Last April, Ellen rushed to the finish line of the Boston Marathon, pushing a wheelchair to scoop up a severely overheated runner. The runner’s mother frantically pleaded for Ellen to help as they rushed to the medical tent.

“It was very intense, but we’re taught to deal with those situations,” said the Division-I student-athlete who will finish her bachelor’s degree in athletic training in spring 2025.

As a marathon volunteer, Ellen experienced first-hand how quick on your feet you need to be with athletes and high temperatures. She credited her clinical rotations during her first three years at Marist for preparing her. Those included 10-week stints with local high school and collegiate sports teams, for a total of nine rotations.

The experience she enjoyed the most was one with Spackenkill High School’s football team, where her preceptor encouraged her to be as hands-on as she felt comfortable with.

“Maybe with another major, you learn about something, but you are trained once you are employed,” said the Kentucky native and lifelong competitive tennis player. “With athletic training, after your junior year, you should be able to function like a certified athletic trainer. As rigorous as the program is, it really prepares you.”

With a diploma in hand, Ellen is considering a doctorate in physical therapy. Ultimately, she wants to work with children, either in a pediatric health care setting or a tennis academy helping young athletes who want to go pro.