Karina Lepeley

Karina Lepeley

Class of 2010
Urbana, IL

Major: Wellness and Alternative Medicine

Favorite weekend activity: Contradancing, local food, music

Career Plans: Attending graduate school

"I never thought doing laboratory research was in the cards for me, but I was encouraged to write a successful grant to study the physiological and perceptual impact of the Alexander Technique on aerobic exercises. "

I came to Johnson State College with a wide range of experiences under my belt: working on an organic farm; acting as a caregiver for Alzheimer’s patients; doing Spanish translation at Planned Parenthood; working at the University of Illinois Medical School to name a few. . . but my own frustration with traditional medicine, as well as my success using alternative healing techniques made the Wellness and Alternative Medicine program at JSC really attractive to me.

Also, after a stint at a large university, I realized that I needed a small school where I knew the professors and they knew me. JSC is that kind of place. Not only has attending JSC given me a great excuse to live in Vermont, but it’s also proved to be the perfect environment for me to reach my academic potential. It’s a place that can support students who may not know what they’re capable of academically.

For example, I never thought doing laboratory research was in the cards for me, but working with professor Hans Haverkamp at the JSC Human Performance Lab encouraged me to write a successful grant to study the physiological and perceptual impact of the Alexander Technique – a therapeutic strategy that retrains the body to move in ways that reduce stress on overworked or injured. I don’t think there’s anywhere else I could have gotten this kind of research opportunity as an undergraduate. Professor Haverkamp has been an excellent mentor and encouraged me to apply for the Vermont Genetics Network grant that will be funding my research over the summer of 2009.

In addition to the grant funding, because of Johnson's size and support, I've (with a small group of WAM students) attended two national conferences in the WAM field:  first, the Integrative Healthcare Symposium of Jan 2008 in NYC  and second, the Scripps Medical Center's 6th Annual Nutrition and Natural Supplement Convention of  Jan 2009 in San Diego, California.  Both were priceless for my education and ability to be on the cutting edge of the alternative sciences. 

Additionally, both were almost fully funded by JSC, the Student Government Association and/or scholarships by the conferences organizers themselves.  Like I said, these were priceless opportunities to meet with and learn from medical doctors, midwives, chiropractors, physical therapists, energy healers, and others interested in the future of alternative and complementary medicine.

Ultimately, everyone at JSC is working together for mutual success. It’s a cooperative, rather than cutthroat environment. The size and the community make it possible to get what you want out of your education – even if you don’t know right away what it is that you want.