MAATA Student Senators

Maryland

ERIN WILL (State Chair) State: Maryland School: Salisbury University E-Mail: ew85326@students.salisbury.edu Year: Senior Term: First year on the Senate (2009) Future Plans: I am currently a senior but won't be graduating until May 2011. After graduation I plan to attend graduate school as a grad assistant. I can see myself working in a high school setting.

MICHELE FERGUSON State: Maryland School: Towson University E-Mail: Mfergu1@students.towson.edu Year: Junior Term: First year on the Senate (2009) Future Plans: I am a junior athletic training major at Towson University. My favorite part of the body to evaluate is the back which is leading me in the way of possibly pursuing a career in chiropractics. I do love athletic training and plan to go to either grad school or chiropractic school post graduation.

North Carolina

EMILY WHITTINGTON State: North Carolina School: Western Carolina University E-Mail: ekwhittington1@catamount.wcu.edu Year: Junior (Expected to Graduate 2011) Term: First Year Senator (2009) Future Plans: I plan on continuing my education with a Master's Degree in Athletic Training. I hope to work as a physician extender and as a high school ATC.

ADAM WALL (state chair) State: North Carolina, originally from Raleigh, NC School: East Carolina University E-Mail: Aw1220@ecu.edu Year: Junior double major (Athletic Training/ School Health Education) serving Term: Second year on the Senate (2008) Future Plans: I have been involved in Athletic Training since high school and have loved it with a passion ever since. I plan on working at the high school level as an ATC and starting a student program for high school students to learn more about Athletic Training. I want to help with the progression of Athletic Training so that it can be more widely known and respected amongst others.

South Carolina

APRIL VARNUM (State Chair) State: South Carolina School: Erskine College E-Mail: avarnum@erskine.edu Year: Senior Term: Second term on the Senate (2008) Future Plans: Planning on going to Graduate School and the pursuing a job in a Division II College or University. She eventually wants to take her career to the professional level.
BRITTNEY WILLIAMS State: South Carolina School: Charleston Southern College E-Mail: BEWilliams1@csustudent.net Year: Junior Term: First year on the Senate (2009) Future Plans: Planning on going to Graduate school and working at a either a high school or small college.

Virginia

LUKE VANCE State: Virginia School: Radford University E-Mail: Lvance4@radford.edu Year: Junior (expected to graduate 2011) Term: First year on the Senate (2009) Future Plans: Luke has been involved in athletic training since high school. He has worked with the Radford University Women's Soccer team and will be working with Men's and Women's Track and Field in the spring of 2010. His involvement on RU's campus includes: President of the Wrestling Club of Radford University, and founding member of the football club.

AMANDA CARTWRIGHT (state chair) State: Virginia School: Longwood University E-Mail: alc640@longwood.edu Year: Junior (expected to graduate May 2010) Term: Second year in the Senate (2008) Future Plans: After graduation I plan to continue my education towards a Master’s in Athletic Training. I am also interested in possibly furthering my education to become a Physical Therapist or Physician Assistant.

West Virginia

COLLEEN McTAMMANY (NATA Representative) State: West Virginia, originally from Rochester, NY School: West Virginia Wesleyan College E-Mail: mctammany_cm@wvwc.edu Year: Junior (expected to graduate May 2010) Term: Second year in the Senate (2008) Future Plans: My future plans are to get my Master's in Athletic Training and I would like to work as a Physician Extender.

CHRISSIE MASON (State Chair) State: West Virginia School: West Virginia Wesleyan College E-Mail: mason_cd@wvwc.edu Year: Senior (expected to graduate 2010) Term: Third year on the Senate (2007) Future plans: I plan to become a certified athletic trainer and obtain a master's degree in athletic training. After receiving my master's degree, I would like to begin my career working with special needs athletes.

Faculty Advisors

Jill Manners School: Western Carolina E-Mail: manners@email.wcu.edu
Ericka Zimmerman, EdD, ATC School: University of Charleston E-Mail: erickazimmerman@ucwv.edu Ericka Zimmerman serves as the Chair of the Department of Athletic Training and the Program Director for the Athletic Training Education Program. She received her bachelor of arts degree in allied health from St. Andrews Presbyterian College, a masters of science degree in physical education/athletic training from Indiana State University, and a doctorate of education degree in educational leadership from Marshall University. In 2008 Ericka was recognized as the 2008 West Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association (WVATA) Educator of the Year. She was a 2007 Marquis Who’s Who of American Women. In March 2006, she was recognized as the 2006 WVATA Athletic Trainer of the Year. She was also selected as the 2006 Outstanding Young Alumni for Indiana State University’s Department of Athletic Training. Prior to arriving at the University of Charleston in 2002, Ericka served as the Head Athletic Trainer for Georgetown College (KY) from 1997 – 2002 and Instructor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies. She was the Head Athletic Trainer for Midway College and staff athletic trainer for Lexington Clinic Sports Medicine Center from 1996 – 1997. Her present professional involvement includes: Co-Program Coordinator for the 2009 WVATA Annual Meeting NATA Board of Certification Regulatory Advisory Committee member Ericka’s interests include legal issues in athletic training; policy and procedure development in the collegiate athletic training setting; leadership, communication, and conflict resolution; gender equity and diversity, and the relationship of mentoring and clinical education.
Amanda Upchurch (Graduate/ Junior Faculty) School: North Carolina State University (East Carolina University Alumni) E-Mail: amupchur@ncsu.edu  Amanda began her college education at East Carolina University, receiving her Bachelors of Science degree in Athletic Training. Shortly after, she began working as a Football Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at North Carolina State University. Amanda was a member of the initial MAATA Student Senate (2006-2008) and has been involved ever since. She enjoys working with athletic training students and especially loves involvement with the MAATA Student Olympics. Amanda will graduate in May 2010 and looks to pursue a job in the professional or college setting.

MAATA Call for Student Senators

As many of you are already aware, the MAATA began a student senate in 2007. The purpose of the student senate is to give the students a voice in the district. We hope to develop leadership skills and future leaders within the profession. So far, the student senate has been a very productive organization. The student senators play a major role in the planning, coordination and hosting of the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Student Meeting annually. Additionally, all of the senators have taken active roles in their state association and are in the process of planning additional ways to promote the profession and unite the students within the district. Members of the senate will be expected to attend the MAATA Annual Meeting and Symposium in May during his / her senate term.

At this time, we have openings for a representative to the Student Senate from Maryland/DC, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Candidates must be a member of the NATA and demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing the profession of athletic training. We are looking for motivated individuals who possess strong leadership characteristics.
The deadline for application is Wednesday, April 21st . The selected senators will take office beginning May 16th, immediately after the 2010 MAATA Annual Meeting.

Application to the senate requires completion of an application, letter of recommendation and an essay, all of which need to be submitted electronically. The individuals chosen as a representative will be notified in May. The application has been sent to all program directors in the MAATA and can be found on the MAATA website. Additionally, applications can be obtained by contacting Jill Manners at manners@email.wcu.edu.

MAATA Student Senate Application