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Nursing

Never Limit Yourself: Nursing Student-Athlete Mia Schnapf Encourages Students to Get Involved

Mia Schnapf with flag as cheerleader

“Watching fellow Nursing students and athletes on campus who are involved in several activities and following several passions makes me want to leave my mark on Villanova and has shown me that I can do it, too,” says rising junior Mia Schnapf. “I want to show future student-athletes that you can be involved in many things on campus, and there are ways to do more than just your sport and school.” The cheerleader from Jamison, PA, is majoring in Nursing with a Global Health minor. Also a Villanova EMS (VEMS) member, Davis Center for Athletics and Fitness attendant and Nursing Ambassador, Mia has made the Dean’s List every semester.

Cheerleader Mia Schnapf

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR SPORT?

I love being a member of the Villanova Cheer Team because it allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself and show my pride for my school. I have created many great friendships through Villanova Cheerleading while also doing something that I love. When I started cheerleading at Villanova, I did not realize the engaging and supportive community and diverse experiences it would provide me. Through cheer, I have had amazing opportunities to represent Villanova including being on Good Morning America and cheering at Wells Fargo games. Not only has cheer given me the opportunity to show my pride Villanova, but it has also given me some of my favorite college memories.

WHAT WOULD SURPRISE PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR SPORT OR HOW YOU DO IT?

I think the biggest thing that would surprise people about my cheerleading career is that I never cheered prior to college. Prior to college, I was a level 10 gymnast training 20+ hours a week and had never thought about cheerleading. When I decided Villanova was the school for me and learned that Villanova did not have a gymnastics team, I started exploring the possibility of trying out for the cheerleading team. During the spring of my senior year of high school, not only was I continuing my rigorous gymnastics training, but I was also practicing cheer twice a week. It was a challenge at first, but I am so happy that I was able to make the switch and continue to be involved in a sport in college.

DESCRIBE THE TIME COMMITMENT.

The time commitment is intense. Between practice, team lift, games and appearances, I find myself spending a good portion of my week representing the Villanova Cheer Team. On top of cheerleading, I am also involved in several extracurricular activities including VEMS and the FCN Ambassador Program, and I have a job at the Villanova Fitness Center. This keeps my schedule busy during the week, and I always have some sort of event on the weekends whether it is an overnight VEMS shift, working a shift at the Davis Center or cheering at a game.

WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DOES SOMEONE NEED TO BE A SUCCESSFUL NURSING STUDENT-ATHLETE?

One must have great time management and dedication to both their passions. It can be hard to balance two large time commitments, but with hard work and dedication, it is possible. I have always thought that if you set your mind to it, you can do it. If you want to be successful in the classroom and in your sport, you can, you just have to have the drive to do so. It can be hard to manage all the things going on as a Nursing student-athlete, and it is something I am constantly working on, but there are people to help you and your professors and coaches want you to succeed.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR NURSING CAREER?

With my nursing career, I want to become a NICU nurse, go back to school to become a nurse practitioner, and eventually teach a future generation of nurses.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE AN INCOMING NURSING STUDENT-ATHLETE?

I would tell any incoming Nursing student-athlete to never limit yourself. Nursing and athletics are both huge time commitments, but it is also possible to get involved in things outside of those two worlds. Villanova has tons of clubs and organizations that will allow you to try new things outside of Nursing and athletics, and this can help you escape from the busyness of your usual schedule. Being a Villanova Nurse is a huge honor and something to be extremely proud of. Remember to carry your head high and be proud of everything you have done and will do.