Eva Cepeda

Class of 2025

Degree:

Hometown:

Oakton, Va.

Where are you from and what brought you to Marymount?

I grew up in Oakton and my mom graduated from Marymount a long time ago, so it has always been on my radar. I did my undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia in biomedical engineering, and then I was an engineer for a medical device company for about six years until COVID hit. During the pandemic, I decided I wanted to make a career change, and physical therapy was always something I had thought I’d like to do. So, I started to look for PT programs in the area and Marymount was one of the ones I looked at. I fell in love with the school because of its thoughtful physical therapy curriculum. It involved a lot of problem-based learning and a very holistic approach to wellness, which I loved. In addition to that, the faculty were warm and welcoming and the campus culture was very inviting. Those are the reasons I ultimately picked Marymount. My mom has a group of friends that all went to Marymount together and they call themselves the “Marymount Girls.” When she heard I decided to go to Marymount, she was thrilled. Now I am an honorary Marymount Girl! It’s cool that we now share that, and it’s been a very full circle moment for both of us.

What personal and professional opportunities have you had at Marymount?

Marymount’s physical therapy program is cool because it offers you a lot of different opportunities and experiences, which are extremely valuable as a career changer. I’ve conducted research with a professor, which has been very enriching and has contributed to my understanding of the physical therapy field. I’ve also taught undergraduate physical therapy labs as a supplemental instructor, which has allowed me to practice my teaching and leadership skills. On the personal side, I’ve enjoyed learning and growing as a part of the DPT community. Our cohort is small and tight-knit, which has allowed me to get to know people well and build great connections to lean on after I graduate.

What is your favorite thing about Marymount?

I have enjoyed the DPT professors. Their doors are always open, literally and figuratively, and you can just talk to them about anything—academics, personal goals and future plans. They are ready to listen and really care about where you end up. I’m so lucky to have had some amazing mentors at Marymount, and I have no doubt I will continue to learn from them as I advance through my physical therapy career.

What are your plans after graduation?

Honestly, I don’t know yet, but that’s what is so amazing about physical therapy! I could work as a professor or researcher, in a clinic or as a trainer. You can do a bit of everything, and I think that’s what I would like to do. Ideally, I would interact with patients but also maybe teach at the undergraduate level. I’d also love to sign on to a research project and continue exploring that avenue. It would also be super cool to find a way to weave my engineering experience into physical therapy as well—maybe working on medical devices for PT, or partnering with a medical device company. I’ve got a lot of options, which really excites me!

What is your advice to students who are entering graduate school?

Have an open mind. A big part of graduate school is embracing the season of life and your role as a student. You have so many resources at your disposal, so many chances to embrace new experiences and so many opportunities to ask questions. And it’s okay to mess up and ask stupid questions, because you’re a student and you’re learning. So just be willing to ask questions and try new things while you can.