Amazing Student: Callie Dickinson

May 10, 2022 | Anika Chaturvedi | Permalink | Amazing Students, Students and Faculty

Callie Dickinson (B.S.Ed. ’22, M.S. ’23), a member of the UGA Swimming and Diving Team, spent her time at UGA as part of numerous athletic and academic organizations on campus.

After completing her undergraduate degree in exercise and sport science, she will swim at UGA for another year and continue her education as a graduate student this fall. Along with pursuing a master’s degree in comparative biomedical sciences, Dickinson has another academic goal on the horizon—to attend medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon.

Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Degree objective: B.S.Ed. in exercise and sport science; minor in human development and family sciences; M.S. in comparative biomedical sciences

Why did you choose to attend UGA?

I chose to attend UGA because I believe UGA encompasses everything that is important to me. The campus is gorgeous and there are so many wonderful academic opportunities, such as diverse classes and research opportunities. In addition, the UGA Swimming and Diving Team has won seven NCAA Championships, received 39 postgraduate scholarships and has one of the most amazing and experienced staff in the world.

What campus and community organizations are you involved with?

I am involved with a wide range of campus and community organizations. I represent UGA on the Swimming and Diving Team and am involved in multiple student-athlete organizations, such as the UGA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the UGA Leadership Education and Development Academy (LEAD). In SAAC and LEAD, I represent the women’s swimming team and learn about leadership, facilitate volunteer opportunities and mentor younger student-athletes.

I am also involved in multiple honor and leadership societies. I am a member of Phi Kappa Phi, secretary of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society and will be president of Blue Key next year. Finally, I am a National Crisis text line counselor and volunteer for Team Impact. I really enjoy helping others and meeting students and members of the greater community.

You are part of the UGA Swimming and Diving Team. How did you balance athletics with academics?

While balancing academics and athletics has been difficult, I wouldn’t change a thing. I always speak to my professors at the beginning of each semester about the conflicts I may have and if there is anything I can do ahead of time to make up for missing class. Also, I attempt to finish all assignments as soon as I can after they are assigned. Finally, I’ve taken classes each summer to lighten my course load during the season.

What were some of your favorite classes in the Mary Frances Early College of Education and why?

I have taken so many amazing classes in the College, so it’s hard to choose a favorite. I really enjoyed exercise physiology and exercise epidemiology. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity I had to conduct research in Dr. Kevin McCully’s Non-Invasive Muscular Physiology Lab for multiple semesters. Conducting research in this lab has taught me so much and has been an amazing experience.

Why are you passionate about exercise and sport science?

I am passionate about exercise and sport science because for most of my life, I have been immersed in sports and medicine. I’ve been swimming since I was six years old and have endured multiple injuries that sparked my interest in sport science. Exercise and medicine are a huge part of my family and day-to-day life. I hope to one day educate and help others in this field.