Niles, Ohio, native Brad Isabella rises above and beyond academia to the prestigious position of fall 2025 valedictorian at Cleveland State University (CSU), armed with a Bachelor of Science in health sciences. Isabella's tenure at CSU is marked by his commitment to not just learning but contributing, working at the university's Rec Center from the onset of his freshman year. According to CSU's official announcement, his leadership skills shined bright here, as he ascended to the role of supervisor — the youngest ever to fill the position — and was honored as Employee of the Year by his supervisors.
The Choose Ohio First scholarship program paved the way for Isabella, offering a platform to participate in research and internships that would've likely been elusive sans its support. It was through this program that he and his colleagues constructed literature reviews worthy of awards — his freshman effort on exercise's neurological benefits and a subsequent study on caffeine's utility in neonatal care, each garnering accolades at annual conferences. "As I reach the end of my undergraduate degree, I carry with me my academic commitment, but also strengthened confidence and leadership skills, time-management skills, and a strong foundation of knowledge," Isabella shared, as reported by the Cleveland State University.
Inspiration often arrives from the wells of adversity, and for Isabella, it emerged following a spinal cord injury sustained during high school football. The pathway to recovery, aided by a dedicated physical therapist, not only mended Isabella but set him on his course to become a doctor of physical therapy himself. His resolve is to use his intimate knowledge of pain and rehabilitation to aid those in similar straits, guiding them to health and strength.
Maintaining his dedication to fitness and well-being, Isabella also works as a certified personal trainer, assisting clients in achieving their own health goals. The consonance between his academic pursuits and personal experiences has forged in him a firm belief in physical therapy's transformative power. "I believe my academic excellence, research, service, and impact within the community make me a strong candidate for valedictorian," he said, according to CSU News, highlighting the synthesis of service and education that have become hallmarks of his CSU career.
