Emily Davison: Outstanding Graduating Student
Emily Davison of North Waterboro, Maine is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of Education and Human Development. She is majoring in athletic training with a minor in child development and family relations. The UMaine Presidential Scholarship recipient also received the 2023 Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association Joseph Abraham Scholarship and 2022 Maine Athletic Trainers’ Association Wes Jordan Scholarship. Davison did her athletic training internship this spring at Foxcroft Academy and has had numerous athletic training clinical experiences with athletics teams at UMaine, Husson University and Hampden Academy. On campus, she also worked in the UMaine Ticket Office. Davison plans to pursue a master’s degree in sport management at the University of Central Arkansas while working full time as a high school athletic trainer. Her goal is to be an athletic director at a class AA high school in southern Maine.
What difference has UMaine made in your life and in helping you reach your goals?
UMaine has become a major stepping stone in helping me reach my career goals, mainly due to the extensive opportunities I’ve had access to in athletics. Through my clinical experiences, I’ve been able to work with numerous athletic trainers in the Bangor area, including at Division I and Division III colleges, as well as at a couple high schools. These experiences have allowed for easy and applicable networking to help me kick-start my career. Academically, I had the opportunity to get a full athletic training education that has adequately prepared me for a career in the field. I also had opportunities to work in the Athletic Department here at UMaine, which only added on to the experiences and knowledge I was able to gain in the crazy world of athletics. All of these experiences have inspired me to pursue a fulfilling career in athletics more than I could have imagined, and I’m extremely grateful.
Have you had an experience at UMaine that has changed or shaped the way you see the world?
Over the last two years, I’ve fortunately been able to attend the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association conference with a few of my classmates. These conferences allowed me to hear personal stories of athletic trainers fighting adversity and thriving within the profession, whether it be at the high school or collegiate level. It was inspiring to witness licensed clinicians express their passion for the profession, as well as their hope for the times ahead, allowing me to picture a greater future for my career in athletic training.
Why UMaine?
At first, I chose to come to UMaine since it was close to home, and I could go to college with one of my best friends. I honestly hadn’t looked into colleges all that much, but applied to places that seemed like a good fit for me. UMaine being the only Division I school in the state was appealing, as I knew I wanted to go to a bigger school in New England. Now that I’ve spent the last four years here, I’m very happy with my decision. The university has provided me with so many opportunities to establish a foundation for my career path that I don’t believe I could have attained anywhere else.
How would you define the opportunities for student success at UMaine? Is there any particular initiative, program, or set of resources that helped you succeed?
There are many resources for students to succeed here at UMaine, including the Peer Tutor Program. I was never a tutor, nor did I have a tutor at any point, but some of my friends have said it was very helpful for them. Additionally, professors are very dedicated and willing to help students succeed in specific courses, as well as within the programs as a whole. Your best resources by far are going to be your professors, as well as the upperclassmen in your program. My program in particular was relatively small, so I utilized the upperclassmen for advice whenever I hit a bump in the road. Likewise, professors are a great resource for not only understanding class content and program content, but also learning about real-world experiences that will help set you up for success in your field after graduation.
Have you worked closely with a professor or mentor who made your UMaine experience better?
I’ve had so many fantastic professors and mentors throughout my time at UMaine. All of the past and present professors within the athletic training program, including Sherrie Weeks, Dr. Nightingale, Dr. Lacy and Dr. Wright, have been great supporters of my education here at UMaine. Additionally, I’ve had many impactful clinical preceptors, including Orla Curran, Luke Bartlett and Jaclyn Tourtelotte, who have been great mentors of mine outside of the classroom. All of these individuals, as well as many others, have made my experience at UMaine more than I could have ever asked for. Additionally, my classmates have made my undergraduate experience incredibly fun and exciting, and I expect to have some lifelong friendships.
What advice do you have for incoming students to help them get off to the best start academically?
Probably the biggest advice I would give incoming students is to be the person that’s most invested in your learning. Professors believing in you, investing in you and helping you along the way is great, but you need to put the most effort into your educational career in order to get the most out of your academic experience. Along with this, don’t be afraid to approach your professors for help, as they’re all there to support you. Lastly, just work hard. Hard work from the very first semester will set the tone for the rest of your college career so start off on the right foot.
Contact: Margaret Nagle, nagle@maine.edu