Jordan Acosta has balanced her role as a varsity athlete on the softball team with her success in a challenging academic program in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Colorado State University. Her academic and athletic achievements, along with her outstanding contributions to the community led to Acosta being selected as the Outstanding Senior for CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences. As the Outstanding Senior, Acosta will also address her fellow graduates as the commencement speaker in the College’s recognition video to be released on May 14.
Acosta grew up in Castle Rock, Colorado, and chose to attend CSU not just to play softball, but also because of the top tier education, honors program, and the beautiful campus.
Reflecting on her time and achievements at CSU, she says that the biggest obstacle she has had to overcome is growing in her understanding that life is not about what we do but is instead about who we are as people.
“It can be very easy to get caught up in trying to appease others and battle for accomplishments and titles, but the most meaningful successes come when everything aligns with your passions and your heart,” said Acosta. “The idea of truly accepting the fact that you are worthy just as you are is a hard lesson to learn.”
Academic and athletic achievements
Not only was Acosta a Division 1 softball athlete, she is also graduating in the Honors Program with a 4.0 GPA and summa cum laude academic distinction. Outside of the classroom and field, she was involved in the Mountain West Student Athlete Conference as a representative, helped implement a “Black Lives Matter” t-shirt campaign throughout CSU Athletics, and served on the leadership team for Rambition advocating for women in sports.
While attending school during the COVID-19 pandemic, Acosta held on to the belief of controlling the controllable and being grateful even when times are difficult.
“There is a lot that was out of our hands during the pandemic, so it’s important to be thankful for our health and safety while continuing to make progress with the aspects that can still be seen as opportunities,” said Acosta. “Also important is taking time for yourself and knowing that days might be hard, so give yourself and others more grace than ever before.”
Plans for the future
After completing her bachelor’s degree in May, Acosta will begin her education in the master’s program in Health and Exercise Science at CSU while also conducting research in the Sensorimotor Neuroimaging Laboratory. In addition to her boyfriend, family, and friends, she credits her professors, advisers, and mentors in her major as her biggest supporters during her undergraduate career.
“They have all allowed me to be seen as not just an athlete, honors student, or person in their classes, but someone who is passionate and determined to make a difference in the world,” said Acosta. “I have engaged in many conversations with these incredible individuals who have each shaped my desire to be a better version of myself every day.”
The Department of Health and Exercise Science is a part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
