Northern Arizona University Athletic Training

NAU MSAT 1st Year Student Highlight!
Makayla Holthaus from the Flagstaff Campus

Why did you choose Athletic Training?
As a former college athlete, I experienced firsthand how valuable athletic trainers are - not just for physical health, but mental and emotional wellness as well. Those experiences inspired me to become an athletic trainer myself.

What are your goals for your time in the program?
My goals for my time in the program is to build strong clinical skills and deepen my knowledge in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and evaluation. I want to gain hands-on experience to prepare for a successful career as an athletic trainer.

What is your dream career?
My dream career is to work at the collegiate level with football or basketball. I would also love to work in the WNBA.

Fun fact about yourself:
I have a picture with Morgan Wallen

NAU MSAT 1st Year Student Highlight!
Josh Gavin from the Phoenix Bioscience Core Campus

Why did you choose Athletic Training?
I chose athletic training because I always wanted to go into the medical field and this career path gave me the opportunity to stay close to highly motivated individuals in a non-clinical setting

What are your goals for your time in the program?
Develop skill and connections that last and help get me to my eventual career.

What is your dream career?
My dream job is to go back to Seattle and work for University of Washington

Fun fact about yourself:
I’m a triplet

NAU MSAT 1st Year Student Highlight!
Malia Sanchez from the Flagstaff Campus

Why did you choose Athletic Training?
So I can help athletes get back and playing the sport they love if they get injured

What are your goals for your time in the program?
To gain as much knowledge and to become the best AT that I can be.

What is your dream career?
I would love to work with a track and field team, I ran track all through high school and my undergrad so I would love to help those athletes just because I love the sport so much!

NAU MSAT 1st Year Student Highlight!
Destiny Brown from the Phoenix Bioscience Core Campus

Why did you choose Athletic Training?
I chose athletic training due to my passion for helping athletes push themselves to achieve more than they believed they could. I love being the driving force in their rehabilitation journey!

What are your goals for your time in the program?
I hope to become confident in my on field and off field evaluations and learn best practices in sports rehabilitation.

What is your dream career?
My desire is to work in collegiate athletics

Fun fact about yourself:
I have chickens for pets

NAU MSAT 1st Year Student Highlight! Sarah Vaughn from the Flagstaff Mountain Campus

Why did you choose Athletic Training?
I’ve always known that I wanted to help people in some way. For me, Athletic Training is the perfect combination of two things that I love— helping people, whether that’s first aid or returning an athlete to play, and sports. After learning what an Athletic Trainer is and does, it was a no-brainer that it was what I wanted to become.

What are your goals for your time in the program?
My goals include building connections with Athletic Trainers and other health care professionals and getting a multitude of different clinical experiences to broaden my knowledge, understanding, and personal philosophy.

What is your dream career?
Head Athletic Trainer of the Arizona Cardinals

Fun fact about yourself:
I love to cook and bake

NAU MSAT 1st Year Student Highlight!
Ashley Araiza from the Phoenix Bioscience Core Campus

Why did you choose Athletic Training?
I chose athletic training because it allowed me to combine my love for sports with my desire to help people. I’ve always been fascinated by how the body moves and heals, and athletic training gives me the opportunity to support athletes both physically and mentally as they recover and perform at their best. I wanted a career where I could make a direct, meaningful impact every day—building relationships, guiding recovery, and contributing to something bigger than myself, whether it’s an individual athlete’s journey or the success of an entire team.

What are your goals for your time in the program?
My goal while in the MSAT program is to build a strong foundation of clinical knowledge and hands-on experience that will prepare me to confidently care for athletes. I want to develop the critical thinking and technical skills necessary to be an effective and compassionate athletic trainer. Additionally, I aim to take full advantage of mentorship and real-world learning opportunities so I can grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to every team and individual I work with.

What is your dream career?
NFL/NBA Head Athletic Trainer

Fun fact about yourself:
High School Valedictorian