Senior track and field triple jumper Greta Corneliusen dreams of serving others in nutrition and functional medicine career

Senior Greta Corneliusen of Colorado Springs, Colorado likes to stay busy. Majoring in exercise science with minors in biology and theology, she’s also a triple jumper and long jumper for the track and field team, just finished her second year as a resident assistant and is the new president of the Lighthouse Club. She also works at campus coffee shop 10:31 Coffee and serves on the university’s praise committee.  

“Concordia Nebraska is different from other universities because of the focus on Christian community and developing the entire person,” she said. “Whether it's in the classroom, chapel, through one on one conversations with professors and coaches, building relationships with your RA or through a club or sport, your entire self is being challenged and stretched to become the best version of yourself. I have found the best Christian community through numerous avenues at Concordia.”  

Corneliusen’s parents graduated from the now-closed Concordia University Portland, so she was familiar with the Concordia University System prior to beginning her college search. 

I chose to study at Concordia because of the small school atmosphere along with the competitive and successful atmosphere on both the track and in the classroom. I knew that I would be taken care of spiritually, academically and athletically. 

“When I was starting my college search process and track recruitment process, I knew I wanted a small school that was hopefully Christian with a reputable track program and a reputable exercise science degree,” she said. “I found that Nebraska had really good small NAIA schools. This led me on a big road trip with my family to tour three schools. After my tour at Concordia Nebraska, the choice was clear: it felt like home. I chose to study at Concordia because of the small school atmosphere along with the competitive and successful atmosphere on both the track and in the classroom. I knew that I would be taken care of spiritually, academically and athletically.”  

She said her time as a track athlete and service as a resident assistant have both been highlights of her time at the university. 

“The track team is my family. I have been able to step into a leadership position in the jumps crew, and I have loved getting to watch others flourish in their events and support their goals,” she said. “Track and field is a deep passion of mine, and to be surrounded by incredible teammates, athletes and coaches on a daily basis inspires me to push myself to better my craft. As an RA, I have had the opportunity to connect with so many people across campus. I have met my closest friends through being an RA and have learned so many life lessons through the experience. The friends that I have met through both RA and the track team have made my college experience absolutely incredible.” 

She pointed out that many professors and staff on campus have invested time in her and helped her to discover her vocational path. She said Dr. Nolan Harms, Dr. Connie Callahan, and Coach Benjamin Hinckfoot have helped especially helped her to truly discover her passion for exercise science and naturopathic health. 

“Through several long conversations, and interesting discussions in class, they have been patient with me and talked me through big decisions,” she said. “I can't tell you how many times I have sat in Dr. Harms' or Coach Hinckfoot's office rambling on and on about what my goals are and freaking out about what comes after I graduate. They are incredibly patient and have helped me network myself to open up several career doors.”  

Corneliusen said the opportunities she has had through Concordia through her resident assistant work, track and field experience internships will all help support her dreams to become a naturopathic nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner.  

“I have been able to gain the experiences I need to market myself well to graduate programs and my faith has greatly increased since coming to Concordia, which I know will carry me through the rest of my life,” she said. “It has been so refreshing to be surrounded by like-minded people at Concordia that will continue to push me in my faith. From long conversations with Pastor Matthias over the last three years, to deciding to minor in theology I have grown a lot in my faith. I got the opportunity to take two missionary classes with Dr. John Mehl during my first two years, which completely revolutionized the way that I saw the missionary field and my faith. As someone who has spent several years doing missionary work, I enjoyed those classes along with my other theology classes immensely. Speaking at Praise has also been a great way for me to step out and share my faith.” 

Corneliusen is very close to her family and said they are “everything to her.” 

“My dad owns his own insurance company, and my mom works as a para in third grade at my elementary school. My mom and I love to spend time shopping and going on long walks,” she said. “My dad and I are dance partners for life, and we love to cook and play baseball together. I have one brother who is married to one of my very best friends and together they are some of my biggest role models in life. My brother teaches high school band, and my sister-in-law is a third-grade teacher! We love playing board games, going hiking and watching baseball. They are my rock and my biggest cheerleaders on and off the track. I am so grateful for their support and their love!”  

Following graduation, she plans to pursue a master of science in integrative nutrition which will allow her to pursue a clinical nutrition specialist license and a functional medicine practitioner’s license.  

“My dream is to open up a women's all-encompassing health center and gym,” she said. “I would love to incorporate a functional medicine practice, gym, cooking classes and mental health and spiritual counseling as a way of taking care of the ‘full’ person and help women lead healthy lifestyles.”  

The exercise science program at Concordia University, Nebraska offers students the opportunity to advance knowledge, skills and abilities to create and execute exercise programs for a variety of individuals while staying current with innovative research by utilizing state-of-the-art human performance laboratory equipment. Students learn how to apply the gifts God has given them to enhance the spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional and social well-being of others. Concordia Nebraska can help them prepare for a career in exercise and health settings, as well as graduate programs in these fields.