Third Year Graduate Students
Sarah Ciosek
Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL
Undergraduate Institution: Northern Illinois University, Psychology
Graduate Assistant with Ball State: Office of Research Integrity
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology and minor in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Research interests: Personality, Motivation, and Physical Activity Participation
Advice to incoming students: Keep an open mind and don't be afraid to ask questions. Ultimately, you're learning how to do your future job (or at least some skills that will help you do your future job better), so take the training as a learning experience rather than a final destination. Also, leaning on your peers is tremendously helpful and the resulting friendships are invaluable!

Taylor Gabler
Hometown: Mishawaka, IN
Undergraduate Institution: Grand Valley State University - Double major in Psychology and Exercise Science
Graduate Assistant with Ball State: School of Kinesiology: PFW Instructor and Research Assistant for Dr. Lebeau
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology and MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Research interests: Sport Injury
Advice to incoming students: I would encourage new students to think outside of the box and apply sport psych to the many different areas of their life. This program is exactly what you make it, so think big!

Dabney Skutt
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Undergraduate institution/major: Hanover College, Psychology
Graduate Assistant: Fisher Institute of Health and Well-Being
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology and MA in Rehabilitation Counseling
Research interest: Perceptual-Cognitive skills training in baseball players with advanced technology
Advice to incoming students: Key to Success= Patience, Persistence, and Pizza

Olivia Vasiloff
Hometown: Vermilion, Ohio
Undergraduate Institution/Major: Adrian College, Major: Psychology Minor: Religion
Graduate Assistant with Ball State: Teaching PFW & research assistant with Dr. Blom
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology and MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Research Interest: Pre-performance routines, pre-game superstitions & rituals, self-talk
Advise to incoming students: Take it one day at a time. It will get hard...really hard, but you will also get through it.

Miata Walker
Hometown: Saint Charles, MO
Undergraduate Institution/Major: Major in Psychology, Minor in Kinesiology, Certificate in Neuroscience at Indiana University- Bloomington
Graduate Assistant with Ball State: Research GA for the Education Department
Involved in the Neuroscience Lab under Dr. McGovern
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology and MA in Rehabilitation Counseling
Research Interest: The occurrence of mental blocks in elite athletes, how neuronal signals influence the athlete brain, and the coach-athlete relationship.
Advise to Incoming students: Although you will be planning ahead while going through the program, do not forgot to take one day at a time and try to enjoy the process. This program offers several opportunities to excel and grow. If your schedule allows, try to step out of your comfort zone and accept those opportunities. They say that the work will be worth it and so far, they are correct!
Second Year Graduate Students

Chance Burchick
Hometown: Uniontown, PA
Undergraduate Institution: Washington and Jefferson College, Psychology
Graduate Assistant with Ball State: The Office of Student Athlete Support Services
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a double major in Coaching and Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Research interests: Applying sports psychology to first responders (specifically firefighters)

Ciarán Connery
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana.
Undergraduate Institution/Major: IUPUI, Tourism, Conventions & Event Management
Graduate Assistant with Ball State: No
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport & Exercise Psychology and Minor in Rehabilitation Counseling
Research Interest: Youth sports
Advise to incoming students: Procrastination is not your friend!

Alyssa Fuller
Hometown: Greenwood, IN
Undergraduate Institution/Major: IUPUI; Psychology with minor in Health Education
Graduate Assistantship with Ball State: PFW Walking Instructor; Researching under Dr. Lebeau
Research Interests: Exercise and cognitive functioning in individuals with severe mental health diagnoses
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology and Minor in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Advise to incoming students: Make a morning routine that involves taking care of your well-being (journal, workout, pray, etc). Also give yourself lots of grace the first few weeks, you're doing your best!

Kayla Hussey
Hometown: Ashland, Kentucky
Undergraduate Institution/Major: University of Pikeville (KY) - BS - Psychology and History
Graduate Assistant with Ball State: School of Kinesiology - Dr. Blom (Sport and Exercise Psychology)
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Research Interest: International Student-Athletes' Experience in USA

Tyra Rucker
Hometown: Portland, OR
Undergraduate Institution: Carroll College, Major in Psychology with a Minor in Gender Studies
Graduate Assistant with Ball State: BSU Nursing department| Nursing SITC
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology and MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Research interests: I’m interested in diversity within sport, specifically looking at microaggressions, prejudice and social justice advocacy in sport. I’m also interested in sport development programs being utilized for peace in urban areas.
Advice to incoming students: I would say to utilize the people around you (classmates, professors, friends not in the program). Grad school is hard, but If you have a great support system you will thrive. Also, it’s okay to not know exactly what you want for research in your first semester. Gradually explore your possibilities, and challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone.

Brian Tremml
Hometown: Holland, Michigan
Undergraduate Institution/Major: University of Iowa, Cinema & Comparative Literature
Graduate Assistant with Ball State: International Admissions
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology and MA in Rehabilitation Counseling
Research Interest: Pre-performance routines, youth sports, and mindfulness
Advice to Incoming Students: Be patient in letting your interests develop over time to ensure you find the right fit to blend your passions into your future career
First Year Graduate Students

Carlie Burson
Hometown: New Salisbury, IN
Undergraduate Institution/Major: Hanover College - Psychology
Graduate Assistant with Ball State: No
Degree at BSU: MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology and MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Research Interest: Perceived effects of sport injury on mental health in athletes, how pre-performance routines or techniques improve performance anxiety & stress, and the mental health of athletes at different levels (high school, college, professional)
Advice to Incoming Students: Take things day by day and never be afraid to ask for help. We’ve all been there! You have a huge support group within our program.

Alyssa Edwards
Hometown: Mauckport, Indiana
Undergraduate Institution/Major: Hanover College, Double Major in Health and Movement Studies and Psychology
Graduate Assistant at Ball State: Healthy Lifestyle Center and Muncie Community Schools Project Coordinator
Degree at BSU: Dual Major in MS in Sport and Exercise Psychology, and MA in Sport Performance; Minor in Counseling Clinical Mental Health
Research Interest: Implications of different types of practice, coach athlete relationships, and pre-performance routines