Rizing Tide Scholars Archives

Championing Community and Care: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Emmanuel Noye

By Rizing Tide Team | August 29, 2024

Emmanuel Noye smiling while on a virtual phone call. Next to him, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Emmanuel Noye, 2023 Crest Scholar."

This is the third installment of the 2023 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! In the bustling halls of North Central College, Emmanuel Noye, affectionately known as Manny, stands out not just because of his warm smile and affable…

Inspired by Experience, Driven by Purpose: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Faith Blanchard-Ludanga

By Rizing Tide Team | July 24, 2024

Faith Blanchard-Ludanga, smiling while on a virtual phone call. Next to her, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Faith Blanchard-Ludanga, 2023 Crest Scholar."

This is the second installment of the 2023 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! Faith Blanchard-Ludanga, a dedicated student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, is on a mission to bring healing and hope to her community…

Inspired by Family, Driven to Dream: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Darwin Sandoval

By Rizing Tide Team | June 14, 2024

Darwin Sandoval, smiling while on a virtual phone call. Next to him, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Darwin Sandoval, 2023 Crest Scholar."

This is the first installment of the 2023 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars from Fleet III. Stay tuned for the next installment! For Darwin Sandoval, obtaining a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree means absolutely everything. A dedicated student at Saint Joseph’s University, Darwin…

Rizing Tide’s Third Anniversary: A Celebration of Empowerment, Progress, and Community

By Rizing Tide Team | October 16, 2023 |

The headshots of Rizing Tide Crest scholars, Ricky Locci, Elisha Li, and Tyrell McGee sit on a green background with artistic beige and dull blue circles.

As we commemorate the third anniversary of the Rizing Tide Foundation, the team has just one thing to say: What a whirlwind! Our mission of empowering a new generation of BIPOC leaders in the physical therapy profession is making some serious progress. It’s an honor to witness the tremendous growth of our older cohorts of…

Pioneering Change in Pelvic Health: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Bridget Ochuko

By Rizing Tide Team | September 27, 2023

Bridget Ochuko, mid-conversation while on a virtual phone call. Next to her, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Bridget Ochuko, DPT, 2022 Surge Scholar."

This is the thirteenth (and final) installment of the 2022 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! Bridget Ochuko’s journey into the field of physical therapy began with a desire to improve the well-being of others. Her background as an…

Empowering Athletes and Embracing Diversity: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Keairez Coleman

By Rizing Tide Team | August 3, 2023

Keairez Colemen, mid-conversation while on a virtual phone call. Next to him, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Keairez Coleman, DPT, 2022 Surge Scholar."

This is the twelfth installment of the 2022 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! Keairez’s journey into the field of physical therapy sparked from a keen observation and a desire to help others. Growing up in an area with…

Putting Orthopedics on the Map: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Devon Morris

By Rizing Tide Team | June 26, 2023

Devon Morris smiling while on a virtual phone call. Next to her, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Devon Morris, 2022 Surge Scholar."

This is the eleventh installment of the 2022 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! Devon Morris’s love for sports and her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of athletes defined her occupational journey. Her academic path was rigorous—after completing…

The Power of Mentorship: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Carolina Mahecha Millan

By Rizing Tide Team | May 25, 2023

Carolina Mahecha Millan smiling while on a virtual phone call. Next to her, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Carolina Mahecha Millan, 2022 Crest Scholar."

This is the tenth installment of the 2022 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! Carolina Mahecha Millan is a physical therapy student at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) who is excited to break away from the norms of…

Finding Her PT Zen: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Erika Gonzalez

By Rizing Tide Team | April 26, 2023

Erika Gonzalez smiling while on a virtual phone call. Next to her, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Erika Gonzalez, 2022 Crest Scholar."

This is the ninth installment of the 2022 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! When asked why she chose to attend Texas State University’s physical therapy program, Erika Gonzalez—a 2022 Crest scholar—says that it all came down to some…

Breaking Down Barriers: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Said Mendez

By Rizing Tide Team | April 4, 2023

Said Mendez smiling while on a virtual phone call. Next to him, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Said Mendez, 2022 Crest Scholar."

This is the eighth installment of the 2022 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! Said Mendez is a barrier-breaker—or at least, he hopes to be. As a current student at Duke University, Said is pursuing a degree in physical…