Being a student-athlete in high school and looking for a college that fits your athletic and academic needs can be hard. We at the Niagara University Biomedical Research Institute and Niagara University can help. We have top notch academic programs and high quality division 1 athletics.
Carissa Haney is a member of Dr Mary McCourt’s Lab at the Niagara University Biomedical Research Institute. She is an important member of our undergraduate staff and a great softball player too! check out Niagara University Biomedical Research Institute or Niagara University to see if you want intellectual pursuits and athletic greatness like Carissa Haney, she also shares her story.
“I chose Niagara University because I was recruited to play softball at the collegiate level, and it immediately felt like the right fit both athletically and academically. As a biology major on the pre-med track, I was drawn to the environment, location, and especially the people. The strong biology program allowed me to continue my academic and athletic goals at the same time.
What I’ve appreciated most about Niagara is the strong sense of community and how willing everyone is to help students succeed. As a student-athlete and pre-med biology major, I’ve been able to take advantage of tutoring, advising, and professors who are understanding of athletic commitments. There are also many opportunities to get involved on campus, which has made my experience really meaningful.
Being a student-athlete has helped me grow a lot in time management, discipline, and perseverance. I’ve been fortunate to learn from my anatomy professor, Dr. Solomons, who has supported my academic growth in and outside the classroom.
I’ve also had the opportunity to work in the Biomedical Research Institute with Dr. McCourt and Dr. Mielnicki, where I’ve developed my research and lab skills. In addition, I serve as a General Biology teaching assistant with Dr. Currie, which has helped me better understand the material and grow as both a student and leader. All of them have been very accommodating with my schedule and have cheered me on throughout my experiences.
What makes Niagara special to me is the welcoming environment and how much people genuinely want you to succeed.
Looking ahead, my goal is to attend medical school and pursue a career in medicine. I am grateful for the experiences I’ve had at Niagara so far and how they’ve shaped my growth both academically and personally.”