Friday, November 13, 2015

 Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes who are members of their respective institutions' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In addition to providing feedback on the student-athlete experience, conference and institutional SAAC members also offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses. Click here for more information on the function of SAAC at the NCAA level.

Name: Melanie Valdez
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Year: Senior
Major: Clinical Physiology
Hometown: Pasco, Wash.
Central Washington

Extracurricular activities: Biking, long boarding and hiking.

Why did you choose to attend UAA? I chose to attend Central because I got to play basketball there and the girls on the team were super nice. The environment of Central was reassuring to me.

What is your favorite class you have taken in college and why? My favorite class would have to be one of my anatomy classes because I liked the things we learned in those classes and I was very interested.

Who is your favorite professor you've had in college and what did you enjoy about learning from him or her? My favorite professor was Dr. Netherly. He did not read from the PowerPoint and he retaught the things we missed on the test so we actually learned the material.

Years involved in SAAC: Four

The reason I chose to get involved in SAAC: I was a freshman and loved leadership so I felt that getting involved would be fun!

Most memorable SAAC activity: I believe the most memorable SAAC activity was the Halloween dress up pep assemblies. It's always fun with activities such as bobbing for apples.

What is the most important thing you've learned from balancing the demands of athletics and academics? That academics come first and you sometimes have to make sacrifices.

What does it mean to be a Division II student-athlete? It's not so demanding. We don't have to be here in the summer. Yet you still have to manage your time and priorities just at Division I athletes do.

Current mentor(s): My mom!

Future goals after school: To become a nurse and get my masters in nursing.

Biggest obstacle overcame during collegiate career: My biggest obstacle would be living in my own. I was super scared.

Best advice I’d give to an incoming freshman: My advice would be to be responsible with your choices. Don't bend under pressure and always give your all.

If I could spend the day with one person (past or present), who would it be (and why)? My grandma. Just because I miss her and I would love to tell her all my stories about college and everything.

Favorite sports team: The Lakers!!!

Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant!

Most memorable sports-related moment: Winning third at state for basketball and winning nationals for basketball AAU.

One thing that people don't know about me is: I used to play violin for 5 years.