YSU alumna returns as graduate assistant, pursues career in health care leadership
Student Spotlight
Youngstown State University provides graduate students with opportunities to gain professional experience through graduate assistantships, allowing them to work alongside faculty and university staff while developing skills related to their academic and career goals.
For Maddi Shoults, YSU has become more than a place to earn a degree or compete as a student-athlete. It has become a community that continues to shape her academic journey, professional goals and passion for helping others.
After transferring to YSU to continue her collegiate golf career, Shoults found a supportive environment that encouraged her growth both on and off the course. Now, after earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology in May 2026, she has returned to pursue a Master of Health and Human Services with a concentration in health administration while serving as a graduate assistant with the women’s golf program.
Originally from Circleville, Ohio, Shoults began her college career at Ottawa University Arizona, where she earned national recognition for her accomplishments in golf. Despite her success, she wanted to compete at a higher level while moving closer to home.
That search eventually brought her to YSU, where a campus visit and the welcoming environment of the women’s golf program made a lasting impression.
“I told him, ‘Give me a few days and I’ll let you know,’” Shoults recalled after receiving an offer to join the team. “Then I was in the car like 15 minutes later, and I’m like, ‘Yeah. What am I doing? Obviously, I love it.’”
For Shoults, the university offered the right balance of athletic opportunities, academic support and personal connections.
“It’s like a smaller school, but you still get that bigger school feel at the same time,” Shoults said. “You’ll see the same people, your professors will know who you are and you’ll get close connections. It’s kind of that happy medium.”
Shoults transferred to YSU before the 2024-25 season after earning two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics second-team All-America honors at Ottawa University Arizona.
Her success continued as a Penguin. During her first tournament at YSU, Shoults earned individual medalist honors, beginning a collegiate career that would include multiple tournament victories and conference recognition.
In her junior season, she earned second-team All-Horizon League honors before being named first-team All-Horizon League as a senior in 2025-26. During her final season, she competed in all 12 tournaments, averaging 75.6 strokes per round while recording one individual tournament victory, five top-five finishes and 10 top-25 performances.
While proud of her athletic accomplishments, Shoults said the relationships she developed with teammates and the lessons she learned through competition have been equally meaningful.
“I always like to say golf is a lot like life, where you kind of just get thrown out there and you have to figure it out,” Shoults said. “There’s no substitutions. If you play badly, you just have to keep going.”
Balancing Division I athletics with academic responsibilities also taught Shoults the importance of perseverance, time management and prioritizing her mental health. After completing her undergraduate degree, Shoults considered continuing her education elsewhere. However, the relationships she had developed at YSU, along with the financial support and opportunity to remain involved with the women’s golf program, influenced her decision to stay.
“I just couldn’t stay away,” Shoults said. “I looked at going somewhere else, but honestly, with the financial help here and just knowing everyone already, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be with my team again.”
Her return marked a new chapter as she transitioned from student-athlete to graduate assistant on the women’s golf coaching staff for the 2026-27 season.
In her new role, Shoults assists with practices, tournament preparation, team travel and other responsibilities while providing encouragement and support to student-athletes navigating many of the same challenges she experienced.
“I’m really there for emotional support, and I think my background in psychology helps a lot with that,” Shoults said. “These are all my best friends on the team, so they trust me.”
The position has allowed her to remain connected to the program that played an important role in her undergraduate experience while developing leadership and mentoring skills.
As she continues her graduate education, Shoults credits YSU faculty, coaches and advisers with helping her explore opportunities and develop her professional interests. She specifically recognized Daniel Van Dussen, professor of human performance and rehabilitation sciences, who encouraged her to consider applying for a competitive scholar opportunity focused on aging and gerontology that could provide additional research and presentation experience.
“He’s been really supportive and just trying to get me as many resources and connections as possible,” Shoults said.
From earning recognition as a collegiate golfer to returning as a graduate assistant and preparing for a career in health care leadership, Shoults continues to build on the opportunities and relationships she found at Youngstown State University.
Through the university’s academic programs, athletic community and faculty mentorship, she has found the support to explore new interests, develop professional skills and pursue a future dedicated to improving the lives of others.
“YSU has been one of the best decisions of my life,” Shoults said.