From Student-Athlete to Doctor of Physical Therapy: Meet Kenzie Wilkinson '23, '26
Mackenzie “Kenzie” Wilkinson ’23 ‘26 found lifelong friendships, professional growth, and a career dedicated to helping others move and heal at Oregon Tech. From competing in cross country and track to becoming part of Oregon Tech's inaugural Doctor of Physical Therapy cohort, her journey reflects perseverance, purpose, and the power of community.
Growing up in Klamath Falls, Kenzie stayed busy. She participated in a variety of sports, including basketball, volleyball, cross country, and track, while also pursuing pageantry through the Miss Klamath County and Miss Oregon Teen USA programs. She credits both experiences with shaping who she is today. Sports taught her discipline, teamwork, and commitment, and pageants helped her develop confidence and communication skills that continue to serve her professionally.
Health care was always on her radar. Inspired in part by her mother's experience with fibromuscular dysplasia, a rare vascular condition, Kenzie became interested in medical careers at a young age. During high school, she explored several healthcare fields through shadowing experiences at Sky Lakes Medical Center. It was while observing physical therapists that something clicked.
"I saw the improvement that the patients had from when I first started shadowing to the end. Seeing the difference that was made in their lives and how much better it made them feel made me want to pursue physical therapy,” Kenzie said.
When it came time to choose a college, Oregon Tech stood out for several reasons: its proximity to family, strong value, and small class sizes. Scholarships she received in undergrad, including the Strode Presidential Scholarship and other student-athlete scholarships, made Kenzie feel supported in pursuing graduate studies with less financial burden.
At Oregon Tech, she excelled both academically and athletically. As a member of the Hustlin' Owls cross country and track teams, she learned valuable lessons in time management and perseverance while navigating the rigorous Bio-Health Sciences curriculum. She also served as a student instructor for anatomy and physiology courses, helping guide students through the same challenging material she had worked hard to master the year before.
One of the most memorable chapters of her Oregon Tech experience was joining the university's first-ever Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) cohort. Consisting of just eight students, the inaugural group became exceptionally close.
“One thing that made my whole PT school experience really great is how close and how well I knew the professors and my classmates. We all felt like a team working together,” Kenzie said.
As members of a brand-new program, the cohort often had to adapt to changes and evolving processes. Looking back, Kenzie believes those experiences taught resilience and flexibility, skills that will serve her well throughout her career as a physical therapist.
The close-knit learning environment stood out as one of the most rewarding aspects of both her undergraduate and graduate experiences. Kenzie built strong relationships with faculty members, including professors she later invited to her wedding. She credits Oregon Tech's small class sizes with creating opportunities for meaningful mentorship that she believes would have been difficult to find at a larger institution.
Throughout her time at Oregon Tech, she also experienced moments that reinforced the university's uniquely personal atmosphere. From singing at a campus holiday event to later addressing the Board of Trustees as a DPT student representative, Kenzie was continually surprised by the way campus leaders remembered and supported students.
"It's really special when people know your name and genuinely care about your success," she said.
Kenzie is beginning her career as a physical therapist at Sky Lakes Medical Center in September. She hopes to become certified in vestibular and neuro in the future.
Looking back on her Oregon Tech experience, Kenzie points to one piece of advice for current students: take advantage of the relationships available to you.
"Get to know your professors," she said. "They're there because they love teaching and they want you to succeed. Don't be afraid to ask questions and reach out to them."
From student-athlete and pageant competitor to newly graduated Doctor of Physical Therapy, Kenzie’s journey demonstrates what's possible when passion, perseverance, and community come together. And as she begins her professional career in Klamath Falls, she's bringing the lessons and relationships she built at Oregon Tech with her every step of the way.
