Summer Lewis: Academics & Athletic Training

Summer Lewis is a senior majoring in kinesiology with a concentration in neuromechanics within the College of Education. She serves as one of the student-athletic trainers for the football team.

“It is amazing. I’ve been working to get here since freshmen year, and everything is coming full circle for me now. I prayed, worked hard, got my grades up, and I’m here.”

Summer is a member of several student organizations housed in the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center including the I.D.E.A.L Woman, NAACP, and the Black Student Association. Summer set her sights on the Athletic Training program early in her collegiate career and was accepted during her junior year.

“I applied for the program three years in a row. Months went by. I didn’t hear anything. I checked with different people around campus, and they suggested I work on my GPA. I did that and shortly afterwards, got accepted.”

Once starting the program, Summer was assigned to the track team. After just one season, she was evaluated and reassigned to football for the new school year, a defining moment in her journey.

“I just had to get my foot in the door before God put me where I wanted to be. Now, the group I’m assigned to on the football team is the safeties, and I like seeing their progress from treatment, which influenced me to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. I grew up with two older brothers, so it reminds me of when I was younger, helping my mom to tend to the injuries they got playing football in high school.”

As a senior, Summer’s initial plans were to return to her hometown near Tuskegee, AL; however, her experience in athletic training, along with experiential learning opportunities afforded by the  TRiO program in the Office of Access and Success, has reshaped her thinking.

“Initially, I planned to go home after graduation, but I got my own apartment and started taking my future seriously. Being in this program showed me the opportunities and experiences out there for me. Going on grad school tours and seeing what they have to offer helped me to realize that I don’t HAVE to go back home. I want to branch out and continue seeing what else is out there for me. Home will always be there.”