Each year approximately 30 PT Ambassadors volunteer their time and energy to be the student voice of the DPT program.  All of our Ambassadors are actively involved in campus culture and the local Physical Therapy community, and work closely with the Admissions Office to provide an invaluable resource for prospective students.

We encourage you to speak with a current student about their experience applying to and choosing Pacific University's School of Physical Therapy.  Ambassador's emails are provided below, and they will be happy to help you learn why Pacific is the school for you!

Please follow our program Facebook page to hear from current students and learn about program events.

Students

Mark Penewit

Class of 2020

Email | mpenewit@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | Oregon State University Business Administration/ International Business

Hometown | Turner, Oregon

One Reason I Chose Pacific | “I chose Pacific because of their focus on developing a well rounded physical therapist. I wanted a solid foundation to build upon and character development that my future patients, family, and community could be proud of.” 

Hobbies | Soccer, Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, Running, Hiking, Cycling, Fishing, Eating, Traveling

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, intramural soccer

 

Sara Tracey

Class of 2019

Email | saratracey@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | San Diego State University, Kinesiology with an emphasis in Pre-Physical Therapy

Hometown | Salinas, CA

One Reason I Chose Pacific | “The minute I stepped foot on Pacific's campus I instantly felt like I was at home. All of the staff and current students were extremely welcoming throughout the interview day. I felt that no matter what, they would support me through the program and that was the type of environment that I knew I would be able to thrive in.”

Hobbies | Watching Bay Area Sports, volleyball, dirt bike riding, hunting, traveling, fishing, crafting, cooking, hiking, lifting weights, eating

PT Student Activities | Lead Student Ambassador, Graduate Assistant PT Admissions, APTA and OPTA student member, PT Night Out, Go-Baby-Go Volunteer, PT Faculty Search Committee Member,  Intramural Co-Ed Volleyball

 

Heather Higashi

Class of 2019

Email | higashih@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | Seattle University, Sport and Exercise Science

Hometown | Mililani, HI

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "I chose Pacific University because of the welcoming atmosphere that I felt on interview day and throughout my application process. I felt a sense of community and family here at Pacific, and I knew that I could thrive as a student because of this!”

Hobbies | Hiking, running, cooking, going to the beach, and exploring new places

PT Student Activities | Student ambassador, APTA member

 

Rachel Karpelowitz

Class of 2018

Email | karp3629@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | University of Oregon, Psychology

Hometown | Seattle, WA

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "Pacific’s community immediately attracted me and I knew right away that I would be welcomed and valued. Faculty and students are all one big team working hard to create the best future Physical Therapists we can, and we are all dedicated to bettering the lives of others and being advocates for our patients.”

Hobbies | Ultimate frisbee, camping, hiking, going to the opera/theater, spending time on the Oregon coast

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, Graduate Assistant PT Admissions, Salud, Go-Baby-Go volunteer, PT Night Out

 

Susanna Lluria

Class of 2020

Email | llur9564@pacificu.edu     

Undergraduate Institution and Major | University of Arizona, Public Health, focus in Health Deliveries

Hometown | Oro Valley, Arizona

One Reason I Chose Pacific | “I chose Pacific University because of my welcoming experience on interview day. All of the professors that I met throughout the day gave me a sense of security and caring. I enjoyed talking to current students and had an overall good feeling about the place and program. Lastly, I could not get over the openness of the campus and the quality of the facilities. As I walked away that day I knew that I was going to be a student at Pacific U!”

Hobbies | Volleyball, soccer, hiking, watching movies and finding new and delicious places to eat

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, APTA member, OPTA member

 

Jillian Brune

Class of 2018

Email | Brun8402@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | University of Nevada, Reno, Community Health Sciences

Hometown | Gardnerville, NV

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "Pacific’s facilities and faculty are not only the highest quality, but also the atmosphere is inviting and nurturing. We are in the midst of an extremely large and active community of healthcare professionals looking to be the finest providers and patient advocates. Additionally, we get summers to appreciate some down time and the endless outdoor adventures Oregon has to offer.”

Hobbies | Yoga, guitar, rock climbing, fly-fishing, performing arts, and eating

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, Intramural indoor soccer

 

Hope Whitman

Class of 2020

Email | whit8345@pacificu.edu   

Undergraduate Institution and Major | University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Health Science

Hometown | Glenwood Springs, CO

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "There was always positive and timely communication with the admissions department throughout my application process, and when I came for interview day everything about Pacific University made me feel so at ease. From the faculty, to the students, to the community, everyone was so personable, and welcoming. Oregon gave me the same sense of home that I felt in Colorado. Everyone says "when you know you know", and i just knew that this was where I was meant to be."

Hobbies | soccer, hiking, skiing/snowboarding, finding cozy coffee shops, and exploring new areas of Oregon

PT Student Activities | Student ambassador, APTA member, Intramural Soccer

 

Kathryn Overton

Class of 2019

Email | katieoverton@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | University of Wyoming, Kinesiology & Health Promotions

Hometown |  Sheridan, Wyoming

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "I chose Pacific because it felt like home from the moment I walked in. There's an amazing family environment here, and it stuck with me.”

Hobbies | Yoga, Pilates, Hiking, Fishing, Hunting, Adventuring, Foodie

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, Intramural Soccer

 

Katie Phan

Class of 2020

Email | kmphan@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo, Kinesiology

Hometown | Seattle, WA

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "I chose Pacific because the faculty deeply cares about helping students become the best clinicians they can be and students are immediately welcomed into a tightly knit community that both supports and challenges each other." 

Hobbies | Swing dancing, Running, Hiking, Playing soccer, Cooking, Photography

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, APTA and OPTA Student Member, Intramural Soccer

 

Rebecca Gasca

Class of 2018

Email | gasc7505@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major |  University of Washington, Psychology

Hometown | Federal Way, WA

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "The friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the campus on interview day. I could tell the professors and students have close relationships. It was also apparent that the students genuinely enjoyed each other’s company and were willing to help each other out.”

Hobbies | Hiking, Camping, Swimming, Climbing, Rafting, Kayaking, SUP’ing, skiing. I like experimenting with different kinds of exercise and trying new and different restaurants and bars around Portland with friends.

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, PT Night Out, Intramural basketball

 

Claudia Cordero

Class of 2019

Email | ccordero@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | University of Nevada, Reno, Community Health Science

Hometown | Dublin, CA

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "One of the many reasons why I chose Pacific was for the opportunity to do international clinical internships.”

Hobbies | Traveling, Hiking, Skiing, Zip line guide, Camping, Working out, Checking out restaurants and events in the Portland area, Hanging out with friends and family

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, Class of 2019 Vice President, Salud, Go-Baby-Go Volunteer

 

Ashlee Baltich

Class of 2019

Email | Holm8285@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | University Wisconsin Stout, Applied Science

Hometown |  Ogema, Wisconsin

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "I chose Pacific because the faculty and students during my interview made me feel like this was my home away from home.”

Hobbies | I love to run and spend time with my husband and our dog, Rusty.  I also like to swim, hike, fish, hunt, hang out with friends and crochet.  

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, Class of 2019 Treasurer, APTA student member, Go-Baby-Go volunteer

 

Courtney Belt

Class of 2019

Email | belt7946@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major | Arizona State University, Kinesiology

Hometown |  Phoenix, Arizona

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "I chose Pacific because of its location!”

Hobbies | Watch movies, Hike, Hang out with friends, Participate in group exercise, Eat out

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador

 

Hannah Johnson

Class of 2020

Email | john3408@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major & Minor | University of New Mexico, Exercise Science & Psychology

Hometown| Longview, WA

One Reason I Chose Pacific | “I chose pacific for its stellar reputation of producing well rounded clinicians, how welcoming the faculty and current students were, clinical rotation opportunities,  high involvement throughout the community, and for a bonus, pacific students get summers off to recharge.”

Hobbies | I enjoy anything outside- Hiking, biking, kayaking/paddle boarding, camping, playing indoor and outdoor volleyball, and exploring different cafes/ restaurants with unique atmospheres

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador

 

Tesse Maciejko

Class of 2019

Email | maciejko@gmail.com

Undergraduate Institution and Major | University of New Mexico, Exercise Science; MS in Sports Administration

Hometown | Gunnison, Colorado

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "I chose Pacific because I felt an instant connection. The people here are so nice and everyone involved or affiliated with the campus is so helpful and outgoing. In addition, the campus and facilities are amazing.”

Hobbies | Hiking, Backpacking, Fishing, Camping, Trail running, Swimming, Being outside

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador, Intramural Soccer

 

Jamie Condiss

Class of 2019

Email | cond8159@pacificu.edu

Undergraduate Institution and Major |  University of Oregon, Human Physiology; University of New Mexico, Business Administration

Hometown |  Santa Fe, New Mexico

One Reason I Chose Pacific | "Pacific in known for graduating excellent Physical Therapists, and it has such a welcoming supportive environment.”

Hobbies | I love to hike, Make pottery (wheel throwing), Cook, Read, Discover new restaurants, reweries, and vineyards

PT Student Activities | Student Ambassador