Driven and Determined – Jennifer Halvorson

Jennifer Halvorson, ’17, is a student-athlete with the drive and determination to succeed on the lacrosse field, in the classroom, and in her career. She is an exercise and sports science major with minors in psychology and biology.

A native of Northern Virginia, Jennifer found out about Meredith when she was recruited for the lacrosse team. However, it was Meredith’s small class sizes and personalized learning environment that ultimately won her over.

“I wanted to be able to have close relationships with my professors, and that is something I’ve loved about Meredith from the beginning,” Jennifer said. “The professors at Meredith are so passionate and driven about their subject material, and it makes me want to be more like them.”

As a student-athlete, a member of the Sports Science Association, and a member of multiple honor societies including Kappa Omicron Nu and Psi Chi, Jennifer clearly knows how to balance her responsibilities on and off the field.

She credits her ambitious and determined nature for helping her accomplish her goals. “I’m very driven,” Jennifer said. “I go after my goals and I don’t stop until I’ve achieved them.”

Jennifer credits the Meredith Athletics Department’s accommodating schedule and flexible practice hours for helping her excel in all areas during her time at Meredith.

“Something that I love about being an athlete at a D3 school is that my teammates are my friends, not just my co-workers on the field,” Jennifer said. “I also love that I get enough time to focus on my schoolwork and pursue extracurricular activities outside of school, such as internships and shadowing opportunities.”

On the field, Jennifer has garnered All-Sportsmanship, All-Academic, and All-Tournament Team honors, while serving as secretary of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She has also added her name to the Meredith lacrosse record books.

Receiving her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification this past summer helped Jennifer evolve as a person. “I had to do a certain number of ride-along hours, and the time I spent with the paramedics really taught me how to respond to jarring and emotional circumstances.”

After graduation, Jennifer plans to work as an emergency room technician and EMT before applying to physician assistant school next summer.

By Caroline Diorio, ’20