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:
Shelbie Seeberg, Women's Fencing

Graduation Date:
May 2022

Valedictorian in the College of:
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

Degree(s):
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science; Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Studies; Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
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Favorite athletic memory during your time at Cleveland State:
Qualifying and competing at the 2021 NCAA Fencing National Championships

What did you learn about yourself during your time as a Viking:
I had many opportunities to ring the bell and quit on and off the piste, but despite the challenges,
I learned how far my passion, strength and will could take me.

Three words that describe your experience as a student-athlete:
Challenging. Unexpected. Fulfilling.

How did you balance your athletic and academic demands:
Very carefully, and often cramming as much as I could into every second of the day. 
Learning which assignments took the most mental focus for me to finish helped me effectively plan when to complete homework.
Nothing is worse than taking twice as long on an assignment solely because I didn't have the energy to do it. 
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Future job:
During Summer 2022 I will be working as a GIS Intern for Cleveland State's Energy Policy Center.

How did being a student-athlete at Cleveland State help you get to where you are going:
Being a student-athlete taught me to balance my many responsibilities, but also how to prioritize what was important to me.

How did you use your time at Cleveland State to figure out what you wanted your future career path to look like:
I explored different subjects through my GenEd and major's focus track electives,
and utilized two internships to explore what I did and didn't like, and what I wanted to future career to look like.

Where do you see yourself going from here in your professional career:
I see myself obtaining a full-time position in environmental or GIS sectors where I can use my knowledge and skills to create positive change.
Nothing is written in stone yet, but I am excited to see what the future holds for me.
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Advice to current student-athletes:
Don’t hesitate to make your student-athlete experience unique. You know your limits, your goals, and ultimately only you stand in your way.
Don’t be afraid to add more, or put less on your plate, do what is right for you, what fills your cup, and prioritize your needs and mental health.
By doing so, when you look back on your athletic and collegiate career you have something to be proud of no matter the outcome.
Don’t wait for permission to do what makes your soul the happiest.

What would you say to your Cleveland State coach that helped you get where you are today:
To Coach Griffith, thank you for reminding me why I started fencing 14 years ago and gifting me the ability to have something happy to look
back on my senior season. You are going to take our program far, and I look forward to seeing how our team’s unabashed passion and drive carries us forward.

What would you say to a Cleveland State advisor or professor that helped you get where you are today:
To Dr. Nagy, thank you for always having my back no matter how few classes I actually had with you. You supported me academically and professionally
in ways that were never required, and I am forever grateful. You showed me how to be confident in what I know and don’t know.
Your classes were always so refreshing and even post-graduation you give me something to aspire to.
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Being a student-athlete at Cleveland State allowed me to...
...have four more years of a sport I love, and learn how strong and capable I truly am.