The anatomy of success

A Perfect Combination

Matthew Roache’s family moved from Jamaica in 2005 when the nursing shortage in Rhode Island offered the perfect opportunity for his parents to emigrate. His mother was a nurse and was recruited to work at Kent Hospital in Warwick, and his father’s career in information technology was easily transferrable as well. As a result, he and his brothers grew up in Warwick with a personal awareness of the value of education and an appreciation for the health sciences.

Roache was a high school varsity athlete in volleyball, soccer, and basketball, while also excelling in his science classes. His mother suggested a career in physical therapy, and Roache realized he could combine his love of science and sports.

When he was evaluating colleges, URI quickly rose to the top of the list. It offered a kinesiology major and a physical therapy doctorate program. In addition, Roache’s older brother, an engineering student at URI, was happy here. Matthew had helped move him on to campus several times and liked what he saw. And then there was cost.

“URI was also one of the most affordable options for me as a Rhode Islander, and it provided me with financial aid,” said Roache. “That was important to me and my family because it allows me to focus on my academics and be less stressed about the cost.”

Roache’s interest in kinesiology was solidified in his “Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology” course, but it had a heavy workload.

“My biggest adjustment at URI was changing the way that I went about organizing my days,” said Roache. “I would write down each day all the tasks that I would want to complete and what I planned to do for the day, which kept me on task.

“Now I’m planning to be a resident academic mentor for the College of Health Sciences because I have been successful in the first years of college and would like to share what helped me. I will provide one-on-one academic support to students in their living and learning community and coordinate in-hall programming with college faculty.”

Roache has balanced the rigorous academic demands of his program with activities and people he enjoys. Whether it is playing intramural sports or participating in the Christian club, Sankofa, he has found friends who share his interests.

He watched his parents pursue their dreams. Now it’s his turn.