Abigail Newkirk photo courtesy Rae Staton
Abigail Newkirk is not a typical collegiate student-athlete.
On top of her seven jobs, the junior from Wilmington, Ohio, is a speech-language pathology and audiology major with minors in special education and coaching. Newkirk also plays for the Beavers on the women’s soccer team, is the president for both the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and is a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Executive Council Member.
Abigail chose to major in speech-language pathology and audiology because she wanted to have the ability to make a difference in someone’s life. In the future, she hopes to become either a pediatric speech pathologist or become a speech pathologist who covers the ICU and neuroscience units in a hospital.
“I just want to be able to say at the end of my workday that I truly had an impact on each of my patients each day,” said Newkirk.
Newkirk’s seven jobs include fitness center supervisor, student ambassador, senior student ambassador leader, baseball coach’s office assistant, janitorial staff for Neufeld Hall, Freshens worker and working waitress at Bob Evans. All of that and she still finds time to compete with the university’s women’s soccer team.
“Soccer has shaped me into the person I am now by showing me what discipline and responsibility really means,” Newkirk said. “Sports, have taught me that no matter what life throws at you, you can persevere and overcome it. Sports-related injuries have thrown many curve balls my direction but my hard work and determination that I have learned has allowed me to never give up on anything whether it be sports-related or outside of sports.”
For current students or student-athletes, some advice Abigail would give would be to practice time management strategies, buy a good planner, be yourself and do not just sit in your room when you have the opportunity to make new friends and be involved on campus.
“For my fellow peers, always stay disciplined and work hard, but still make sure to take the time to have fun and relax as well,” Newkirk said. “Life is short, make the most of it, especially in college because these are supposed to be some of the best years of your life!”
When Abigail does find some free time, she enjoys catching up on sleep through naps, spending time with her friends and doing anything outside.
Abigail stated that in five to ten years she could imagine herself working through the week in a clinical setting as a Speech-Language Pathologist being very successful and gain a lot of experience. She also can find herself traveling more in those years and just living and loving her life to the fullest.
Abigail has two younger sisters and said she strives to set a positive example for them.
Newkirk said her biggest role model is her mom.
“She taught me the value of hard work and passion,” Newkirk said. “She always taught me to set goals and no matter how large, never back down from chasing those dreams.”
Although a lot of Newkirk’s motivation begins with her family, her goal to simply be successful in life pushes her to do her best. She said she is eager to begin her career and be able to support all of the people who helped support her in life.
“My mom gave me a lot while I was in high school and still supports me to this day,” said Newkirk. “Ultimately, I want to succeed and have a good career so that when my mom is older I can give her the life she deserves and make sure she gets the same affection she gave me for years.”
