Ashley Brewer

Kinesiology major | Disabilities study minor | Blue Hen Ambassador

Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:

Empowering. Life-changing. Authentic.

Why Ashley chose UD:

"UD's College of Health Sciences has such a strong reputation. I knew I was going to love it. I toured the campus and loved it. STAR Campus and main campus are both amazing.

How it felt to step foot on campus for the first time:

“I was a junior in high school, and I remember walking in and feeling at home. Many other schools didn’t have that feeling. UD felt new and fresh, and I had such a good gut feeling.”

Why did you choose your major?

“I’ve always been interested in movement and exercise and how the two intertwine. Exercise has always been important to me, and I always think about people who can’t move how they’d like to. I knew kinesiology would prepare me well for physical therapy, so I can help people move in ways they didn’t know they could or get them back to where they strive to be.”

Post-graduation plans:

“I am entering the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the Massachusetts General Institute of Health Professions. I’ll be closer to home. MGH was always my dream, so I’m very excited.”

How did UD prepare you for your future career?

“The classes in my junior and senior years solidified that PT is what I want to do. I also studied abroad in New Zealand during Winter Session with two health sciences professors—Nancy Getchell and Todd Royer; they were so amazing. They talked to us about PT school and prepared us for that process. They wrote my recommendations for PT school.

"Studying abroad helped me appreciate movement differently. We did a lot of hiking and biking, and it showed me appreciation for what the human body could do. I never thought in a million years I would bike for 20 miles or do a 12-mile hike up a volcano. I was astonished that I did that, so it made me appreciate that the human boy is capable of more than you think, and I want to show my patients that.”

Favorite academic experience:

“Having the Physical Therapy Clinic on campus has been so helpful in solidifying what I want to do and helping me get my hours for PT school. Shadowing graduate students has been so helpful because they know what you’ve been through as an undergrad.”

Favorite non-academic experience:

“I’m a part of UDance, and that has also brought me closer to knowing that I likely want to work in pediatric physical therapy, specifically, with children with cancer. I was our chapter representative my sophomore year, and I’ve been on the executive board for the past two years. It’s been the biggest pleasure of my entire experience.”

What does being a Blue Hen mean to you?

“Being a Blue Hen means you’re excited about your future, passionate about changing your future, and taking advantage of everything there is to offer here.”

Matt Carr

Honors human physiology and liberal studies double major

Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:

Rewarding. Fun. Transformative.

Why Matt chose UD and his major:

“I picked UD because of the human physiology major and the Medical Scholars Program. I knew I wanted to pursue a career as a physician, and I felt that the program and the major would give me a good opportunity to do that.”

How did UD prepare you for your future career?:

“UD prepared for medical school through the coursework. It’s been rigorous but rewarding. It also gave me several extracurricular opportunities to practice teaching others and research--those soft skills that aren’t as built into the curriculum. I conducted research in Darcy Reisman’s lab, where we focused on rehabilitating people with stroke—helping survivors walk better.”

Post-graduation plans: Attending Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University.

Favorite academic experience: Dr. Richter’s Cadaver Lab. "It’s challenging, but I’ve learned so much—more than I ever thought I could, and I think that will give me a head start in medical school.”

Favorite non-academic experience:

“Serving on the President's Student Advisory Council this year. I was fortunate to do that. We meet once a month with the president and others in the administration. We talk about the state of UD and work to solve problems to improve UD for other students. It’s been a really cool opportunity. We’ve emphasized how important it is during these uncertain times to have strong communication between the leaders of the University and its students.”

What does being a Blue Hen mean to you?

“Being a Blue Hen means being a lifelong learner who works to make positive change in the world around them.” 

Jumaris Hernandez

Honors human physiology major | Forensic science minor

Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:

Educational. Comforting. Inspiring.

Why Jumaris chose UD:

“A main factor was that I received a Distinguished Scholars Award, which is competitive within the Honors College. Being part of a smaller community within the Honors College was very exciting since I came from a very small high school. Coming to such a large school as UD was intimidating, but this program made me feel so comfortable and wanted.”

How it felt to step foot on campus for the first time:

“The first time I stepped onto campus was after I was accepted at UD. I walked on the Green with my family, and seeing all the brick buildings, it felt like I was in a movie, being somewhere so beautiful.”

Why did you choose your major?

“I’ve always been interested in biology, and I realized in high school that I wanted to be a medical examiner, and the human physiology major gets you through all your medical school prerequisites.

I’ve always loved crime TV shows like Law and Order and Criminal Minds. I remember realizing one day, as I watched Law and Order, that the medical examiner is the one who solves the case for the detectives.”

Post-graduation plans:

"I plan to take two gap years and work as a medical technician, potentially at a morgue, before heading to medical school."

How did UD prepare you for your future career?:

“I got all my prerequisites for medical school, and I’ve gotten such a comprehensive view of the physiology of the body.”

Favorite academic experience:

“My cadaver anatomy class. It’s been such an exciting undergraduate experience that many other schools don’t offer.”

Favorite non-academic experience:

“Living in Redding—the honors dorm—my first year. We created such a community together, and I've known people in my classes since freshman year, and we’ve gotten closer as the years went by.”

What does being a Blue Hen mean to you?

“Being a Blue Hen means community friendship and just joy.”

Riley Pennington

Kinesiology major | Minors in strength & conditioning and health, physical activity, and disability |

STAR Ambassador

Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:

Growth. Fun. Eye-opening.

Why Riley chose UD:

“Being from Delaware, I knew I wanted to come here, and when I decided I wanted to be a physical therapist, looking at the program, I just knew this was where I needed to be.”

How it felt to step foot on campus for the first time:

"I felt comfortable, safe, and like I belonged.”

Why did you choose your major?:

“When I was younger, I wanted to be a medical examiner, and I really fell in love with exercise and working with people, so I decided to go the PT route, and I knew kinesiology would get me there.”

Post-graduation plans:

“I am going to UD's Physical Therapy program! I graduate, and two weeks later, I’ll be back! I’m so excited.”

How did UD prepare you for your future career?:

“My major set me up perfectly for PT school, with all the prerequisites I needed. I double-minored in additional subjects that were intriguing to me. The connections I made further pushed me to advance in my career early and invest in opportunities I may not have received elsewhere. In addition, being a part of such a great school and campus community helped me feel confident that I would one day be successful in my career.”

Favorite academic experience:

“I did a research project through Delaware INBRE, where we went to parks in DE and assessed them for safety and accessibility for people with disabilities. It was really eye-opening to me.”

Favorite non-academic experience:  

“Meeting people in my major; we’re a tight-knit group.”

What does it mean to you to be a Blue Hen?

"Being a Blue Hen means building connections that will last forever and feeling successful and supported in all of your endeavors. Blue Hen pride is something that is unmatched, and I am so proud to be a Blue Hen!"