“I would have never completed a master's or a Ph.D. had it not been for scholarships and graduate assistantships.” Elizabeth León Zaragoza, two-time UNLV graduate, didn’t beat around the bush when explaining the role funding played in her academic journey.
By the time Elizabeth got to UNLV, she was eager to find a solution to two persistent challenges: how to make athletic training education more inclusive and how to use skills from athletic training to serve non-athlete members in the community. The barriers she uncovered and experienced firsthand were significant.
Raising the Bar
Two years into her undergraduate degree in athletic training at Eastern Kentucky University, the industry’s professional certification organization announced a major change. Going forward, anyone entering the field would need a master’s degree to operate as trainers and undergraduate athletic training programs were to be phased out. The decision, aimed to align athletic training with other health professions, raised concerns for Elizabeth. “It looks good on paper,” she says, “but it’s a moving target for students, especially those from low-income backgrounds. Scholarships and graduate assistantships made it possible for me to meet those demands, but I know many others aren’t as fortunate.”
Sharing Knowledge. Saving Lives.
The second obstacle she looked to overcome hit closer to home. As a daughter of immigrant farm workers she recognized how her unique skill set could serve a population near and dear to her. “One of my uncles died while working in the fields,” Elizabeth shared. Knowing the difference she could make, she began working to find ways to support black and brown people, especially those in rural areas—helping them to develop life saving CPR and first aid skills. “Preventing heat exhaustion and cardiac death is a lot of what we face as athletic trainers. I’m in a unique position to teach these skills and improve outcomes for survivors.” she explained.
Elizabeth’s game plan was coming together and, with the encouragement of Dr. Nancy Lough, she got to work on a higher education Ph.D. She sought out ways to diversify the playing field. Her research zeroed in on access to health care in athletic training, particularly for populations from rural and low socioeconomic backgrounds. “In supporting athletes, we’re often supporting people from underserved communities.” she explained. “I wanted to pursue a line of research that would help me to provide solutions for how athletic trainers as healthcare providers could do better outside of sports.”
Investment Drives Success.
Elizabeth also acknowledges that the generosity of donors and mentors can sometimes feel daunting. As a Holmes Scholar and multiple award winner she knew that “when someone invests in your dreams, there’s immense pressure to perform.” But that’s what scholarships are for—to help students fulfill their dreams. “Hopefully, your dreams include giving back to your community and helping others,” she continued.
Today, Elizabeth serves as an assistant professor of athletic training for the Human Biology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and is committed to paying it forward. Beyond the classroom, her research continues to address the disparities and downfalls she has witnessed firsthand. One project is specifically working to train farmworkers in CPR and first aid skills that are often inaccessible to communities in remote areas.
Her advice for current and future scholarship recipients is simple: “There’s no gatekeeping here. Share opportunities. Lend a hand. Build a better academic environment for everyone.” Elizabeth’s own journey is a testament to what’s possible when generosity meets determination. Through her teaching, research, and advocacy, she’s ensuring that the next generation of athletic trainers is more diverse, compassionate, and prepared to serve.