Southern Miss Athletic Training Student Pass National Certification Exam

Students from The University of Southern Mississippi are joining the ranks of athletic trainers certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification.

In early April, Southern Miss Athletic Training Program students Ashley Bounds, Megan Cook, Christa Kleem, Katie Landry, Kiera Lane, Danielle Taylor and Kelly Vinson completed and passed the national certification exam required to become a certified athletic trainer. Since 100 percent of students passed on their first attempt, the Southern Miss program surpasses the national average first time pass rate of 82 percent.

These students are set to graduate Friday, May 8 as part of the first graduating class of athletic training students since 2010. In the fall, Cook will begin a graduate assistantship (GA) at William Carey University. Kleem has earned a GA position at Union College in Jackson, Tenn. Landry will begin a GA position at Trinity Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler, Texas and pursue an online graduate degree at Southern Miss. Lane will start a GA position at Woodward Academy High School in Atlanta, Ga. and attend graduate school at Georgia State University. Taylor has earned a GA position at Delta State University and will also pursue a master's degree.

“I love these ladies and will forever remember them as pioneers who went out against all odds and nailed the Board Exam with a perfect seven for seven, with hopefully more to come,” said Dr. Bill Holcomb, associate professor and director of athletic training. “We hope this means we are on track to become not just the only athletic training program in Mississippi, but the top athletic training program in the Southeast.”