From strength and conditioning to athletic training, students in SUNY Potsdam’s exercise science program have been completing immersive, hands-on internships around Northern New York this semester—applying classroom knowledge in real-world settings.
Seventeen students have been working with student-athletes at St. Lawrence University, Clarkson University, and on SUNY Potsdam’s campus, gaining valuable experience by working directly with clients.
“We’re very fortunate to have wonderful sites both on campus and in the surrounding community that go above and beyond supporting our students in their experiences,” said Tanya Hewitt, program coordinator for the exercise science program.
Since its inception in 2014, the program has emphasized applied learning. As part of the curriculum, students are required to complete a 120-hour internship before graduation—ensuring they graduate with meaningful, hands-on experience.
Injury and Recovery
For Megan Napoleon ’26, a senior in the exercise science program and student-athlete on the women’s soccer team, the internship has focused on athletic training and injury recovery. Working closely with SUNY Potsdam’s Athletic Trainers, she observes by sideline care during games and treatment in the athletic training room.
“There are a couple people in the Athletic Training room right now who have injuries, and it’s really nice seeing everything that I learned in the classroom being applied by the athletic trainers to real clients,” she said.
Napoleon brings a personal perspective to the role. After tearing her ACL in high school, she underwent extensive rehabilitation before arriving at SUNY Potsdam—an experience that continues to shape her interest in athlete care.
As her internship progresses, she has taken on increased responsibility, including administering electrical stimulation (ESTIM) and assisting with therapeutic treatments.
“It relieves the pressure and helps them have a better range of motion wherever their injury is. Being an athlete my whole life, I’ve been interested in athlete recovery and care,” Napoleon said. “I have been doing ultrasounds on the players, and I wrap ankles and wrists—just applying everything we’ve learned in the classroom in a hands-on experience, which is really nice.”
Working with D1 Athletes
Two other students in the program, Eli Doughart-Wood ’27 and Robin Gorton ’26, have been completing internships with the head strength and conditioning coach at St. Lawrence University. Each week, they work with both the men’s and women’s division I hockey teams at Appleton Arena, helping oversee workouts and ensure proper technique.
Moving around the weight room, they are laser-focused on the fitness routines of the elite hockey players, and at a moment’s notice, jump in to help them make small adjustments to improve their technique and avoid injury.
“The initial focus was on recovery and helping athletes reset after a long season. As we’ve moved into the offseason, the intensity and structure of training have gradually increased,” said Doughart-Wood. “As interns, we’ve taken on more responsibility over time, especially in coaching and working directly with athletes. That includes demonstrating exercises, cueing techniques, and helping run the training environment.”
Gorton has been an intern at St. Lawrence University for the entire academic year, accumulating 300 hours of observation, coaching, and program design. A captain on the women’s lacrosse team, she transferred to SUNY Potsdam in 2024, where she enrolled in the strength and conditioning track.
“The exercise science program at SUNY Potsdam is built on an incomparable support system. The educators are extremely passionate about all topics, ranging from sports psychology to applied strength and conditioning. It was the perfect fit for me."
Doughart-Wood, also a defenseman on the men’s hockey team, emphasized the program’s balance of theory and practice.
“It starts with a foundation in anatomy, physiology, and movement, and then progresses into more applied areas such as training, testing, and program design. One of the program's biggest strengths is its hands-on component. Through labs, group exercise classes, and internship opportunities, you are consistently applying what you learn rather than just memorizing it,” he said.
For his capstone internship this semester, Doughart-Wood is gaining transferable skills that will support his future career.
“That combination of classroom knowledge and real-world experience has been key in preparing me for a career in strength and conditioning. Along with the connections I have made with coaches, professors, classmates, and personal training clients, it has made the experience very worthwhile,” he said.
Building Strength on Campus
Anson Herne ’27 has been doing similar work with Potsdam student-athletes, working alongside strength and conditioning coach Chris Sargent. Through his internship, Hurn has been sharing his knowledge and passion for weightlifting with fellow students.
He recently demonstrated strength training exercises for the women’s soccer team in Maxcy Hall, helping reinforce proper technique and injury prevention.
“The internship helps reinforce what I’ve already learned from my Personal Training Fundamentals class with Tanya Hewitt,” Herne said. “I really like being able to lead some of the workouts and correct techniques. When Sarge introduces a new warmup or exercise, if someone needs help with form and technique, I can perform the exercise and show them how to do it correctly, which will decrease their risk of injury in the long term.”
Herne’s path to exercise science wasn’t linear. He began his studies in chemistry, mastering the periodic table and mixing chemicals, before discovering his passion for fitness.
“During my first year, I found an interest in bodybuilding, so I talked to my advisor about switching and I was introduced to exercise science. It has two tracks to it, a clinical track, which is for careers like physical therapy or occupational therapy, and then there’s a strength and conditioning track, which is what I’m in—dealing with personal training and becoming a strength and conditioning coach,” Herne explained.
A Different Approach
For Megan Mills ’26, the internship experience has focused on a different population—senior citizens. Each week, she leads chair-based exercise sessions at United Helpers in Canton, emphasizing resistance training and functional movement.
“We do banded exercises, focusing on safer alternatives to heavy weights. And they tell me how much better it makes them feel during the day, doing some exercise with me,” she said.
“I just like how I feel—I’m helping them with something that I know a lot about. It’s nice to see how much I impact their day,” Mills said.
A member of the women’s hockey team, Mills is currently applying for jobs across Northern New York, including roles as an athletic director and fitness instructor within the corrections system. Her internship experience has helped her build both confidence and professional skills.
“Each of our students leaves SUNY Potsdam with important hands-on experiences that they can use in their resumes and graduate school applications,” Hewitt said. “We work with the students to identify placements that align with their areas of interest and professional goals. The internships are critical opportunities for application of theory to practice, but even more broadly, to make connections for their future.”
Article by Jason Hunter, Photos by Melody Sample '26 & Jason Hunter