Samantha Molony '17

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Samantha Molony ’17 was a very involved Charleston School of the Arts student. Molony was determined that her college experience would be just as rewarding as her magnet high school experience had been.

The summer before her freshman year, Molony received information and an application from Winthrop’s TRiO Achievers Program.

“I knew right away that TRiO would be a great way for me to make connections from day one,” Molony said.

The TRiO Achievers Program introduced Molony to a range of opportunities for engagement.

“I am a first-generation college student, so my parents weren’t able to personally prepare me for the college experience,” Molony said. “But, my parents are grateful that TRiO could. The TRiO Achievers tutoring program kept me on track, and my TRiO advisor, Janelle Stevens, was my college mom. She gave me both academic and personal advice. I cried many times in her office, and she always had the right words to stop the tears.”

Molony graduated from Winthrop in May of 2017 with a bachelor of science in athletic training. She’s now an athletic trainer at Nations Ford High School in Fort Mill. Molony specializes in injury management, diagnosis and injury prevention, and also provides therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation.

"I was very fortunate to do my athletic training internship at Nations Ford High School where I got to see first-hand the power of personal connections,” Molony said. “If I had one bit of advice for college students it would be to get connected as early as possible. This will make a tremendous difference, not only in your Winthrop experience, but in the rest of your life.”