Exercise Science Alumnus Betscakos '23 Discusses Post-Graduation Successes
January 30, 2025By Fatima Magana '22
MUNCIE, IN—Maximus Betscakos ’23, exercise science alumnus, found his passion for helping cardiac patients at Mount Union. Working alongside former professors, Betscakos gained real-world experience in the research field, which led him to pursue a master’s degree. His performance as a graduate student has earned him a full-ride scholarship to Kent State University's PhD program.
"I'd like to teach and further my skills as a researcher after graduating," said Betscakos. "However, years after earning my PhD I'd also like to open preclinics, which help patients maintain good cardiac health, prevent heart attacks, and help them age gracefully."
Betscakos explained that conducting research in the exercise science field as an undergraduate student prepared him to continue his path as a clinical exercise physiology graduate student at Ball State. Betscakos was the second applicant selected for the program out of a competitive field of 32 applicants.
"Working on research and a thesis as an undergraduate student is unheard of, but gaining real-world experience, writing, and public speaking skills [at Mount Union] set me apart from my peers in graduate school as I am one of six students in the program,” said Betscakos.
Betscakos' first research project was faculty-led with two exercise science professors at Mount Union. They focused on measuring the attention span of children in grades 1-8 while wearing face masks. This research project earned Betscakos a spot at the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) research conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where his research won second place.
Betscakos '23 conducting research at UMU
Betscakos '23 (left) presenting his research alongside two classmates
Betscakos '23 (far right) with his teammates
Betscakos '23 at a swim competition
Betscakos '23 at a research conference
Betscakos '23 presenting his research project
Betscakos '23 at graduation
Betscakos '23 at graduation with other exercise science students
Betscakos '23 with a friend at graduation
Since graduating from Mount Union, Betscakos has traveled to Boston and back to Florida to present research at research conferences, such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) national conference. A testament to his passion for the field, Betscakos will begin his PhD at Kent State this fall.
“When I attended a conference in Florida this past summer, I ran into a friend of my former professors from Mount Union, who asked if I was going to continue to earn a PhD,” said Betscakos. “I then gave my elevator pitch as he discussed Kent State University’s doctoral program, and as a result, returning from Florida, I applied to their PhD program and was selected for a full-tuition scholarship.”
While Betscakos’ academic journey at Mount Union has allowed him to continue thriving in both higher education and the medical field, his connection to Mount Union does not end there. Betscakos swam throughout college, where he found his second family.
“My visit to Mount Union was the only college visit I made as a high school student, and it was the only one I needed,” said Betscakos. “I felt at home, especially when swimming—it de-stressed me.”
Betscakos is grateful for the memories— travel experiences, swim and track competitions, and networking opportunities, to name a few —that he had as a student at Mount Union. His determination to succeed professionally and dedication to taking in the full Mount Union experience shows that achieving personal and career goals are always within reach.
“The most important thing I learned from [my time at Mount Union] is that you could go through the motions and do the minimum to get by, and you might find success, but if you work hard, success finds you,” said Betscakos.
Betscakos’ journey is one of the many that demonstrate Mount Union’s mission: to put students and their needs first. Whether enhancing their careers as student-athletes, gaining real-world experience off or on campus, or traveling, when students show up with a dream, faculty and staff members make it their goal to guide them down the right path.