Mary Kampa ’19: Helping People on the Road to Recovery
Mary Kampa ’19 was drawn to Whitman College’s strong sense of community, emphasis on the outdoors, and liberal arts approach that encouraged intellectual exploration. Early on, she found her place in the climbing community and Outdoor Program, where she blended leadership, mentorship and a love for outdoor adventure.
A pivotal study abroad experience in Amsterdam sparked her interest in neuroscience, and with faculty support, she designed her own Neuroscience major several years before Whitman launched its own Brain, Behavior and Cognition program. Today, she works as a chiropractor, delivering patient-centered care and education to help people in pain get back to the activities they love.
“The opportunities I had at Whitman were instrumental in shaping my career trajectory. The liberal arts education fostered a holistic way of thinking that allowed me to explore various fields and gain clarity about my passions.
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Mary’s Pathway
2015 | Came to Whitman from Minneapolis
with a strong interest in outdoor leadership
2015–2019 | Joined the Climbing Team,
serving as captain for three years, helping develop the team and its culture
2015–2019 | Worked at the Climbing Center
as an instructor, front desk employee and wall technician
2016–2019 | Led rock climbing trips
through the Outdoor Program
2018 | Studied abroad in Amsterdam
through an IES Abroad neuroscience program, the first Whitman student to participate in that program
2018 | Designed and declared a Neuroscience major
upon returning to Whitman
May 2019 | Graduated from Whitman
with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience
2020–2022 | Worked as a Medical Scribe and Medical Assistant
in Minneapolis
2022–2025 | Enrolled in the Doctor of Chiropractic program at the University of Western States,
in Portland, Oregon, graduating in June 2025
2025 | Interned at the NeuroSport Spine and Concussion Center
in Vancouver, Washington
2025 | Joined Airrosti Rehab Centers
in Bellevue, Washington, as a full-time chiropractor and Airrosti Certified Provider
“Networking with professors, peers and professionals has helped me to hone my clinical reasoning, business skills and ability to learn new concepts—tools that have been essential as I pursue a leadership role in the chiropractic field.
”
Upward Pathways. Our alumni’s diverse student experiences and career paths showcase the transformative power of a Whitman education. Find other Upward Pathways.