College Game Day means something new to these CUAA athletic training alumni.
Graduates of Concordia University Ann Arbor’s master’s in athletic training are taking the field as professionals for the first time, some scoring roles with Division 1 athletic programs right out of graduation.
As a relatively new program at CUAA, two cohorts of graduates have completed the five-year program. The first group of students in May 2020 and again in May 2021.
A personalized student experience with big university connections
Director of CUAA’s Athletic Training program Dr. Timothy Neal and the rest of the faculty have over fifty years of experience at the Division I level in caring for athletes.
“Along with being a mission-driven university, CUAA is a great institution that fosters inter-professional collaboration. This helps develop students into effective and successful athletic training professionals,” said Neal.
In addition to a world-class faculty, the Athletic Training program collaborates within the university. They work closely with the School of Nursing in training the MSAT student on performing injections and starting IVs, and using their high-fidelity mannequins to enhance general medicine and emergency care skills.
When it comes to local collaboration, Concordia is well-positioned in terms of geography.
“The collaboration with the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan in placing our students for clinical experience helps expose the student to Division I settings and be mentored by a variety of athletic trainers besides the CUAA athletic training staff,” Neal said.
Related: Concordia health professionals lead U of M athletic medicine in simulated emergency training
Neal is proud of his graduates. “Our graduates are prepared to immediately enter the athletic training profession to make an impact and progress to success in the field,” he shares.
We caught up with a few of CUAA MSAT graduates. Check out what they’re up to below!
Lindsey Michalak (’21)
Northern Kentucky University
Athletic Trainer Intern (Softball)
“Working as an athletic trainer at the Division 1 level has been a goal of mine since starting the athletic training program. Concordia prepared me with the fundamental knowledge, unique clinical experiences and mentorship needed to become a successful athletic trainer. CUAA’s athletic training program has given me the confidence in skills and abilities to care for my athletes.”
Tim Koehler (’20)
Coastal Carolina University
Athletic Training Assistant (Football)
“Despite all the challenges I will be facing in this ever changing field, I am ecstatic to have received my degree from CUAA and I am blessed to have taken what I have learned and applied it in this field that I love so much.”
J’may Simmons (’21)
University of Georgia
Athletic Training Student (Football)
“Working at University of Georgia has been a great opportunity to gain more experience and expand my connections within the athletic training profession.”
Get your Master’s in Athletic Training from CUAA
Read about some of the way’s CUAA’s MSAT program stands out from others like it or visit the CUAA MSAT program page.
— Rachel Thoms served on Concordia University's Strategic Communications team from 2015-2022. Any inquiries about this story can be sent to news@cuaa.edu.
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