi-Professional Baseball and Hockey Teams in the Corpus Christi area.
Further education:
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Physician Assistant, 2001
Reflections on time in KHE:
With a fulfilling career as a Physician Assistant in Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, I look back fondly on my time as a student in the Department of KHE. The Department fostered an environment of camaraderie while I earned a world-class education in Kinesiology. This provided the solid foundation for my career in Orthopaedics. It was this early introduction to the importance of networking which proved paramount to developing lasting professional relationships and personal friendships with faculty and fellow students. These long-term connections have enhanced not only my professional development throughout my career, but my personal life as well.
Words of wisdom:
Take the time to cultivate lasting relationships with those you meet in your college years, while pursuing a career path that is most fulfilling to you. Many of those friends and acquaintances will be your future colleagues and lifelong friends. HOOK ‘EM HORNS!!
Alumni SpotlightSam Ditzell
Health Promotion and Fitness, 2000 Owner and trainer, Austin Fitness Clinic
Reflections on time in KHE:
Remembering my time in the departments isn’t easy; it was some time ago. I see myself as a very different person then, but I suppose that’s the point. I didn’t give enough credit to the program and the people instructing me when I was there. I was in such a hurry to get out into the world and start. I remember thinking at times that my studies were holding me back and delaying my career. When I finally started working, I was shocked at how prepared the program had made me. My career experience was coming fast, and without my time in the department as a foundation, I couldn’t have kept up. That foundation was vital, but even more so were the people, the contacts within the faculty that I met as an undergrad. Jumping into the world of personal training, I didn’t feel like I was alone. Having kept in touch with these same professors, I continue to utilize their guidance and support some 13 years after graduating. These relationships remain by far the most valuable part of my undergrad years.
Words of wisdom:
Make a lot of mistakes. I’ve learned so much more from mistakes than achievements (in school, but especially in my career). If you decide to go to graduate school, don’t drop out like I did. I had delusions in 2000 about continuing my graduate studies later on in life, but life will always get too busy. Treasure the people in the program rather than the class material. The material is replaceable, but the relationships with your professors and fellow students are not.
Alumni SpotlightJennifer Donnelly-Straach
Health Promotion and Fitness, 2002 Physical Medicine and Rehab Physician at Spine Team Texas specializing in the non-surgical management of spine disorders, with associated nerve testing.
Further education:
Medical Degree, Texas Tech 2002-2006
Internship, John Peter Smith Hospital 2006-2007
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine Residency, Emory University 2007-2010
Reflections on time in KHE:
My health promotion and fitness degree has continued to be helpful throughout my career as a physician. As part of my program, I was involved with the personal training of other students. Almost daily, I use the knowledge I gained to speak with patients about exercise routines and exercise modifications to help treat their pain and promote general health and wellness.
Words of wisdom:
Take advantage of learning everything you can from the amazing faculty at UT. Expose yourself to the many different occupations that you can work in with a Kinesiology degree, so you know what your options are. Get involved in on campus activities and volunteer in the community.
Alumni SpotlightErin Madden
Health Promotion and Fitness, 2003 Owner, East End Fitness
Reflections on time in KHE:
The time I spent in the KHE department was extremely memorable. I loved being enrolled in a program that I was so passionate about, and that I knew would prepare me for my profession. I found the entire faculty and staff to be very supportive and helpful with all of the steps of my degree program.
Words of wisdom:
My advice to students is to trust the process: all of the hard work does pay off. Don't miss out on big opportunities, and build relationships with your professors.
Alumni SpotlightVanessa Martínez Lagunas
Health Promotion and Fitness, 2004 PhD Candidate in Sports Science at the University of Leipzig, Germany, UEFA Pro Soccer Coaching License Holder & FIFA Women’s Soccer and Grassroots Instructor
Further Education:
M.A., Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology, 2007
Reflections on time in KHE:
I am extremely grateful for the time I spent in the Kinesiology and Health Education Department at UT Austin. The education, guidance and support I received from world-class faculty & staff members have influenced my professional and personal life in a very positive way. It was in KHE that my passion for teaching, research and coaching was born, and where I learned lessons and skills that have opened many doors for me at the international level. I am very proud to be a “KHE Longhorn.”
Words of wisdom:
- Dream big and set your short- and long-term goals;
- Be passionate about what you do; and
- Learn to speak foreign languages.
Alumni SpotlightDavid Middaugh
Health Promotion & Fitness, 2007 Austin Manual Therapy Associates. Currently attending the Manual Therapy Institute for Orthopedic Manual Therapy Specialist Certification.
Further education:
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Texas State University, 2011
Reflections on time in KHE:
I could not have imagined my time at UT being any better than it was. I grew in more ways that I expected, as I was challenged not only academically, but socially and spiritually too. Some of my best memories came from getting to know my classmates and professors in the kinesiology department. The faculty challenged me to pursue going to graduate school and find out what I really was good at in life.
Words of wisdom:
Strongly desire to know and understand the truth about your life, education and environment - then stand in it. This is what I learned to do at UT Austin and I can’t imagine life without it.
Alumni SpotlightJustin Newman
General Kinesiology, 2006 Physical Therapist at College Station Medical Center
Further education:
Masters of Education, UT Austin, 2007
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, 2011
Masters of Science in Athletic Training, Texas A&M University, 2013
Reflections on time in KHE:
I truly cherish my time as a Kinesiology student at UT. The experiences and relationships I built are some of my fondest memories: from volunteering with Austin School for the Blind, to promoting health and fitness in the community, and observing toddlers for Motor Learning. My professors in Kinesiology not only prepared me for graduate school, but also demanded my best as a student and prepared me to be a professional.
Words of wisdom:
Figure out what it is that you are passionate about, and seek out a mentor who is doing what you'd like to do. Volunteer, intern, or get a job as an assistant. Be a sponge! Try to learn and absorb as much as you can from an experienced mentor in your field.
Alumni SpotlightHanson Yang, DPT, PT, ATC, LAT
Athletic Training Education Program, 2006 Physical Therapist, Assistant Athletic Trainer with the Dallas Cowboys
Further education:
Masters of Science, Kinesiology, University of Nevada Las Vegas
DDoctorate of Physical Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Science Center
Reflections on time in KHE:
The athletic training program at UT gave me the skills I needed to pursue my life long goals. It provided a great education and life skills that I will be able to pass on to others. I also gained many great friendships and contacts that will help in the present and future. Everything that I have learned and gained I owe to where it all started, and that is at the University of Texas.
Words of wisdom:
Work hard and work harder all day everyday.