Following the Colorado State Cross Country Meet in her senior year of high school, Jocelyn Farhar realized how much she would miss running. The Broomfield, Colo., native wanted to run in college.
College of Saint Mary cross-country coach Derek Fey had reached out to Jocelyn. She told him she was still interested, and they began the recruitment process.
Now a junior at CSM, Jocelyn is a member of the cross-country and track teams. She runs the 3K during the indoor track season and the 1500 meter and steeplechase in the outdoor track season.
Jocelyn has enjoyed being a student-athlete.
“I view practice as a break from schoolwork,” she said. “I think it’s been beneficial to be a student-athlete to me. Otherwise, I’m solely focused on school and need that break. I need that time.”
Jocelyn is a human biology major with a minor in chemistry. She is on the undergraduate pathway for the Physician Assistant Studies program, which allows students to earn their undergraduate and master’s degrees in just five years.
“I didn’t even consider the medical field until my junior year of high school when I took an anatomy class and fell in love with the material,” Jocelyn said. “I was so fascinated by how the body worked.”
A career as a physician assistant offered the work-life balance Jocelyn sought.
“I fell in love with the idea,” she said.
Jocelyn has gained experience working as a certified nursing assistant during the summers in Colorado. She’s also volunteered in the emergency room at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
“I’ve gotten to see some cool stuff there,” she said.
Jocelyn is considering joining the U.S. Air Force as a physician assistant after graduation. Her grandfathers served in the military, and her grandmother was a U.S. Navy nurse. She may also work in a clinic before joining Doctors Without Borders.
“I want to give back to people and help those around me,” she said.
In addition to attending classes and participating in athletics, Jocelyn has been able to get involved on campus, serving in Student Senate and as a member of the Do Unto Others club and STEMinists Club. She’s also helped with the Elementary Science Outreach Program, which brings exciting, hands-on activities to classrooms at Omaha metro area schools.
Jocelyn has also been named a finalist for the Heart of the Walking Woman awards two years in a row.
“There’s so much you can do and engage with. I feel like that’s a cool part of the CSM community,” she said. “It’s like a big family. Everyone I’ve met here has been so nice. I’ve just really enjoyed this school.”
