While studying Public Health at Miami, Karla invested in the local YMCA as an intern in employee wellness and later on staff as a Health Coach.  As a student, she performed research under two different professors in the Kinesiology department and spent a semester abroad in Costa Rica where she learned immersive Spanish and studied the local healthcare system. 

A long-time basketball player, Karla combined her love for the sport with her leadership ability to serve as the President of the Women’s Club Basketball Team.  She also served in leadership roles in both her sorority as well as her student-led chapter of Cru while balancing various part time jobs. Karla spent her summers volunteering both stateside and abroad including teaching English in Sri Lanka and volunteering in a local nursing home as a therapy aide.

She desires to delve into the public health sphere to propagate healthy living by pursuing a doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy to facilitate others in reaching their health and wellness goals.