Student Spotlight Kylie Dempsey

I originally chose WVU for Dance and Exercise Physiology, but more specifically, Dance Science within Exercise Physiology. The program combined two of my passions in life: physical therapy and dance. It wasn't until my senior year that I finally switched to the College of Applied Human Sciences, and luckily, I was able to continue my dance science program into a minor in Performing Arts Medicine. I really enjoyed the medicine-heavy side of Exercise Physiology, but as reluctant and terrified as I was to change my major so late in the game, the College of Applied Human Sciences offered the same route to PT school on the same timeline as the School of Medicine. I will say that I did not realize how much I was truly suffering at the time until I made the decision to switch majors.

My program has prepared me for my next chapter by opening so many new doors and opportunities for what I can do in life. It allowed me to get in tune with my mental health, and as cheesy as it is to say, it essentially allowed me to find myself and discover what I truly enjoy in life. It opened opportunities for me to choose where I wanted to go in life and so many job internship experiences that I never would have known of.

I believe what separates this program from others is the professors and staff, not to mention the variety of classes I was able to experience. Before switching my major, I did not feel as connected to or cared for individually by my professors. It felt like home! I was able to create more meaningful and impactful relationships with my professors, and it just completely turned my life in the right direction. I did not realize how unhappy I was until after a few months of being in my new major. Even the people around me could see the change in my mindset and commented on how much brighter I seemed.

I am someone who is definitely an overachiever, and while my parents were hesitant about me pursuing dance as a career, it helped them to know that I had a backup with another major in the health field. I find it hard to stay still, and I loved being able to take on two majors at once, and it definitely kept me busy! However, I did not foresee how I could eventually blend my two majors until later in my college career. It 100% had a positive impact on my career options and illuminated so many niche job opportunities for my future. Having a background in dance enabled me to understand more about the human body and related more to the health field than I expected. Ultimately, I believe that it allowed me to make myself more unique and desirable for future job opportunities.

It was, without a doubt, a challenge being able to juggle the two majors. I know dance may not seem like much of a major, but it is for sure one that keeps you busy. As dancers, we may not spend as much time in books as other majors, but we can put triple that amount of time in dance studios. I had a jam-packed schedule my first two years with three to four classes every day, which meant I had less time for my social life and was at a higher risk of burnout. I developed my time management skills, organization, leadership, positivity, critical thinking, and much more than the average college student. It was really challenging at times with more than 18 credits per semester and over 10 hours of dance per week. I do not know how I survived at times, but I did it!

My applied learning experiences made my time at WVU so much more enjoyable. This academic school year, I completed both of my internship and capstone experiences at Apex Physical Therapy with Jaime McGough, and I fell in love with it. My time there allowed me to navigate what route I wanted to take after graduation, and it expanded on so many skills I held as a college student. It also developed me that much more as a person.

I would tell my younger self to give myself more grace and compassion, something I learned in my Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation class with Dr. Sam Zizzi. I was always in a rush to get where I wanted to be, held such high expectations for myself, and judged myself too harshly when I would fail to meet my own timeline and standards. Looking back, I wish I had someone to tell me earlier that it was okay to not at first succeed, to change my major so late in the game, and to just help me see that I was already doing so much. I did not give myself enough credit for how trying it would be to balance my mental health, two majors, a minor, and a social life.

After graduation, I plan to apply to graduate school when it opens in June and eventually earn my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I hope to continue my education in June of 2027. Until then, I am working at Dance Studio, Better Together Dance, in Kearneysville, WV. I will be working with ages 3-18, teaching dance in various styles, creating choreography for recitals and dance competitions, and getting back in touch with my dance roots. I believe that a semi-gap year will be extremely helpful for my 5 years of hard work in college and burnout. Plus, I will be able to spend more time with my family, dogs, and the people that I love. An added bonus is I get to enjoy the joys of being an aunt!

he best thing about being a Mountaineer is the family and friends you cultivate in your time here. I met my lifelong best friends here, got to experience the exciting football games, and there's nothing I would have changed for the world. Everything led me to this point, and I am so excited to be able to become the fourth and last kid in my family to graduate from WVU!