Resident of Montclair, NJ, captained the University’s first women’s flag football team and graduated among Centenary’s first class of exercise science majors

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, May 13, 2025—Brianna Worthy doesn’t shy away from new challenges. As a student at Centenary University, she enrolled in the first cohort of students to study exercise science, an intensive program that emphasizes both classwork and hands-on training. Now, the Montclair resident began classes last weekend for a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Dominican University New York. Worthy graduated from Centenary University on Saturday, May 10, with the Class of 2025, earning a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a psychology minor.

            “I’ve had some amazing opportunities at Centenary,” said Worthy, a student-athlete on the women’s basketball team and captain of the University’s first women’s flag football team, an NCAA emerging sport. In its debut season this spring, the Cyclones notched a 6-7 record. “It was a huge honor to be captain of Centenary’s first team and to play a role in growing women’s flag football and revolutionizing women’s sports in general.”

            A multi-sport athlete growing up, Worthy was initially drawn to the field of physical therapy to work with athletes. However, her classes and summer internship at a Clifton physical therapy clinic introduced her to the many opportunities in the field. Her clients represented diverse cultures, ranging from middle schoolers with sports injuries to seniors recovering from joint replacements. “My minor in psychology helped me to connect with every patient across different backgrounds and cultures,” she explained. “Now, I’m not 100 percent set on sports physical therapy. There are so many routes I can take: Neuroscience physical therapy, geriatrics, pediatrics, and even women’s pelvic floor health, which is really interesting to me.” 

            As an undergraduate, Worthy emerged as a student leader at Centenary well beyond athletics. She was vice president for the University’s chapter of Health Occupation Students of America, a pre-professional organization for students entering healthcare fields; academic initiatives and event coordinator of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee; a First Year Leader; and member of the Educational Opportunity Program, which provides academic, social, and financial support to eligible Centenary students.

            As she begins graduate school, Worthy is grateful for the many people at Centenary who encouraged her to broaden her horizons. “I just love the small campus and ability to connect personally with my professors. You can’t do that in a lecture hall with 500 students,” said Worthy, who chose Dominican University New York for its excellent physical therapy program and flexible class schedule. “Since my classes will on be weekends, I hope to work at the physical therapy clinic where I had my internship once I settle into classes at Dominican. It’s all been a full circle moment—everything has just really connected. I definitely think Centenary prepared me well.”

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Centenary University offers extraordinary learning opportunities that empower students to develop intellectually, emotionally, and interculturally—keys to career and personal success. Under the leadership of President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., the University aspires to advance its reputation as a world class institution offering innovative programs, including the world’s first Master of Arts in Happiness Studies, to lift the future for our students and local communities.