Poster Presentation at the 2025 ACSM Mid-Atlantic Conference. Left to right: Caroline
Rivers, Samantha Wong, Jerry-Thomas Monaco, Allison Colon, Gianna Tavares, Christopher
Carrigan
In November 2025, four students in Seton Hall’s B.S. in Interprofessional Health Sciences (IPHS) major attended the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American College of Sports
Medicine (MARC–ACSM) Conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with Program Director
Jerry-Thomas Monaco to explore career paths and see how research is applied in practice.
For many, it was their first time attending a large-scale professional conference
in exercise science and sports medicine.
The conference brought together students, researchers, clinicians and professionals
from across the country to explore current research, clinical applications and emerging
career pathways in exercise science, sports medicine and rehabilitation. Sessions
ranged from injury analysis and exercise prescription to professional development
and certification pathways, allowing students to engage with both the scientific and
practical sides of the field.
IPHS students emphasized the impact of sessions that clearly connected research to
clinical application. “Presentations on exercise prescription, injury prevention and
human performance were particularly engaging because they directly relate to my academic
interests and potential career path,” said Gianna Marie Tavares, a sophomore who plans
to pursue a career in physical therapy.
Students also noted the conference’s warm, welcoming environment. Despite attending
as undergraduates, they felt encouraged to engage in conversations with professionals
and graduate students.
“Although we are undergraduate students, we were not treated differently from anyone
else,” said senior Samantha Wong.
The conference also offered reassurance and clarity for students applying to graduate
programs. University admissions counselors discussed their program expectations, application
requirements and career pathways in physical therapy and related fields.
“Speaking with representatives from different universities was especially meaningful
as I prepare to apply to physical therapy programs,” noted junior Caroline Rivers.
“It helped me feel more confident and informed about the next steps.”
In addition to networking, students observed how effective presenters communicated
scientific information using clear visuals and concise explanations — an important
takeaway for their own academic and professional development.
“All the students who attended asked me how they can present on a topic associated
with the MARC–ACSM Conference to further advance their careers,” said Monaco, who
presented research on surf therapy for children with developmental delays at the event.
“The IPHS faculty and I are developing a faculty-student research project with the
goal of having Seton Hall students participate in the conference next year.”
Attending the event gave students insight into career opportunities within exercise
science and sports medicine while strengthening their confidence as emerging professionals.
The experience reinforced the value of stepping beyond the classroom to better understand
the field.
“The IPHS students appreciated the opportunity to attend the 2025 MARC–ACSM Conference,”
noted Monaco. “It has motivated them to pursue careers in the health sciences field.”
Categories:
Health and Medicine