When looking at college degrees to pursue, some of the more common ones that perspective students and their parents think of when going through their options may range from anything in business or education, all the way to fields such as psychology or sports management. Not many, however, have the original intention of pursuing a degree as rigorous as pre-occupational therapy straight into their collegiate journey. But, senior Ryan Zawislak seems to not see it as something he thinks too much about, despite the rigors that come with such a field.

Despite all that came in the overarching field of health and exercise science, Zawislak, when reflecting on the culmination of his time at Waynesburg University, simplified his biggest area of growth down to having more of an open mind to all that the college experience has to offer.

“Being more open to things. Just putting yourself out there and doing what’s good for you,” Zawislak said, noting that despite not even originally starting his collegiate journey at Waynesburg until he eventually transferred after his freshman year of college from Grove City College, still was able to find his key takeaway in his limited time at the university. “Doing what’s right by you and trying to just set yourself up for success in the future.”

One individual who knows of Zawislak’s success well is Dr. Kimberly Wise, who aside from her multiple roles in the Department of Biology and Natural Sciences, has been a professor who has gotten to know Zawislak throughout his time at Waynesburg University, and it seems throughout that time, has grown quite attached to him. 

“We kind of grew together,” Wise noted, stating how with her only being a part of Waynesburg University for four years, she has gotten to progress at the same time as Zawislak. “I believe he is so humble. Ryan, from the very first time that I met him whenever I would have him in class, you see all types of students. Some that sit in the back, some that want to sit by the windows. Some have their computers open, on their phone, excusing themselves. He sits up front, and he makes a presence just sitting up front.”

Wise also elaborated on the fact that while Zawislak is held to such a high regard when it comes to his academic performance and attention, it seems that his values and his core set of beliefs are what allowed him to stand out so much when being chosen as the nominee for his respective major.

“He puts Christianity and the health and well-being of others first and foremost,” Wise said. “His family and who they are and how they view him and how he wants to help others. So that to me is why we selected him specifically, because of what he represents.”

Speaking on Zawislak’s transition to Waynesburg University, he noted that while some make that transition due to possible financial or academic-based reasons, his cause for leaving simply came down to not having the fulfillment he seemingly was able to find at his current home.

“I would say from a social aspect, I just wasn’t happy where I was at before. Academically, I was getting everything here where I was at before, and I definitely think coming here was the best thing for me,” Zawislak said.

Similar to the other nominees in his department, Zawislak did note that there is a difficulty to finding that work-life balance that, for a lot of college students, whatever the reason may be, there may come a time when there is not an even split. “I would say it’s just a matter of being intentional of what you’re doing. Being where your feet are,” Zawislak said, while further emphasizing some of the struggles other students may face when regarding this challenge. “I feel like a lot of people struggle in terms of just being in class, paying attention to what’s going on, and I feel even if you just are intentioned well, paying attention and learning the information, in the moment when it’s being given to you, then going outside on your own, it’s easier to study and figure out everything you need to know.”

Zawislak did mention that following his graduation, he will be pursuing his next degree at Slippery Rock University. Even with this transition away from her classroom, Wise did mention how much gratitude she and her fellow educators hold that individuals such as Zawislak and other students who are stepping into the next portion of their journey are inevitably going to pass along the same information and lessons that Wise and others had taught them.

“It is gratifying because that’s what we’re sent to do. As our Christian values are to go and preach, and give praise to the Lord, and tell the story and that’s exactly what he is going to do,” Wise said. “He’s going to take a piece of classes, and the relationships, and the athleticism, and the community and he’s going to go to a different institution and spread that. This is what he has learned, but it’s not so much what he says, but his actions, and that’s what sets Ryan apart.”