At GSU, she was more than just a number

TaShea Moore 2

TaShea’  Moore is passionate about physical therapy and wanted to go to a school with an excellent reputation. That’s what attracted her to Governors State University (GSU) – and a number of other schools.

But what convinced her to enroll in 2019 was the diversity.

“I interviewed for a lot of schools, but everything I attended at GSU, including Open House, made me feel like people were talking to me as a person, and I was not just candidate number 50.”

Now that Moore has earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy, she reflects on her experience at GSU. 

After graduating from Monmouth College in 2017 with a degree in biopsychology – a hybrid of double biology and psychology – she had plans to go to physical therapy (PT) school.

However, she pivoted to marriage and motherhood, instead.

In 2019, Moore enrolled at GSU, however her passion for PT has its roots as far back as high school.  In her junior year, Moore injured her hamstring while on the track team. This led to PT for eight weeks and rehab. 

“I had a great therapist who listened to me and slowed me down so I could fully recover. He made my experience great, and I fell in love with the journey.’’

While at GSU, Moore discovered a fairly new focus of physical therapy – pelvic floor muscles which are located between the tailbone and the pubic bone and support the bowel and bladder. In women, they also support the uterus and vagina. 

She discovered the therapy after giving birth to her son. “I’ve always been athletic so muscle tone has always been there. After having my son, all the muscle tone was gone, and my core was not right.”

When she was researching how to re-train her core, she remembered her classes at GSU.

“I learned about all those core muscles in PT school and the pelvic floor function.”

In addition to a solid academic base, GSU gave Moore opportunities to lead. She served with the student PT association and as a grad assistant in the PT department.

Now, she looks forward to working with patients and future PTs, and representing the profession in underrepresented communities.

“I want to continue advocating for people who look like me to consider this field,” Moore said.