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West Virginia University Fuels First-Generation Student’s Journey to Physician Assistantship
A Morgantown student’s initial anxieties about navigating higher education as a first-generation college student dissolved upon visiting West Virginia University, setting her on a path to a fulfilling career in healthcare. Alexis Cipoletti, poised to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology in December 2025, is now preparing to embark on her next chapter: a seat in WVU’s highly competitive Physician Assistant Studies programme.
“I know for a lot of students coming in as first generation,it’s intimidating. It’s scary,” Cipoletti, a native of Wellsburg, West Virginia, shared. “I want to show people that it’s possible and it’s especially doable at WVU becuase there’s a lot of support.”
From high school, Cipoletti focused her academic pursuits on medicine, healthcare, and science. However, it was the discovery of the physician assistant profession that truly ignited her passion. “I fell in love with it,” she explained.”I knew it fit every aspect of my personality. I’m someone who really likes to work with others more than on my own. I really like to collaborate and get opinions and ideas from others. There’s a lot of value in that as this is a major aspect in the career of a PA as we work alongside a
Cipoletti credits the exercise physiology program with providing a strong foundation in anatomy and physiology. “I have a high level of respect for not only this program, as they granted us this opportunity, but also for those who donated their bodies to science.”
Beyond coursework, exercise physiology students can choose to pursue an internship or research opportunity. Cipoletti joined the lab of Salik Hussain, where research focuses on the impact of environmental factors on lung function and overall health. This experience was facilitated through the WVU Research apprenticeship Program (RAP),which provides undergraduates with limited research experience the opportunity to work alongside faculty mentors and earn course credit and federal work-study funds.”It’s been a great experience because research can be intimidating. Now,I feel so well-prepared heading into higher education,” she said. “As a first-generation student,I didn’t know if I was competitive enough or if it was something in reach for me. WVU graciously provided these opportunities.”
The program also equips students with essential clinical skills, such as taking blood pressure, interpreting EKGs, and analyzing body composition. To further explore her career aspirations and gain patient interaction experience, Cipoletti shadowed a physician assistant at a family medicine clinic in her hometown of Wellsburg. “I saw the trust PAs are able to build with their patients and that’s what I want to pursue as a provider,” she said. “I want to spend time with the patients,get to know them,and make sure they understand their care plan. I appreciated seeing the PA I shadowed form connections with patients as there’s such a continuity of care in family medicine. You’re seeing the same patients for years and you get to build a special relationship with them. That’s something I really value.”
The supportive environment and complete readiness solidified Cipoletti’s decision to continue her studies at WVU. Despite being accepted into multiple physician assistant programs, she found that WVU felt like the right fit.”For all my other interviews, I remember being very nervous and very intimidated,” she said. “The WVU interview was a little later, after I’d had a few others. I remember going into that interview feeling excited, which wasn’t really something I felt at the other ones. It was a special experience because it felt so cozy talking to them. It felt like a kind conversation.”
Upon completing the 28-month Physician Assistant Studies Program, Cipoletti intends to remain in West Virginia and contribute to the state that invested in her success. “I want to be able to give back to the state that gave me so much and especially the school that gave me so much,” she said. “I feel connected to the state more than ever because of the education that I was able to receive and connections that I’ve been able to make.”