Meet Exercise Science graduate Clarissa Schlottman ’24
Meet Clarissa (Hilary) Schlottman, a Minnesota volleyball player whose passion for athletic training led her to VCSU. Within the last few months, Clarissa completed her undergrad, got married and started grad school to pursue her Master of Athletic Training.
Hometown: Elk River, Minn.
Major/Minor: Exercise Science and Rehabilitation major with a coaching certificate and strength and conditioning certificate.
Graduation Date: May 2024
Favorite sport to play: Volleyball
Favorite sport to watch: Basketball and Baseball
What brought you to VCSU?
I loved the small town setting of campus and that it was easily walkable with small class sizes. I also played volleyball as a freshman and having that opportunity helped me to chose Valley City.
What did you enjoy about your time on campus?
I enjoyed getting the chance to get to know my professors in my department along with my preceptors in the athletic training room. I had a lot of fun at bingo nights and enjoyed how quiet and calm campus is. I appreciated that as I was leaving Valley City I could say I created a relationship with my professors that will last well beyond my four years here.
Why did you choose Exercise Science and Rehab?
I have wanted to be an Athletic Trainer since I was in middle school. Valley City used to have a Bachelors for Athletic Training program that has now become part of their Exercise Science program so it was a no brainer. There are still Athletic Training based classes in the degree so this program set me and many others interested in sports medicine up for success because of the foundation offered. The degree covers everything from basic nutrition, to orthopedic assessment, to how to properly execute lifts in the weight room. It really set me and my peers up for success in graduate school.
Did the classes you took at VCSU help prepare you for your career?
I have a hard time believing that another school could set me up as well as VCSU did. The opportunities offered at a smaller university are amazing. My time in the athletic training room allowed me to see and practice what I was learning in the classroom and there is no better way to learn. My professors and preceptors were extremely knowledgeable in their fields and as a student you get a chance to soak up all that knowledge. I met people during my four years that I know I can reach out to in the future when needed and that is awesome.
What would you like to do after graduation?
I started graduate school this summer (2024) at NDSU in their Masters of Athletic Training program. I also recently got married and once done with graduate school hope to find a job back home in Minnesota.
Do you have any advice for incoming students in the Exercise Science program?
Ask all the questions you have because seriously no question is dumb. Take the opportunities presented to you for field experience, as you will learn so much more there than just in the classroom alone. Lastly, don’t be afraid to make friends and read ahead of time, trust me, things will make a lot more sense.
What was your favorite class and why?
I had two favorite classes, field experience and orthopedic assessment. I loved field experience because I got to put what I was learning in the classroom to the test and practice it. I also was exposed to a lot more things that happen in the athletic training world than I would have without it. My second favorite class was orthopedic assessments because that is when we got to learn special tests that are performed to rule in and rule out orthopedic diagnoses. This will be a large part of my career going forward that I need to be confident in so being able to learn it here and in grad school is very beneficial.