story by Claire Miller
In the Department of Kinesiology and Health’s exercise science program, Fajar Shahid has learned a great deal about the human body and can determine what muscles are being underutilized by assessing someone’s posture and movements.
She’s interested in working with people who have been diagnosed with an illness and finding ways to support their health and healing. And her classes in human movement and clinical exercise physiology have given her the skills to do just that.
“I understand the biomechanics of how the body is supposed to move,” she said. “It clicked for me that this is it – I can do so much with this degree.”
Shahid didn’t begin her time at Georgia State as an exercise science major – one of her family members originally encouraged her to study to become a physician’s assistant. However, after a conversation with a close friend, she switched majors and found a sense of purpose in studying exercise science.
“For anyone who wants to become an exercise physiologist, as long as you have a plan, have a passion for it, have patience and keep doing what you need to do, you can make it,” she said.
Shahid was recognized for her academic achievements at the College of Education & Human Development’s annual Honors Day Ceremony on April 16.
She is the 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Exercise Science Undergraduate Student Award, which recognizes academic excellence and participation in the exercise science undergraduate degree program.
“To me, receiving this award lets me know this is where I need to be,” she said. “I’m passionate about it and I’ve put in the work. Once I start working in the field, I hope that having this award along with my diploma on the wall will give my clients a sense of a comfort and a reminder that I’m going to take care of them.”
For more information about this year’s Honors Day recipients, visit https://education.gsu.edu/cehd-honors-day.