General | 12/18/2019 2:05:23 PM
Senior Tylisha Gourdine is a four-year member of the Hartwick College women's cross country team and has served as a vital leader for the Hawks indoor and outdoor track and field teams over the past two years. A native of Watertown, N.Y., Gourdine was Hartwick's Phillip S. Wilder Award winner for academic distinction in 2016. Last season, Gourdine was Hartwick's Indoor Track and Field MVP and was a two-time "Hawk of the Week." In 2019, Gourdine, a two-year captain, recorded a career-best time in her final cross country race at the NCAA Atlantic Regional.
Tylisha Gourdine - Tomorrow's Leader
Major: Biochemistry
GPA: 3.4
Class Year: Senior
Anticipated Graduation Date: May, 2020
Favorite Professional Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Various Academic Honors/Academic or Athletic Clubs:
- Dean’s List
- Andrew B. Saxton Fellowship
- Freedmen Award
What Type of Community Service Have You Done: I have participated in the YMCA kids color run, the Pit Run in Oneonta, NY, Colleges Against Cancer color runs, and the Dan Gilbert 5K.
Plans After Graduation: I plan to work in an immunology lab as a lab technician.
What Do You See Yourself Doing in 5 Years: In five years, I plan to be attending graduate school for my PhD in immunology or molecular biology.
What is Your Ultimate Professional Goal: My ultimate goal is to work for the National Institute of Health or CDC developing vaccines.
Any Interesting or Exciting Internships You Have Done or Are Currently Working On: During the summer I went on a research cruise to an underwater ridge off the coast of Canada to collect water samples from below the ocean floor. Using this water, I am trying to culture uncultured microorganisms and investigate their metabolism which will reveal more information about the chemical reactions occurring in the oceans.
How Has Playing in the Empire 8 Prepared You For Life After College: Playing in the Empire 8 has taught me valuable time management skills which have helped with my school work. It also taught me how to work with others. Even though my sport is more individual-based, the team is only as strong as its weakest member, so it has helped me to be more encouraging of others rather than critical. This has given me more patience and compassion.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time in College: My favorite memory is from my sophomore year when my team went to Nazareth for the Empire 8 championships and the night before the competition, we went to a bowling alley next to our hotel.
Biggest On-Campus Mentor: My biggest on-campus mentor is my thesis and my internship advisor Professor Stephanie Carr
What Have You Learned About Yourself from Freshman to Senior Year: I have learned that I am so much stronger mentally and physically than I thought I ever could be. I have also learned that when I am confident, people are more likely to listen to me and take what I have to say seriously.
What Type of Leader Are You: I am a more laissez-faire leader. I want people to make the right decision for themselves. However, if I see them going down the wrong path, I am quick to correct their actions. I want people to see for themselves how to make the best decisions without me having to babysit them.
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You: I was in a bowling league for five years and went to several competitions.
Advice for Freshmen Teammates or Student-Athletes: My advice for freshmen is to really utilize the upperclassmen on their team. They have been balancing school, sports and their social life in college for a few years, so they have great tips to share. Also, never be afraid to take time off for school work or just a mental health day. Athletes are only great when they take care of their health.
The Empire 8 Conference's “Tomorrow’s Leaders Compete Here” Series features a student-athlete from one of its member institutions who has emerged as a leader not only on the field of play, but in the classroom and in the community.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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