Faith Black, who graduated in December 2024 with a rehabilitation science major, a psychology minor and University Honors, had no shortage of involvement and achievement during her time here at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

She’s proud to have become a “trusted point of contact in the rehabilitation science program for current students to ask me questions on how to get the professors' trust to receive more difficult clinical cases.”

One difficult but rewarding clinical case for Black was a client with Parkinson’s disease. The professor needed a skilled and empathetic practitioner to work with the patient, so he entrusted Black with the job. Black went through protocol and training with the client. The client’s doctor, who had been treating the person for 23 years, said it was the best progress he has seen with this client, thanks to their work with Black.

Black also was a fitness instructor for the UW-Eau Claire Parkinson’s exercise program and worked with Community Fitness Program as a fitness instructor for the past two years. She was in the Kinesiology Club throughout her college career and served as a teacher’s assistant for the kinesiology program, helping with several different classes. One of Black's particularly rewarding experiences was working in PRIDE Kids and PRIDE Dance, both part of the program Physical Activity and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities in the Eau Claire area.

Black also distinguished herself as a researcher. She worked with a team of four other students to research the “optimal timing of caffeine consumption before resistance training to maximize power output.” They completed a manuscript based on their findings in 2024. Black’s team focused on the timing of caffeine consumption before resistance training, making their study different from others surrounding caffeine and training. Black explains, “We chose a niche area for a reason, because there’s nothing on it except one study done in Europe 12 years ago.”

As a result of Black’s determination and hard work, she received the Community Engagement Scholarship from the College of Health and Human Sciences. This scholarship is voted on by faculty members in the kinesiology department. Black received the scholarship in recognition of her dedication to serving the community and for using her knowledge and skills to help others.

Honors achievements

Black’s dedication also left a positive impact on the Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College. She was a mentor for Honors Helping Honors (HHH), a student-run peer mentoring program, before becoming a co-director of education for Honors Student Council. Black is proud of these positions, explaining, “not every student gets the opportunity to be a co-director in education for the Honors College.”

In these roles, Black ran a complex program that helps new Honors students to find their home on campus by matching them with peer mentors and offering a scaffolded series of gatherings, outings, and events.

In November 2024, Black represented Honors Helping Honors and the Cosby Honors College at the National Collegiate Honors Council conference. She led a roundtable with another UW-Eau Claire Honors leader, Samara Gries, in collaboration with Honors students from Purdue University Northwest. Black and her peers shared information about their programs, discussed results of the assessments of their programs,  and helped students from other honors colleges develop plans for new programming.

Dr. Heather Fielding, director of the Cosby Honors College, noted the impact of Black’s leadership on other students. “Faith has really left a legacy in Honors, and it was amazing to watch her represent our program nationally and to share all that she has learned about supporting other students with her peers from other institutions.”

Additionally, Black has served as a tutor for Professor John Magliocco’s honors course, Credit Cards and Beyond, for the past 2 years. She has nothing but great things to say about this course she took freshman year, saying, “It covers A-Z in adulting 101, about the stuff nobody wants to talk about but everyone needs to know.” For example, students track their expenses for one month and learn how to properly budget and plan. In her role, Black assisted Prof. Magliocco in developing course materials and led discussions.

Career aspirations

Black, who grew up in Union, Kentucky, was initially interested in pursuing forensic science. However, that all changed when she was 14 and began getting injuries from sports. An ongoing joke started with her physical therapy doctors. They would say, “Well, eventually you’re just going to take over,” but then she realized she actually enjoyed PT. Black began shadowing PT professionals her junior year of high school. She came into college already having been involved in the healthcare setting.

Black “discovered the rehabilitation science major and I thought it sounded cool, and then after reading into it, I was very interested.” What drew her to the program specifically were the clinicals and varying populations students in this major get to work with. The content they learn mirrors graduate programs, with some graduate students sitting in on their classes. Black emphasized the hard work involved by explaining, “We are learning at the level of a master‘s student while getting an undergraduate degree.”

UW-Eau Claire was the perfect choice for Black as she “wanted a community, not just a school,” which she found in the kinesiology department and the honors college. Here, she was able to make lasting connections with her professors and peers.

Future plans

Black is grateful for the community she got through the Honors Student Council and honors college events. She says, “It would seem unbelievable to my younger freshman self that now I’m able to lead freshmen and other Honors peers.” She feels that her leadership positions at UW-Eau Claire have prepared her for life beyond graduation by giving her the opportunity to manage a complex program, develop professional communication skills and get real-world experience in her field. UW-Eau Claire, Black says, “is just a place I don’t want to leave.” 

Though she might miss UW-Eau Claire, Black's bright future has already begun. This fall, Black begins graduate school at Boston University, where she will be pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy. 

Written by Eve Quick, a UW-Eau Claire student and publications Intern in the Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College.