Maya Hitchman

Background

About Maya Hitchman

Hello! My name is Maya Hitchman and I have a vast background of experience rooted in both education and health and wellness. From a young age into my late high school years, I was a competitive gymnast. The sport taught me many vital life lessons such as perseverance, teamwork, dedication, and so much more. My long history and deep knowledge of the sport allowed me to be employed as a coach. I stuck with coaching for about three years but as I began to navigate college, I realized I wanted to shift my focus to be more on the educational side of things. I was recommended by a professor to become a tutor at my community college and I absolutely loved it. Being immersed in the science world while also being able to make connections with both students and faculty alike was extremely rewarding. This same professor also opened up the door for me to participate in undergraduate research. While seeing the cutting-edge science firsthand was thrilling, the skills we learned such as open-mindedness and collaboration, were even more imperative. Most recently, I shifted my sight to become more involved in health care as that is my ultimate goal. After being accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Montana, I wanted to get some more experience in a clinical setting. I was able to work as a physical therapy aide for about 6 months before heading off to graduate school. Working in a newly opened, small clinic opened up my eyes to a whole new world - business. I was able to dabble in some of the marketing aspects of the business which was a very valuable experience as this is an essential part of any business, no matter the age. I have also had the privilege to be a part of equity and inclusion work within a program called IDEAL (Initiative in Diversity, Equity, Antiracism, and Leadership) which is led by the inspiring Dr. Jeremiah J. Sims and his wife Rachel Sims.