Exercise Science Alumni
McKenzie Brouk, Exercise Science 2022
McKenzie Brouk says transferring to Trine University as a junior is one of the best decisions she ever made.
“I instantly felt at home the second I stepped onto Trine's campus; not only with the skating team, but the faculty, staff and everyone I crossed paths with,” she said. “Even when I was at my lowest, everyone around me at Trine was building me up.”
The Dallas, Texas, native went on to earn her exercise science degree at Trine. While attending Trine, she was a member of the synchronized skating and figure skating teams, serving as a captain of the collegiate synchronized skating team from 2020-2022.
In addition to skating, she was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and a SOAR leader. She also launched and was president of Athletes Connected, a student-athlete mental advocacy group that served as a resource for herself and other athletes who were struggling with cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After completing her degree in 2022, she took a gap year to focus on her physical therapy school applications, gain more experience in the profession and take a mental health break before entering a PT program.
She eventually decided to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Trine. She begins the program in fall 2023.
“I ultimately chose Trine's DPT program because of the opportunity students have to get into the clinical setting starting their first semester of the program and because I knew it was going to bring me that sense of home feeling I had during my undergrad,” she said.
Sean Collins, Doctor of Physical Therapy 2017
While an undergrad in Exercise Science, Sean worked with AWP, Athletes with Purpose, in Fort Wayne, Ind., which is a sports performance center. AWP's mission is to serve athletes with professional sports training, partnered with character development and strong sense of values. Sean works specifically with the development of youth and team performance.
His background with a wide range of athletic ability has created a strong sense of understanding developmental needs and rehabilitative issues with sports injuries. Sean was also a resident advisor on campus and developed strong interpersonal skills. He was co-captain of the football team and a Varsity Letter winner at Trine.
He was named the 2013 Volunteer of the Year for the Steuben County YMCA for his work with a program called "Active Science" which utilized state of the art technology with a fitness program for 10-13 year olds. Sean also completed the Global Health course and studied in Munich, Germany and Prague, Czech Republic during summer 2012 while a student at Trine. Class of 2013.
Peter Gorka, Class of 2013
Currently works with the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California as the men's field hockey strength and conditioning coach while he pursues a master's degree at San Diego State University. While at Trine, he volunteered at Angola High School with the football program to assist the athletes with proper lifting techniques and was a volunteer fire fighter.
Peter was one of the founding board members to develop the "Exercise Science Association" and helped other students attend the National and Midwest Regional American College of Sports Medicine Conferences, local and national strength and conditioning conferences, and propelled other students to "network and grow" in the field of exercise science at Trine University.