Commencement Spotlight: Milan Harris

Commencement Spotlight: Milan Harris, Bachelor of Science Health and Human Performance

Future Plans: Accepted into graduate programs at Howard University, Florida A&M University, Tennessee State University, Columbia University, Northern Arizona University, a Mississippi Valley State University, North Carolina Central University, and Louisiana State University.

Milan (MiMi Harris), a 21-year-old native of Phoenix, AZ, will graduate on May 9 with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance from the Albany State University Darton College of Health Professions. 

Harris has built an extraordinary collegiate career defined by leadership, service, academic excellence, and national engagement. On campus, she served as Recording Secretary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Delta Rho Chapter), Vice President of Health Occupations Students of America, Holley Ambassador, and a member of the ASU Women’s Volleyball Team, where she achieved over 1,000 career assists and helped lead the team to SIAC Runner-Up honors. She also participated in organizations such as the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Minority Women in Pre-Med, Minority Association of Pre-medical Students, and the National Council of Negro Women, while earning induction into the Chi Alpha Sigma National Athletic Honor Society.

Her extensive internship experience spans sports, health, and business sectors nationwide. Harris served as a Health and Safety Intern with Amazon, participated in the USA Basketball Torch Leadership Program, and completed internships with organizations including the Philadelphia Eagles, HBCU Legacy Bowl, Spooner Physical Therapy, and ASU Sports Medicine. She also held national roles as a Black Student Athlete Fellow and workshop facilitator, delivering presentations on preparing athletes for life beyond sports.

In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, Harris built an impressive personal brand, serving as a paid ambassador for multiple national companies and participating in sponsored engagements across the country. She earned 48 scholarships from organizations such as the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, NFL, NBA, NAACP, and United Healthcare, allowing her to graduate debt-free.

A dedicated servant leader, Harris volunteered with organizations including Feed the Valley, Habitat for Humanity, and St. Mary’s Food Bank. She also founded multiple service initiatives, including Jeans 4 Teens, Soles for Souls, and a multi-state holiday meal drive supporting families in need. As an advocate for health equity, she served as an ambassador for WNBA star Tamika Catchings’ ADVOCATE HER initiative, promoting wellness and access to care in underserved communities.

Her accomplishments have earned her numerous honors, including the Albany State University C.W. Grant Legacy of Leadership Hall of Fame Award, Georgia 40 for the Future recognition, and selection to the NCAA NIL Empower Program. She also studied abroad in Thailand and participated in an international volleyball and service experience in Botswana and Zambia.

While enrolled, she also travelled to Atlanta, Georgia weekly to record appearances in the Netflix reboot of the “A Different World” Television Show, produced by Debbie Allen.

She is leaving ASU with accomplishments to be proud of including 14 internships, 20 ambassadorships, 20 attended fully funded conferences, 48 scholarships, nine clubs and extracurricular activities participation, three leadership roles, three fellowships, and three national speaking engagements.

Following graduation, Harris plans to continue her academic journey and has been accepted into several graduate programs, including Howard University, Florida A&M University, Tennessee State University, Columbia University, and Louisiana State University, among others. She intends to pursue advanced studies focused on exercise science and the psychology of athletic performance.

 

What motivated you to learn more about your field?
Since the age of 12, I have always been fascinated with physical therapy and how the body heals from an injury. This was a result of my own injuries sustained playing competitive volleyball. Additionally, I enjoy learning about exercise science and the mechanics used to keep the body performing at a high level, but with care. I also want to bridge the gap between patient and provider, and add to the small percentage of Black women in this field of healthcare. I’ve learned that people are more willing to receive your help when you have a personal connection to them and are able to genuinely understand their experiences.

 

Why did you choose ASU?
I chose ASU because I was able to be a well-rounded student. I was able to be a high performing student, an athlete, a queen on Royal Court, an ambassador for different companies, and make a name for myself to create a legacy of excellence. ASU was the perfect school for me to grow into a young woman and find my community while doing so. It’s small and big enough to make impact.

What do you love most about your chosen profession?
What I love about exercise science and physical therapy is that it is always changing, which is similar to life. There is always something new to learn and different ways to grow as a healthcare professional. I am fascinated with recovery, how the body responds to physical challenges, and how the body reacts to injury, recovery, and seeing the confidence develop with the patient from the beginning of therapy to when they are healed.  I also love the collaboration between physical therapy and other healthcare realms, such as nutrition and psychology. This field allows us to be mindful that each athlete/patient is still a human, and we should approach them as such. Also, there is a special connection and feeling you get to have with someone when you’re helping them return to physical wholeness.

Who has made the biggest impact on you, and who do you consider to be a role model at ASU?
There are three people who have made the biggest impact on my life at ASU. First, is Dr. Kristene Kelly, the ultimate role model. She has been nothing but professional, shown me authentic leadership, genuine support of all my endeavors, shown me how to be neutral in situations, and how to carry yourself as a leader in every role. She exposed me to many opportunities that allowed me to develop both personally and professionally and I will miss everything about her and who she is when I graduate from Albany.

The other individuals who have impacted my life are Dr. Anna Gibbs and Dr. Richard Foreman. Dr. Gibbs allowed me to experience active student engagement on campus by making sure I remained on top of my grades and assignments, but also providing the classwork missed and allowing me to submit work upon my return from internships, games, or professional travel. Dr. Gibbs really cares for me and other students and personalized our learning experience so everyone walked away feeling like they were valued in her classroom and can learn in a way that is best for them. Plus, she willingly wrote my recommendations to support my application for the more than 48 scholarships I have won to graduate debt free from ASU. Dr. Foreman always goes beyond the call of duty, especially when writing my recommendation letters for graduate school and scholarships. He often reminds me of my intelligence and has supported me in professional and academic endeavors. He truly has had my back, and I enjoyed learning in his Anatomy classes as he taught in a way that was fun and kept me engaged.

 

What are you passionate about outside of your education?
Outside of education, I am passionate about helping the unhoused. Through my experiences with volunteering to serve the unhoused, I learned that many are intelligent and want to change their situation, but do not have opportunities to advocate for themselves or resources (people, services, transportation) to help get back on their feet.

What advice would you give to other ASU students?
I would advise the students not to be discouraged by attending a smaller HBCU, nor allow attending a smaller HBCU to define them on their journey.  If anything, it makes our experience more unique because we can get to know more of our peers and staff, and use the resources presented to us. I would also tell them not to be so quick to leave. I did not want to stay at Albany at first. But once I got involved on the campus, and start moving in alignment with my purpose, I found Albany to be the right fit and you can too. It takes time to find your people, but you must be patient and intentional with your efforts.

What would you say to a high school student about choosing ASU to further their education? I would tell them to make the decision to attend ASU for themselves and not attend for someone else. It might be uncomfortable for a while, but as my mom always taught me, through discomfort is where growth takes place.  I would encourage them to join clubs, organizations, attend events, be intentional with getting to know other people, and make sure to remain committed to graduating when getting caught up with social events. Identify your interests, then join leadership roles, and you will find your community within ASU. Your experience will be what you make it, so come in with an open mind and be ready to take off from there.