Today@Sam Article

Commencement Spotlight: Alyssa Fitzgerald

July 18, 2022
SHSU Media Contact: Campbell Atkins

Each semester, the Commencement Spotlight series highlights graduating Bearkats with a “can-do” spirit through challenges and service. 

Alyssa Fitzgerald
Houston, Texas
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

19-year-old Alyssa Fitzgerald is used to being a step ahead of the game.

After all, she received her high school diploma and an associate degree in general studies at the same time most people hope to receive their driver’s license. She attended a small, private school in Houston that allowed her to pursue dual credits in her freshman year.

“At the time, we were one of the only schools that allowed freshmen to start a dual credit program,” Fitzgerald said. “It was the support of my family and friends that encouraged me to do that.”

At the young age of 16, the Houston native earned another associate degree as well as a cosmetology license before attending SHSU.

“I always knew I wanted to go to Sam,” she said. “I had a cousin and a family friend who went here, so I had been on campus before. Being from Houston, I could go home if I wanted to but, at the same time, I was able to be on my own when I wanted.” 

She arrived at SHSU in the fall of 2020, or in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, after receiving a transfer scholarship. Like many students who pursued their degrees during this unprecedented time, she admitted the early days on campus were the hardest.

“It was rough, basically all of my classes were online during my first semester,” Fitzgerald said. “Classes in general became harder because I do better in a classroom setting. I had never gone to a university before, so I didn’t really get to experience campus life at first because there weren’t many events going on.”

The following semesters, however, offered Fitzgerald the college experience she always hoped for. She was able to make more friends and establish a path to another early graduation. She learned more about the career she wanted to pursue through her work as a student aid worker for sports medicine and her Diamond Kats involvement.

“I worked with the sports medicine team at Sam Houston and was able to work with the football, baseball and softball teams this past year,” she said. “I just knew that I wanted to work in baseball, it has always been one of my favorite sports to watch. I played softball in high school, so I’ve always liked the environment.”

Fitzgerald’s career aspirations can be found on the baseball diamond. It is her dream to work for either a professional or collegiate baseball team in the future. In the meantime, she plans to move back to her hometown of Houston and pursue a master’s degree in athletic training.

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