For senior biomedical sciences major Karissa Highlander, the University of Mary Washington has been the ideal place to be an athlete and a scholar.
Highlander has pursued a research-intensive undergraduate science career while also starting at center on a women’s basketball team that this year soared to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Recruited from Osbourn Park High School in Manassas by Coach Deena Applebury, Highlander visited campus and soaked in the basketball program’s close-knit atmosphere. But what sealed the deal was the chance to participate in UMW’s Jepson Scholars Program, allowing her to do chemistry and microbiology research on alternative treatments for antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis.
And she’s found something else at UMW – a bonus family. When a military transfer moved her parents to California halfway through Highlander’s college career, people from both her athletic and academic spheres helped fill the void.
Distance made it impossible for her parents to be in the stands most game nights, though they did travel east in February to attend Highlander’s last home game. Other times, teammates’ parents stepped up to cheer for her in addition to their own daughters. Professor of Biology Dianne Baker, who is co-director of the Jepson Scholars program, has attended home games. So have Professor of Chemistry Kelli Slunt and Associate Professor of Chemistry Davis Oldham.
“I always have some family around,” Highlander said, “just not always my own family.”
Highlander and fellow team seniors Ashley Martin, Molly Sharman and Bri Harper have connected since freshman year. Assistant coaches Alley Odell and Rebecca Harvey have been a support, Highlander said, and Coach Applebury has encouraged players in all they do.
“I love my coach – she pushes me to be the best I can,” Highlander said. “It’s more than just basketball. She’s always trying to prepare us to be the best possible versions of ourselves.”
After two pandemic-disrupted seasons, the Eagles women and came back stronger than ever this year, roaring through a 24-7 season and playing in the D-III NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen for only the fifth time in program history. The Eagles men also received a bid this year, marking the first time both teams have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in the same season.
With basketball season over, Highlander is looking back on a UMW experience that included two summers of scientific research funded by the Jepson Scholars program – one with Professor of Biology and Biological Sciences Chair Lynn Lewis, and one with Oldham.
“I have enjoyed watching her grow as a scientist over the past four years,” Oldham said of Highlander. “She is a very versatile scientist, having done well in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and microbiology.”
Now Highlander is pondering a bright future that’s likely to include graduate study in the sciences – and cheering on the Eagles from wherever she may be.
