Stories about the Class of 2026 | Naomi Hudson, Bachelor of Kinesiology in Athletic Therapy.
When Naomi Hudson first started her Bachelor of Kinesiology in Athletic Therapy degree, she knew she wanted to turn her love for health into a career. Looking back, she realizes her time at the university gave her much more than a degree—it gave her a community where she could truly belong.
“Being a part of FKRM has allowed me the chance to learn more about the body and how it moves, specifically integrating my passion for helping others and understanding how to encourage a lifestyle that will lead to longevity with movement and exercise,” Hudson says.
Hudson says her time on campus went by fast, filled with hands-on learning and close connections.
“It’s been a whirlwind. The past four years have been packed with learning both in and out of class, skill application through hands on experience, meeting others who share similar interests and trying to enjoy the journey.”
She says her experience was shaped by a faculty of professors who cared deeply about the success of their students.
“I’ve been able to build relationships with professors that actually know everyone name and care about our success in the field.”
Being part of a supportive, close-knit faculty gave Hudson the perfect space to grow. By joining student groups like Kin Games teams, the Physical Education Recreational Kinesiology Student Council (PERKS) and the Athletic Therapy Students' Association (ATSA), she found her voice and made new friends.
“Being an FKRM student has helped me build my confidence immensely. Through both active class engagement and practicum placements I’ve learned to trust in my knowledge and show my ability,” she says.
One of her favorite campus memories came from traveling and competing with her peers at the national Kinesiology Games, where kinesiology (and other related programs) students from across the country gather to show off their skills, knowledge and passion across a variety of categories from their field of study.
“This team has allowed me to make so many friendships and meet people from across Canada,” says Hudson. “In 2025 we won the conference and being able to share that moment with the team was super special. Other than winning, some of the small moments with the team were the most significant such as team dinners and get-togethers getting to know one another."
That same feeling of community followed Hudson into her real-world training. Working as a student athletic therapist with university athletes pushed her to sharpen her skills in a safe, welcoming environment.
Her favorite hands-on experience was with the Bisons soccer team for her practicum.
“The practicum helped push me to improve in every aspect of what I know,” says Hudson. “The team had so much trust in us as students and worked with me to practice skills I had been working on in class.”
“Between the team and the certified athletic therapists at the university, I was pushed outside of my comfort zone at times and that helped to build confidence in the field. The girls of the team are so supportive and uplifting creating a safe environment that helped me as a student thrive."
Hudson isn't slowing down after graduation. She will be a part of the university community as part of the Mini U summer camp team. After that, she plans to stay connected to sport by working with local youth sport teams and keeping up with the fieldwork component of athletic therapy.
She also plans to continue her learning and development by becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and keeping her options for the future open.
“I'm open to trying any opportunity that comes my way,” she says.
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