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Growing up 20 minutes from Morgantown, Dominic Viani always imagined himself as a Mountaineer. Now a senior in the Physical Education and Kinesiology program, he's preparing for a career in education inspired by a former coach and his grandfather, a longtime physical education teacher. At the same time, Viani is building his own reputation by logging up to seven nights a week as a basketball official while completing his student teaching residency at the very elementary school he once attended as a kid.

Shauna Riggs came to WVU seeking independence without losing the sense of community she values as a West Virginian. As an elementary education major, she has found both, building her confidence in the classroom while also performing as a member of the "Pride of West Virginia" marching band. Between full days at school and evenings on the practice field, Riggs has learned to manage the demands of teaching and music while becoming the educator she set out to be.

Ian Finegan had never been to West Virginia when he applied to WVU. From just north of Baltimore, he was looking for a college that felt like the right fit, both personally and academically. He found that in Morgantown at WVU, where an initial interest in one major eventually turned into two. With guidance from academic advisors, Finegan chose to pursue degrees in Mental Health and Addiction Studies and Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, a decision that still has him on track to graduate a semester early and continue on to graduate school.

In classrooms where instruction is increasingly structured, Courtney Shimek’s work makes a case for the value of play, conversation, and curiosity in how young children develop literacy. Shimek, the 2024-25 CAHS Research of the Year, studies early childhood literacy and teacher preparation that focuses on how children develop understanding through authentic classroom experiences and how teachers can be prepared to support that process. Through her research and teaching, she encourages educators to remain flexible and reflective as they respond to how students engage with language in the classroom.

Kimberly Manning always aspired to be the kind of teacher that would not just support the academic goals of children, but also their social and and emotional development. She came to WVU from Oakland, N.J., and has continued to nurture that aspiration along with balancing her fieldwork, classwork, and campus life. She also added a transformative study abroad experience in South Africa in the summer of 2025 that helped expand her understanding of teaching and learning.

Selasi Asamoah juggled plenty during her academic career at WVU with a nursing degree, a multidisciplinary studies degree from CAHS, and tossing in three minors. While it was a lot, the balance of all of that work leaves her well prepared to be the best nurse she can for her patients. Her academic path taught her resilience, discipline, and the value of real-world experience, all strengthened by her faith and her family’s encouragement.

It seems like Emma Hardway has known two things for about as long as she can remember: She's always wanted to be a Mountaineer, and she's always wanted to be a teacher. Her passion for the profession remains strong, and the sentiment that it's a prerequisite has been enforced by her residency experience and her mentor teachers. She's looking forward to a career where she will continue to educate the next generation, both in West Virginia, but also abroad as well. 

Emily Chittester, a sport management major from DuBois, Pa., came to WVU knowing that sport wasn't just a playground and determined to make a career out of her passion. Her internship experience started in baseball with the WV Black Bears, and then later in football with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Adding a minor in applied mathematics, Chittester will graduate in December before continuing to work with the Steelers.

For James Stamoulis, WVU's strong reputation in the world of sport management was a strong factor in him deciding to become a Mountaineer. Now, on the verge of graduating, he confidently says that the reputaiton was well-earned. Stamoulis built on the academic foundation with his own initiative to create strong relationships with faculty and alumni that allowed him to maximize his time in Morgantown. Those relationships not only expanded his network but also helped clarify his direction as he begins his career in the sport industry.

Despite being in just his second year on campus, Aidan Forget is already a junior and has immersed himself in research in his field of study: sport, exercise, and performance psychology. The Wheeling, W.Va., native joined research projects as a freshman and is now looking to lead his own study on resilience in NCAA golfers. He's taken an active role in the Sport and Exercise Psychology Club in an effort to be at the top of his field as he pursues a career consulting, research, and teaching.

Kristine Ramsay-Seaner is advancing resources for rural middle school counselors through the USDA-funded Launch Fellowship. The initiative introduces counselors to careers in food and agricultural sciences while providing mentorship, peer support, and hands-on learning opportunities. Ramsay-Seaner sees her role as bridging professional gaps for practitioners in high-need schools, ensuring they have the tools, connections, and encouragement to better serve students. WVU’s support and leadership are featured in a recent video showcasing the program, and Ramsay-Seaner is now helping recruit the next cohort of fellows for 2026.

Lauren Fitzgerald, a senior from Fanwood, N.J., grew up surrounded by sports through her father’s career and her brother’s interest in the field. That exposure sparked her own passion for sport management, which she has since built on through hands-on experiences at WVU. From her experience with the New Jersey Jackals to her internship with WVU Athletics in Operations and Facilities, she has turned her family’s influence into a foundation for her own career path.

When Jade Stark arrived at West Virginia University, she initially planned to study nursing. But after taking her first Health and Well-Being classes, she found a better fit in patient care. The Manassas, Va., native built hands-on experience as an MRI Tech Assistant at Ruby Memorial Hospital, where she overcame her nerves, mastered skills like administering IVs, and discovered how rewarding it is to help patients heal. Stark says her time in the program and at WVU has given her a clear path forward in healthcare and a strong sense of community in the College of Applied Human Sciences.

A conversation with a West Virginia University alumnus helped John Mizerak realize he didn’t have to leave sports behind after high school. The Mechanicsburg, Pa., native came to Morgantown to become a Mountaineer and major in sport management. Over three years with WVU Athletics Marketing, he worked his way up to a student assistant role, helping shape game-day experiences across multiple sports. After graduation, he will pursue his MBA at Western Kentucky University and serve as the marketing graduate assistant for women’s soccer and softball.

Hope Wright, an elementary education major from Franklin Park, Pa., was inspired by a teacher at an early age and knew she wanted to be a similar role model to others. At West Virginia University, she balanced her academics with her love of music as a member of "The Pride of West Virginia." Wright’s hands-on experience in area schools helped her grow into the kind of teacher she once looked up to and strengthened her goal of returning to teach in her hometown.