Graduate Spotlights
Nora Hanlon
Major: Sport and Exercise Psychology
Minors: Sport Coaching, Human Services
Hometown: Middletown, N.Y.
How has CAHS prepared you for your next chapter?
I am grateful to have learned from the best. The amazing professors in the sport
and exercise psychology program have been able to show me all of the possible
outcomes with this degree, as well as offering me a plethora of opportunities
to get the most out of my time here as a student.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I plan on earning a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with the
goal of becoming a sport psychologist at a university so that I can help student-athletes.
What was one of the challenges you faced as a student?
I think all my fellow graduates can relate to the COVID burnout. It was extremely
difficult to maintain my work ethic and even harder to be invested in it. Morgan’s
Message [a club on campus dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental
health] helped me find purpose in my learning when it felt lost.
What was your favorite part of your WVU experience?
My favorite part was being a member of the women’s lacrosse team at WVU. I was
able to heal my relationship with the sport and make the most amazing friends.
My experience truly wouldn’t have been the same if I didn’t try out for the team.
Lauren White
Major: Coaching and Performance Science
Area of Emphasis: Strength and Conditioning
Hometown: Jackson Township, Ohio
Why did you choose WVU CAHS?
I attended WVU CAHS because I have always known that I wanted to be a strength
coach. When I was in high school, my own strength coach sat me down in the weight
room office and helped me find WVU CAHS. The weightlifting club was also a big
deciding factor for me when choosing WVU.
How has CAHS prepared you for your next chapter?
My professors at CAHS have worked with me closely for the last four years to make
me a confident and knowledgeable coach ready to enter the field. Dr. Hornsby
has always been there for me, helping me to grow and learn, providing me opportunities
for internships and conferences to attend, and discussing coaching with the weightlifting
club.
What are your post-graduation plans?
After graduation I will be joining the master’s program at WVU CAHS as a graduate
assistant strength coach at an area high school. I am extremely honored to be
able to continue my education at WVU and continue to learn from and be mentored
by some of the best professors in the field.
How did you overcome challenges you faced as a student?
I was able to overcome challenges as a student by reaching out for support from
my family, friends and mentors. My advice to someone going through the inevitable
challenges of school would be simple: don't quit! I am very fortunate because
I have always had my parents as my biggest supporters. They always are encouraging
me to stay with it and to keep working.
What was your favorite part of your WVU experience?
My favorite thing about WVU is the West Virginia Weightlifting Club. When I stepped
on to campus as a freshman, I immediately joined the club and instantly had a
family surrounding me. I eventually became the club president, helped coach my
teammates and I was able to compete in weightlifting at a national level. I made
lifelong friends and memories at the club, and it will always be my home away
from home.
Jeremy Davies
Major: Sport Management
Minors: Marketing
Hometown: Elizabethtown, Pa.
Why did you choose WVU CAHS?
The reason I chose WVU CAHS is because of the passion and pride the community shows
for the school. It's one big family and you work so closely with your peers that
you understand the value that holds. Mountaineer nation will forever be a deep
family in my eyes.
How has CAHS prepared you for your next chapter?
The College prepared me for my next chapter by creating so many professional networking
experiences. That allowed me to fully invest my skills and become a better overall
student. The teachers within the department work so hard and are committed to
us students thriving as professionals. I’m grateful for their commitment.
What are your post-graduation plans?
My plans after college are to work in the professional sport industry. I would
like to work in sales or be a part in how to help run the facility and daily
operations.
How did you overcome challenges you faced as a student?
I sought help and comfort. My professors and advisor were key resources in helping
me in troubled times. Help centers such as the Carruth Center helped me with
my writing and professionalism. It wasn’t easy to overcome some of the challenges,
but utilizing these resources is what helped lead to my success as a student.
What’s your favorite thing about WVU and Morgantown?
My favorite thing about West Virginia University is the family setting and the
passion of the students. Regardless of the outcomes in sports, we are always
going to have a smile on our face and have fun. The culture at WVU is incredibly
meaningful to me and is the main reason I chose to be a Mountaineer. Let's go!
Margaret Bennett
Major: Health and Well-being
Area of Emphasis: Women’s and Gender Studies
Hometown: Scott Depot, W.Va.
Why did you choose WVU CAHS?
I initially chose Health and Well-Being because I knew the program would help me
meet the admissions requirements for WVU’s accelerated nursing program, but the
program has grown to mean much more to me.
How has CAHS prepared you for your next chapter?
Throughout the program, I was given opportunities to gain hands-on experience in
my future field and grow the skills needed to succeed. I am ending my time in
the program with an understanding that the CAHS faculty will always be there
to support me. Most importantly, the program prepared me by fostering my passion
for health promotion and community health.
What are your post-graduation plans?
Starting in January, I will be continuing my education through WVU’s accelerated
nursing program.
How did you overcome challenges you faced as a student?
I only had one semester in college before COVID-19 began. Starting college was
a big transition and adding a pandemic made everything more challenging. The
support from my professors and friends, along with maintaining a good school-life
balance, helped me renew my passion for learning and desire to pursue my career
and educational goals.
What’s your favorite thing about Morgantown?
My favorite thing about Morgantown is the small-town feel and the feelings of safety
and inclusivity for all individuals. I love the outdoor opportunities that surround
us and the opportunities within Morgantown that have allowed me to connect more
with the community beyond WVU. There is so much art and adventure to experience
in our city and I am forever grateful to WVU for leading me here!
Jordan Lococo
Major: Health and Well-Being
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Why did you choose WVU CAHS?
I had originally transferred to WVU with the intention of studying nursing. The
Health and Well-being program allowed me to explore careers in the health field
and led me to ultimately change my plan to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant.
How has CAHS prepared you for your next chapter?
CAHS has prepared me to think about community health in a more holistic sense.
The program helped expose me to problems facing rural communities. When I graduate
from PA school, I hope to provide care in underserved communities.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I was recently accepted into Ohio University’s Physician Assistant program. For
the next two years, I will continue to explore my interests in health care. Since
attending WVU I have grown a passion for making health care more accessible in
rural areas.
What was a major challenge for you as a student?
Learning became much more difficult in the online format during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, this experience taught me a lot about myself and how important studying
with peers can be.
What’s your favorite thing about Morgantown?
The rail trail and White Park are amazing places to mountain bike, hike and run.
I know that I have these outlets to enjoy the outdoors close by whenever I am
stressed.
Blake Costalupes
Major: Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology (PhD), Clinical
Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling (M.S.)
Hometown: Riverbank, Ca.
Why did you choose WVU CAHS?
The SEP program at WVU is internationally recognized for graduating individuals
that make a big difference in the field of mental health and sport psychology.
For me, this program is unique in that we are dual enrolled in a master's degree
program for clinical mental health counseling. This degree will qualify me to
work with athletes on their mental health as well as mental performance. I chose
WVU CAHS because of this relationship with counseling.
How has CAHS prepared you for your next chapter?
CAHS has provided me opportunities to get any and all experiences I have needed
to be competitive in a variety of different career paths. I have been trained
to conduct high-quality research, teach undergraduate sport psychology and counseling
courses as a graduate teaching assistant, work with local NCAA Division I and
Division III athletic teams as a mental performance consultant, and fulfill my
counseling internship in a college athletics department.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I recently accepted a position at Towson University as the Behavioral Health Coordinator
for clinical and sport psychology starting in January.
How did you overcome challenges you faced as a student?
There is no getting around the difficulties (expected and unexpected) that come
from this kind of doctoral program. I was surrounded by some incredible people
during my time at WVU that I have relied on heavily.
What’s your favorite thing about Morgantown?
My favorite thing about Morgantown is the surrounding nature and enjoying the seasons
(we don’t get those in California).
What’s your favorite thing about WVU?
My favorite thing about WVU is the life-long friends I have made.
Coco Alvarez-Mena
Major: Sport Coaching
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Why did you choose WVU CAHS?
I chose WVU CAHS because of the quality of education it offered paired with the
flexibility I needed to maintain my full-time job as a professional ballet dancer.
WVU is a well-known university with school pride, rigorous academics and a strong
sense of community – qualities I knew I wanted in a master’s program.
How has CAHS prepared you for your next chapter?
The program has prepared me to think critically, learn from colleagues, manage
my time, and most importantly, to remain curious and open-minded to new knowledge
and solutions. After completing my degree, I feel prepared and empowered to take
on new challenges within the coaching industry. It has inspired me to take my
education a step further and pursue sports psychology in addition to coaching.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I plan to continue my professional ballet career as a company dancer with the Joffrey
Ballet in Chicago and continue teaching ballet to aspiring young dancers. Additionally,
I plan to receive further certifications and/or degrees for sport psychology
and begin working with dancers and other athletes on their mental training as
well as their physical training.
What were some of the challenges you faced as a student?
Balancing a full-time professional ballet career while coaching young dancers and
completing a master’s degree presented many challenges, but the most pressing
challenge was time management. WVU pushed me to be as efficient as possible in
order to successfully accomplish everything I wanted to. I learned how to multi-task,
work smarter and be present so I could focus on what I needed to in that moment.
What’s your favorite thing about WVU?
My favorite thing about WVU is the support offered amongst the students, professors
and administration. Although I completed my degree online far away from Morgantown,
I always felt like a true member of the University and supported by Mountaineers
everywhere.