Taking the Leap Into Exercise Science at the College of Charleston

When Caroline Capra ’25 asked herself, “Why CofC?” she didn’t know where to start.

“I always thought I was going to attend the University of Colorado Boulder and study business – that had been my plan for as long as I can remember,” says the Colorado native. “I would have been close to my family and friends, and it would’ve been comfortable. But then a friend of mine, who was a year ahead of me, committed to CofC for sailing.”

After learning more about the College of Charleston and what it had to offer, Capra realized that stepping outside of her comfort zone might be exactly what she needed. Now that she’s graduated, Capra couldn’t imagine having taken that risk anywhere else. Initially set on a business major, she eventually discovered that exercise science was the right path for her.

“For a long time, I knew I wanted to do something involving kids, but I wasn’t exactly sure what,” she says. “Being a business major wouldn’t have made it easy to work with them. I’ve always had a passion for science, so when I realized I could combine my love for kids with a scientific field, everything clicked. That’s when I knew I wanted to become an occupational therapist.”

As she dove deeper into her coursework at CofC, her enthusiasm grew. Receiving the Dr. William R. Barfield Endowed Scholarship solidified her decision that exercise science was the right choice.

“One of my biggest fears about coming to CofC was the cost – Charleston is such an expensive place to live, and that was really intimidating,” she explains. “My family has been incredibly supportive, but it feels good to say, ‘Here’s $1,000 off my tuition this year.’ It’s validating to see my academic efforts pay off in a tangible way.

“The more classes I took, the more I wanted to learn,” she continues. “Taking advanced topics really opened more opportunities for the next semester. I’m really excited about it.”

Capra especially enjoyed EXSC 250: Providing Healthcare for the Physically Active with Susan Rozzi, associate professor of exercise science, and Exercise Nutrition with Arjun Ramani, assistant professor of exercise science.

“They were both incredibly interesting and impactful,” she notes.

She also found inspiration in Karen Smail, associate professor of health and human performance and director of the physical education program.

“She gave us lots of kinesthetic opportunities and prioritized applying what we were learning to the real world,” says Capra. “She’s so incredibly wise in her areas of interest, and since I’m also passionate about motor skill behavior, she’s been a great mentor. She’s been incredibly supportive of my endeavors and helped me navigate some unexpected challenges in the fall of 2024.”

Smail also extends the same appreciation toward Capra.

“Caroline approaches learning with curiosity and a positive attitude” she says. “She consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, a willingness to challenge herself and an eagerness to grow both academically and professionally.

“Whether she is in the lab or classroom, Caroline’s passion and enthusiasm for learning is contagious to her classmates,” Smail continues. “She makes the class better through her intrigue and willingness to constantly learn more about exercise science.“

One course that surprised her was HEAL 257: Principles of Nutrition.

“I was never really into nutrition – I only took the class to fulfill a requirement and didn’t expect to find it all that engaging,” she admits. “But it completely changed my perspective. Nutrition is so relevant to everyone’s life. The class helped me understand its impact on the body and sports performance in a way I hadn’t considered before.”

As a member of the Ultimate Frisbee Club, Capra found the material especially applicable.

“I feel like I can actually use what I’m learning,” she says. “It’s one of those classes where the real-world relevance is obvious – and that makes it really fun.”

Looking back, Capra is grateful she took the leap to attend the College. “If I hadn’t taken the risk and come to CofC, I wouldn’t have found this new sense of comfort and confidence,” she reflects. “It’s been challenging, but so worth it.”