This article is part of The Next Step series. While the four years at VMI are designed for cadets to push themselves academically, physically, and mentally to tackle the demands of life at a premiere military college, they also prepare cadets for life after graduation. Whether that life be one in the military or one in the private sector, VMI faculty and staff provide guidance to cadets along their journeys. One department specifically dedicated to that endeavor of post-Institute success is the Office of Career Services. In The Next Step series, we highlight cadets preparing to enter the workforce after graduation, as well as those still in the midst of their cadetship preparing for internships over the summer. 

LEXINGTON, Va. June 18, 2025 — Graduate school was always on Whitney Tracy’s ’25 list following undergrad. Although her dream of pursuing medical school has changed, her time at Virginia Military Institute has guided her on a different path.  

The biology major from Blandon, Pennsylvania, will be attending Western Carolina University (WCU) for a Master of Health Sciences with a concentration in emergency medical care.

"After some career exposure and talking to various individuals in the health professions, I made the decision that I wanted to go to physician assistant (PA) school,” she explained. “I applied to WCU specifically because I was given an offer to be a graduate assistant for the women’s soccer team. With this, I would be able to coach while also earning a master’s degree, which was very appealing to me.” 

Tracy chose WCU because of a connection to one of the assistant coaches at the university, who happened to be her assistant coach on the women’s soccer team at VMI earlier in her cadetship. He reached out to her for the graduate assistant position for the women’s soccer team at WCU.  

“I specifically decided to do the Master of Health Sciences because, although it wasn’t exactly the program I had been planning to do. I saw it as a program that would help me further my knowledge of the medical field and give me a competitive edge when I do apply to PA school,” she said. 

Her program entails learning about health sciences in an administrative role, with a focus on emergency medicine. Also, with her role as a graduate assistant for the women’s soccer team, she will primarily be working with goalkeepers.  

"This will allow me to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the practices of medicine to help me when I do go on to PA school,” she said.  

She’s also always wanted to coach, so it will allow her to continue being part of a soccer team in some format.  

"When I got the offer to coach and continue my education at the same time, it felt like everything fell into place for me. This program is an opportunity for me to continue my love for soccer while preparing myself for the medical field as I improve my resume for PA school,” she said. “I have had a lot of experiences with the coaches I have had throughout my playing career that have influenced and impacted me in countless ways. I hope to be able to influence some of the players in the same ways that I have been while I am their coach.” 

Thanks to VMI, Tracy has been able to make multiple connections that have brought her many opportunities, including providing tools she can carry with her for the rest of her life — like time management, communication with others, and leadership skills. She was also able to do two summers of research at VMI and an honors thesis, which have taught her essential skills that will help her thrive while in grad school at WCU. 

“It has also set me up for success in more ways than one,” she commented. “The name VMI speaks volumes across the country and has helped me to not only get this job but will continue to help me get jobs in the future as I continue with my career.” 

Her future goals include specializing in women’s health — like becoming a PA in one of the branches of the military. She would also like to continue coaching soccer in some capacity.  

"This opportunity helps set up my future in a variety of ways so that I can take it in whichever path makes the most sense for me as I grow and develop as a person,” she admitted. 

Laura Peters Shapiro
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE