Mikel Avalos

Mikel Avalos is a transfer kinesiology major, coaching minor from Aurora, IL

Hometown: Aurora, IL

High School: Metea Valley High School

Year: Expected graduation: 2024

Minor: Coaching

What school did you transfer from?
University of Texas at El Paso

Why did you choose to attend NIU?
I really enjoyed my visit during the time when I was looking around at schools to attend.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
I really wanted to be a baseball player growing up. I wasn’t very good, but what got me to my first college and to play in Beloit was my hard work. I am not really pursuing being a baseball player anymore, but rather to stay around the game I loved by becoming an athletic trainer. During my time here at NIU, I also managed to get a minor in coaching so I can have different avenues to stay around the game.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am a kinesiology major with a coaching minor. I really loved playing all sports growing up, and when I got to high school, everyone kept getting bigger than me, so I dropped football and basketball. However, I still love to watch and be involved with the fine details of those sports. Through my classes here at NIU for my coaching minor, I also came around to watching other sports such as soccer, pickleball, track and field, and others that we learned how to coach.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I found that here, in comparison to my other two colleges I have attended, I can shoot my advisor an email and hear back quickly; that my professors recognize me outside of the classroom and have offered up great opportunities for work and internship possibilities; and lastly, that everyone in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education is friendly and very personable, whether it’s inclusion on a school trip or just hanging out in the Anderson Hall lounge talking about classes and our interest in kinesiology and all its aspects.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
Yes, most definitely. I met my most recent best friend, Will Carter, on a trip with the Exercise Science Club to Lake Geneva for the ASR obstacle course. Up until his graduation, I would hang out every day with him and our buddies Allison, Lindsey, Alvin, Kurt and Liam. The Anderson Hall lounge was our meet-up at different parts of the day with one another, so I definitely found my people (kinesiology, athletic, healthy) in them.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am part of the Exercise Science Club, and it’s definitely added to my experience as a Huskie in a positive way, from making good professional connections to meeting my best friend and getting an even better relationship with some professors who oversee the club.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
My advisor, Anthony Calderala, has definitely helped me navigate through my NIU career and schoolwork. If it wasn’t for him, I probably would have spent another two years trying to figure out what classes to take to finally graduate. That’s one big thing NIU does better than anyone else: making sure there is communication between you and your academic advisor.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
I’ve had a few really good teachers, and with one semester left, I don’t think I can give the title to any one of my favorite teachers so far. But the top spot is definitely tied right now between Victoria Books, Brandon Male and Dave Benner. Between us, though, I think Benner is going to take the cake! In all seriousness, and to not hurt my chances for any letters of recommendation, I can honestly say there has not been one teacher I dislike or made me wish I had taken a different section of a course with another. Everyone, in the KNPE department especially, has been great at giving instruction and understanding when it came to missing classes for personal reasons.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
Yes, it’s important to attend class regularly if you can. I understand that things and life happen at inopportune moments, but it is worth it to attend class. For those who say otherwise, my comeback is, “Well, you’re paying for the class anyway,” like buying a car and never using it.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
The Anderson Hall lounge and just Anderson Hall, the reasons being that the majority of my classes have been there and it’s one of the few places where you can park and not have to walk five minutes to the building you need to be at, especially in the middle of winter.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Go where is best for you. I may or may not be the right person to ask, considering that this is my third and last (fingers crossed) university I attended. I would say go somewhere that really highlights the mission for four or more years of your life, which is to get a degree. For me, it wasn’t in Wisconsin, or even in my hometown of El Paso, Texas. It was here in DeKalb, Illinois, and if you would have told me that at 17, I would have asked for a map and then asked if you had hit your head. However, I really do enjoy being out here at NIU for my education.

Why is a college education important to you?
I need it in order to do what I want in life, which is staying around sports from a rehab/medical side.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
Having hometown friends and non-school friends or relationships is great. However, the best way I’ve been able to manage everyone and everything in my life is making friends through school, through my jobs and through where I spend most of my time making myself a better person. Everyone else I fill in and see when I can, but I really try to not take my eyes off my goals and to surround myself with people who might have the same aspirations and ways they are working in their lives.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
Through the Northern Star!

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I like to sit back with my dog, listen to music, go to range and camp, but most of all I like to lift heavy things over my body, which is the best way to relax! I really do recharge and relax when I work out and get a good lift in.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
Right now, I work at the NIU Recreation Center and the Eola Community Center in Aurora. I’m also getting back to working with the Goodman Elite, who do strength and conditioning training for the Blackhawks.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
Our mascot is really appropriate for the experience you will get here at NIU. As a Huskie, I definitely feel as though I have always been part of the pack. During my time here at NIU, I never felt like I needed to figure out something alone, or that I wouldn't have anyone to turn to for help. We really are just like Huskies in a pack that make one another better and watch out for one another. Go Huskies!