Health Solutions grad is just getting started
Elise Skeeters is graduating from ASU this fall with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.
With a desire to stay close to family, Elise Skeeters came to ASU in 2021 after going through a sports medicine program in high school. Now she is graduating with her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology.
In her sports medicine program at Sandra Day O’Connor High School, she found a passion for helping people, which fueled even more by her personal life.
Skeeters' mom has gone through three major reconstructive back surgeries — and she herself underwent the same procedure this past summer. Seeing how doctors and physical therapists helped her and her mom made her want to become a physician’s assistant.
“I love helping people. I love getting to form personal connections with people,” Skeeters said.
Skeeters remembers sitting in one of her early classes at ASU watching the 2015 Will Smith movie “Concussion” when she became enthralled with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
For her Barrett Honors thesis, she decided to tap into the creative process route and developed a website and Facebook group promoting CTE research and fundraisers.
“I feel like the more we know about it, the more we can start to make a difference and notice those signs and symptoms psychologically and even physically,” Skeeters said. “So that was why I chose to do that. It’s a challenge, but something that has been super enjoyable the past two years working on.
Skeeters reveals more about her experience and future plans in the below Q&A.
Note: Answers may have been edited lightly for length and/or clarity.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?
Answer: It started my freshman year of high school. I found the path I wanted to go down when I enrolled in an elective sports medicine class. I was just enamored by the topic, and it just hit me differently than any other class. It ... sparked a genuine interest, and I spent all four years of my high school in the sports medicine program and got to work alongside athletic trainers and all the athletes.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: I chose ASU because I wanted to stay close to family. I have two little brothers who are 6 and 9. They're my whole world, and I want to be able to be close to them to see them grow up.
Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: I wouldn't say there was one specific thing that changed my mindset. I think my overall experience at ASU taught me to never give up and never stop reaching for my dreams. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: I would point out three. It would be Lindsey Markwell, Tannah Broman and Kristin Hoffner. They're the iconic trio of our major. I think they all emphasize making lasting relationships. When you do that, the learning becomes so much better and you just enjoy your undergrad so much more — being more involved and never saying no to a challenge, because when you say yes to a challenge, it's going to open up so many opportunities. They just really pushed me to do that.
Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?
A: I would say either Health North or the second floor of Cronkite, where the TVs are and everything.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: I would just say to never give up. There's going to be so many obstacles in the road, so many hard times where you think I can't do this, I can't do this anymore. It's so overwhelming; I'm so stressed out. I think the best thing we can do is prove ourselves wrong at that point, and just keep working hard, because the work you're putting in is going to be worth it in the end.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I am going to physician’s assistant school after I graduate.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: I would say let's give $40 million to CTE research. There's a lot of research out there on certain imaging that can be done in the living for CTE. I think if we donate more money to the research on CTE, we can help put this neurodegenerative disease to shame and hopefully just make a better future.
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