Aravind Manilal Valliyate will graduate with a BSc in kinesiology and health studies and a gold LEAD medallion (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)
By Kate Hargreaves
When Aravind Manilal Valliyate started his BSc in Kinesiology and Health Studies, he says he was unaware of all the opportunities that awaited him.
“Initially, I had no idea what was going on here because I came from a different country,” he says.
An international student from India, Valliyate did not take long to get involved.
Now having finished his degree, he graduates this spring with a gold LEAD medallion in recognition of his activities and efforts related to Leadership, Engagement, Application and Discovery.
One of those activities was his role as an upper-year mentor for new kinesiology students in the KinOne First Year Experience Program.
Having started his own degree with little knowledge of the opportunities available to him, Valliyate was happy to share his insights as a fourth-year student with groups of first years finding their way.
“I had the opportunity to help these mentees through their semester,” he says.
“I was talking to them all the time, understanding how they were feeling, if they had problems with courses, and I actually made new friends. It was really fun.”
Valliyate’s efforts also helped support new students as part of the Discovery component of the LEAD program.
Valliyate worked alongside Dr. Dave Andrews on his efforts to diversify images used in teaching and learning of anatomy as well as assisting in injury-prevention education for pitchers with the Chicago Cubs.
Part of this project involved working with fellow students to create video modules about anatomy.
“The best part about it was that when I was in first year, we didn't have these as a resource, so it was much harder for me to study that course,” Valliyate explains.
“Once the modules came out, I am pretty sure that students in my faculty found it a lot easier.”
Valliyate was also involved outside the Faculty of Human Kinetics as part of a South Asian student group on campus, collaborating with students from various disciplines to help plan events for Holi and Diwali and engage the campus community in learning more about South Asian culture.
Perhaps most connected to his career goals, which extend to physiotherapy and medicine, was Valliyate’s experience as a strength and conditioning intern in the Faculty.
“It was one of the best experiences I had at the University,” he says.
“I was working with varsity athletes, helping them through their rehab programs, with them in the gym, with them on the court, seeing how they are doing, and seeing them through the season. As a UWIndsor student, I felt very proud of our sports community.”
While he worked with various teams over the years, including football, volleyball and hockey, Valliyate eventually landed in the role of strength and conditioning lead for the Lancers women’s basketball team.
As he had a passion for basketball, the role was ideal.
“Any time I had free from studying, I’d be out on the court with my friends,” he says.
Even when he was not interning with a team, Valliyate was often in the stands at the Toldo Lancer Centre (TLC) as a fan.
He describes cheering on the men’s volleyball team at the U SPORTS Championship as one of the most exciting experiences of his University career.
Having started off as a strength and conditioning intern with men’s volleyball, he knew all the players and was excited to support.
“I genuinely enjoyed every part of it. It was definitely something else. I’ve never seen so many people in the TLC,” he recalls.
From being unfamiliar with the department to having barely enough time for all his activities, Valliyate says the key to making the most of the University experience is connecting with the people around you.
“The professors are so approachable, and most of the things I got to do, from strength and conditioning to working with a prof or being an athletic therapist with the men’s soccer team, all of it came from talking to the profs,” he says.
“I also joined the HK Society, I talked to people around me, I talked to my classmates, and that’s how I discovered opportunities that are there.”
His efforts to help new students find their footing highlight Valliyate’s own passion for getting involved in HK.
“It just opened up a whole world for me,” he says.