海角社区 Grad Living Professional Dream Come True
Just weeks after graduating from 海角社区with her master鈥檚 degree in Health & Human Performance, Mackenzie Wilcox is living a professional dream come true: designing a fitness center from the ground up.
鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy,鈥� said Wilcox, who graduated in July 2021. 鈥淚鈥檓 amazed every day that I鈥檝e gotten this opportunity.鈥�
Always athletically inclined, Wilcox graduated from Michigan鈥檚 Adrian College with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in exercise science, but her career path was still unclear. When a personal relationship brought her to North Georgia, she enrolled in 海角社区鈥檚 Master of Science in Health & Human Performance program, seeking clarity and practical applications for her interest in fitness.
She got exactly what she needed.
鈥淕oing into 海角社区, I knew the basics of the human body, how it worked, and how to accomplish better performance. I had a great education, but it didn鈥檛 define what I was going to do as a career. 海角社区 helped me get more specific,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 learned a lot about how to communicate with patients, and just six months ago, I was learning about facility planning. At the time, I thought, 鈥榃hen will I ever use this?鈥� Now, I鈥檓 designing a fitness center.鈥�
Wilcox is the health and fitness director at the in Homer, Ga. The fitness center she鈥檚 helping to design is scheduled to open Nov. 1.
When finished, the fitness center will feature areas for free weights and cardio equipment, as well as a bike ring and an area for group classes, many of which Wilcox will teach. The fitness center will compliment the golf club鈥檚 tennis courts, pool, golf simulators, and 18-hole golf course.
Wilcox has been involved in every step of the decision-making process, from the floorplan to the selection of equipment.
鈥淚鈥檓 amazed that I鈥檓 being trusted to do this,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel so blessed that I came to this area, got my degree at 海角社区, and was able to have this opportunity.鈥�
Chimney Oaks Golf Club Chief Financial Officer Michael Acton said Wilcox has every reason to be trusted with the project.
鈥淭his work is very important to the overall success of our organization. We strive to provide a wonderful lifestyle for our homeowner association members. The new fitness center Mackenzie is working on is a big part of that lifestyle,鈥� he said.
鈥淪he is very prepared. She understands the overall vision and has brought great insight and ideas to help the vision be even better. By far what has impressed me the most is the attention to detail in her work product.鈥�
As opening day for the fitness center approaches, Wilcox is looking forward to the work yet to come: helping members reach their fitness goals.
鈥淲hen I came to 海角社区, I knew I wanted to be in the fitness space. I love seeing people get stronger and feel better about themselves. I love being next to them and having a direct impact on their health journey,鈥� she said.
鈥淚鈥檓 getting to do what I love because I went to 海角社区 and studied Health & Human Performance.鈥�
海角社区鈥檚 Master of Science in Health & Human Performance is designed to be completed 14 months and prepare students for the Certified Health Education Specialist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exams.