Cleveland State University

In this Celebrate. Recognize. Inspire. series get to know former student-athletes that not only achieved success in competition,
but also achieved success in the classroom - graduating as Valedictorians of their respective colleges. Through a collection of questions,
get to know more about their time as a student-athlete, where their path led them and what advice they have for current Vikings.

Name & Sport:
Kelly (Zaleski) Effner, Cross Country

Graduation Date:
Spring 2013

Valedictorian in the College of:
College of Nursing

Degree(s):
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
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Favorite athletic memory during your time at Cleveland State:
Going from 10th in the Horizon League to 4th over the course of my four years running for CSU and celebrating so loudly when we realized how far we came!
We were more excited than the teams that beat us, but we were proud of the work we had put it to get where we were!

What did you learn about yourself during your time as a Viking:
I came from a small farm town where I graduated with only 83 people in my class, so CSU and living in a big city could not have been any more opposite
of what I knew. My time as a Viking really opened my eyes that there is so much I didn’t know and inspired me to step out of my comfort zone
and expand my knowledge and perspective.

Three words that describe your experience as a student-athlete:
Passionate. Thankful. Teammate.

How did you balance your athletic and academic demands:
I honestly always felt that academics were easier during season than out of season. Everything was more structured and you were held more accountable
with your time. You had to schedule study time to make sure you got it done, which in turn made you a better, more organized student. 
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Current job:
Nurse Practitioner

How did being a student-athlete at CSU help you get to where you are now:
Being a student athlete at CSU taught me about dedication, how to get through tough challenges, and how to work together with others to achieve great things. 

How did you use your time at CSU to figure out what you wanted your career path to look like:
Being at CSU as a nursing student, you really are lucky with the clinical experiences you get to have during your education.
You gain experience at many large and well known hospital systems which helps direct you in the route you want to take as a nurse.

Where do you see yourself going from here in your professional career:
Continue to work as a Nurse Practitioner, while gaining skills that I can use to help my patients live a healthier, more fulfilled life.
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Advice to current student-athletes:
Get involved! I 100% believe that being involved in activities, spending time with teammates, volunteering, etc. helps you figure out who you want to be
and gives you the knowledge and skills to become that person. 

What would you say to your Cleveland State coach that helped you get where you are today:
Joe, you are such a role model to me! My motivation during my time as a student-athlete was inspired by wanting to make you proud, which I feel is a very
special dynamic in a coach/athlete relationship. I am so thankful for you and my time at CSU. You show through example how to be welcoming, dedicated,
loving, and fun and taught me so many important life lessons about all of these things…there is a reason that everybody knows Joe Jaketic :)

What would you say to a Cleveland State advisor or professor that helped you get where you are today:
I was always thankful for the professors that worked in the nursing lab, they were personable and really cared. They taught us the hands on skills
needed to care for patients. I appreciate all that they taught me!
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Being a student-athlete at Cleveland State allowed me to...
...grow into the person I want to be, make life-long friendships, and meet my husband who is also a former CSU athlete :)