Xavier Exercise Science Student Spotlight: Ellie Schulz
- Graduation Year: December 2025
- Program: Exercise Science (Minors in Psychology and Applied Health Sciences)
- Current Role / Future Plans: Attending Creighton Univeristy (NE) for Doctorate in Occupation Therapy
- Hometown: Grayslake, IL
What brought you to Xavier University and the Exercise Science program?
I liked the small school feel of Big East schools, and fell in love with the campus, and the city after my tour.
What inspired you to study Exercise Science?
I knew I always wanted to be in the healthcare field, as my mom is a nurse and one of my biggest role models, but I had many experiences that led me down the Occupational Therapy route instead of the nursing route. I worked with kids with disabilities in high school creating adaptive gym class activities and loved it.
What’s been a favorite class, project, or experience in the Exercise Science program?
Cooking meals in the CINTAS kitchen for EXSC 360 Sport Nutrition class.
Attending the Midwest American College of Sports Medicine conference and exploring Grand Rapids with fellow peers
Being a Group Fitness instructor at the campus recreation center in the Health United Building
Tell us about a meaningful hands-on experience (research, internship, practicum, or fieldwork).
Practicum at ABC Pediatric therapy. I got to see kids make humongous progress over 4 months whether it was fine motor, emotional regulation, impulse control, general strength or feeding improvements
How did your practicum experiences prepare you for your next steps?
Seeing a wide variety of settings for an OT gave me an appreciation of how they were all different, but all striving for the same goals.
How have you grown personally or professionally since joining the program?
Freshman year Ellie and Senior year Ellie are completley different. I have gained so much more confidence in myself, my knowledge, and my professional identity. I can directly contribute that growth to my experiences in clubs, study abroad, student employment, practicum, volunteer work, networking and variety well-rounded courses.
What’s next after graduation?
Attending Creighton Univeristy (NE) for Doctorate in Occupation Therapy in August!
What advice would you give to future students in this program?
“The difference between winning and losing is often not quitting” -Walt Disney
Work hard and keep a positive attitude even when it's tough; attitude is a large contributor to success.
Favorite study spot
Outside patio on 4th floor of the HUB
Favorite campus memory
Watching Xavier beat UC basketball my sophomore year after a cold campout.
