Taite Heller

Taite Heller is a dedicated student-athlete pursuing a degree in Health and Exercise Science while minoring in Biology and Psychology. She maintains a 3.97 GPA, follows the Pre-Physician Assistant track, and plans to attend PA school after graduating in 2027. As a Division I dancer, she balances a demanding course load with training, performances, and team responsibilities. Over three years, she has trained and performed more than 15 hours each week while supporting fan engagement, community outreach, and university events. Her dedication earned her the team MVP Award during the 2025-2026 season. She also competed at a national collegiate dance championship and helped her team secure a national title in the DIA Gameday Live category. Beyond performance, Taite serves as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative, helping communicate student concerns and support leadership initiatives. In 2025, she was selected to represent student-athletes before a faculty advisory group, becoming the first member of her spirit program chosen for that role. She also spoke at a leadership event focused on values, identity, positivity, mindset, and team culture. Her interest in healthcare extends into research and clinical experience. She worked as a research assistant in a geriatric movement laboratory. She later served as a clinical research intern on a study examining ways to help prevent knee osteoarthritis in at-risk women. Committed to education and service, Taite Heller worked as a virtual tutor, mentored students, volunteered through community programs, and taught dance classes for individuals with Down syndrome. She will also serve as a teaching assistant in Human Gross Anatomy and is pursuing clinical certification while seeking direct patient care experience with compassion.