Emily Alty is a current senior at the University of Connecticut studying Sociology and Environmental Studies on a Pre-Law Track. As a Division I athlete on UConn’s Track and Field team, she’s not just juggling academics and athletics — she’s mastering them. Being a Spring 2025 graduate, Emily reflects on her college journey, expressing that it has been filled with challenges, but with those challenges comes growth and gratitude. Her academic journey has encompassed her passion for environmental justice and human connection, as well as the desire to enact real change through policy and legal work.
Beyond the classroom, Emily shines as an athlete, specializing in discus throwing. Like many students, she faced moments of burnout, self-doubt, and pressure from all directions. Between grueling early morning practices, cross-country travel for meets, and writing research papers on tight deadlines, she often found herself pushed to the edge. However, being part of such a high-level program has profoundly shaped her college experience. Emily says that is has taught her the importance of working with other strong-minded women and learning to respect one another.
The mental toll of trying to excel in two demanding arenas has taught Emily how to build a support system, advocate for herself, and most importantly, how to bounce back stronger after every setback. She balances the demands of academics and athletics with poise and composure, which is no small feat. Emily does this through calculated planning, preparation, and focus; “During track season, especially when we’re traveling for meets, it can get tricky,” she admits. However, she makes sure to complete her coursework before traveling for track meets so she can fully concentrate when it comes time to compete. Thanks to her discipline and dedication to success, Emily continues to prosper both academically and athletically.
Emily also shares how being a female Division 1 athlete has shaped her leadership style and daily life in indispensable ways. From learning to support teammates through victories and setbacks, to navigating the transition from college to life after graduation, she has embraced the power of community and resilience. She expresses that being in your early to mid-20s can be a tough and transitional time, but having a team and community to lean on is the key to translating that time into success.
As Emily looks toward her future, her experiences as a student-athlete have instilled in her a deep sense of determination and adaptability – qualities that will undoubtedly serve her well in her career and beyond. For her, gratitude remains at the heart of her journey. Her advice to students?
“Take each day as it comes and to learn to fail and grow alongside one another.”
– Emily Alty
