Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Jordan Reese Lay
While college is often seen as a time for academic growth, Parker Woodham views his four years at the University of West Alabama a bit differently. Beyond lectures and exams, he describes his time at UWA as a period of personal transformation, one marked by self-discovery and growth that makes him proud.
An exercise science major and former preferred walk-on for the football team, Woodham stepped away from the program after his sophomore year. In doing so, he said his faith was renewed and he began an internship with the strength and conditioning program, where he worked with freshman football players.
Woodham鈥檚 interest in exercise science began in high school, where the all-state football player realized there was a gap between what he knew and how to apply it.
鈥淚 came from a 1A school. We didn鈥檛 have trainers or anyone working with us in the weight room. I understood the value of strength and conditioning鈥攖hat exercise is medicine鈥攂ut I didn鈥檛 have the knowledge or science to back it up. Being able to communicate that to someone effectively is something I gained through my exercise science classes at UWA.鈥�
For Woodham, the field also carries personal significance: his family.
His parents had him as teenagers, continuing a pattern from the previous generation. That family history, along with concerns with their long-term health, became a driving force behind his passion for exercise science.
鈥淚 could have found this information another way,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut UWA and this program are the reason I know what I know and why I鈥檓 as confident as I am. Seeing a change in my parents’ health helped me realize I can make an impact on others.鈥�
Woodham is already seeing that impact through his internship.
鈥淭he freshman football players listen to my advice and trust me, and that鈥檚 reassuring,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e built several connections with the students in the program that continue today, even with guys who have transferred.鈥�
A first-generation college student, Woodham said he never fully envisioned what his college journey would look like. But once he arrived on campus and realized earning a degree was within reach, he committed to making it happen.
鈥淚 did really poorly academically my freshman year,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat was a wakeup call. I thought I had it all together, but I was wrong. The freedom and free time did a number on me, and I had to learn how to manage it. It also taught me to appreciate things I didn鈥檛 even realize I had back home. I decided I was going to be successful and be a good role model for my two younger sisters.鈥�
Reflecting on his experience after being awarded his diploma May 8, Woodham said his time at UWA has been defined by growth. Finding his path, building relationships and discovering a career he鈥檚 passionate about have given him a renewed sense of purpose.
Next, Woodham plans to pursue a position as a personal trainer while working toward his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification. But for him, the goal goes beyond a career.
He wants to keep making an impact at home鈥攈elping ensure his parents and grandparents are there for the milestones ahead, from his future marriage to raising a family of his own.