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Giant hamster balls, Riverhawks and board meetings - It’s not exactly what comes to mind when you think of a community college, but this is the range of experiences Michelle Moore has managed to have as a student athlete at Anne Arundel Community College. In addition to serving as the Campus Activities Board president and student member on the Board of Directors for the AACC Foundation, she has also served on the Student Government Executive and played for the softball team.
She says she wasn’t expecting these amazing opportunities and resources when she came to AACC straight from high school. At first, she thought she’d just get in, get out - take classes, get a degree and move on to a four-year institution. But her mindset quickly changed after orientation.
“I came to Anne Arundel looking for a change in pace, a change of lifestyle,” she said. “I was determined to make my first years of college ones I would love.”
She also found her path academically. Michelle started as a nursing major, interested in the medical field but unsure which direction to take. After taking a couple of classes she says she “found her fit” in the Health, Fitness and Exercise Studies program and appreciated that there were a variety of choices at AACC.
Looking back, Michelle is glad she took the initiative and time to become more well-rounded at AACC. Valuable life lessons in networking; camaraderie with various groups; how to be part of a team both on and off the field; being pushed to sharpen skills; and to “run past the line and finish strong” have strengthened her confidence for her journey forward.
Michelle will graduate fall 2016 with a Personal Trainer Certificate and an Associate of Science in Health, Fitness and Exercise Studies. She plans to continue her education at the University of South Florida in addition to playing softball and would like to become an athletic trainer for a professional sports team.
“Anne Arundel has laid the foundation for me to redefine myself, and make each day better than the next,” she said.
