The Science of Connection: How One Student Found Her Place on the Hill Through Her Academic Pursuits

When Carlie Goddard ’25 had to choose where to attend college, she was immediately drawn to everything Mount Mercy University had to offer. 

With its intimate campus, welcoming environment, amazing facilities, and educational resources, Carlie knew that she had found her place on the Hill. 

Carlie arrived at Mount Mercy with an interest in health and wellness. Growing up in Cedar Rapids, she took as many high school science classes as she could, which inspired her to pursue exercise science as a career. In Carlie’s eyes, Mount Mercy was the perfect place to pursue this passion. 

“The exercise science program at Mount Mercy has given me countless opportunities to grow, learn, and explore in this field,” Carlie explained. “My professors are experienced and share their evident passions with each student, eager to prepare us to go out into the field ourselves.” 

One of the unique aspects of the exercise science program at Mount Mercy is how students have opportunities to apply what they’ve learned. While lectures and textbooks are educational for students, it’s the labs and internships that allow the application of the knowledge they’ve obtained.  

“From cadaver labs to creating strength and conditioning programs for clients, it has been an absolute privilege to participate in such unique opportunities with excellent guidance,” Carlie said.  

During the winter of Carlie’s junior year, she got the chance to go to Mercy Medical Center to complete an occupational therapy internship. It was after this experience that she realized what she truly wanted to do in her future. Starting in the fall of 2025, she will be attending grad school at St. Ambrose University with a goal of earning a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree. With this, she plans to work in pediatrics in a school system after graduating.  

"[My students] taught me how important it is to find your passion in this life and pursue it with everything you can." — Carlie Goddard '25

Her academic path also provided a great opportunity to help people right here on the Mount Mercy campus. One of Carlie’s favorite experiences on the Hill was being an anatomy tutor in the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) during the spring semester of her junior year. She assisted 5-6 students every session and appreciated their openness and willingness to ask for help. As a tutor, she was able to give back to the field she’s so passionate about and share her knowledge with her peers. 

“I’m very blessed to have been able to pass down what I’ve learned and to learn from these young students,” Carlie stated. “They taught me how important it is to find your passion in this life and pursue it with everything you can.”  

Carlie’s also fortunate to have made a lot of connections during her time at Mount Mercy. In her first 1 1/2 years, she was a member of the softball team where she made valuable relationships with teammates and coaches, specifically Coach Larry Yoder and Coach Skylar Hop. Due to injuries, she decided to stop playing softball, but remained on the team as a student assistant—serving her teammates and coaches in a different way.  

Carlie credits two of her professors, Dr. Bryan Gatzke and Kelli O’Neil, with positively impacting her time on campus.  

“Through success and struggle, my professors have come along side me, cheering me on to the finish line,” she explained. “They are amazing teachers and extraordinary human beings. I wouldn’t be the student and person I am today if it weren’t for them.”