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At �ؾ���, students are encouraged to go above and beyond in their endeavors. For some, this includes taking leadership positions, joining different organizations on and off campus, or volunteering their time to their communities. For others, this can take the shape of pursuing multiple degrees to gain more knowledge and skills that could benefit their careers. For one student, Seth Alexander, this pursuit includes leadership positions, dual-degree programs, and, most recently, a championship win in the university’s track and field program, marking his second National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Championship.

Seth Alexander is a third-year (P3) dual-degree student in the College of Pharmacy (COP) at �ؾ���. Along with his Pharm.D., Alexander is also pursuing a master's degree in health services administration through Regis University. Alexander is a lauded member of Xavier’s track and field team and proudly secured first during the national NAIA indoor triple jump competition.

“I wanted to defend my title and get an indoor national championship because it’s solidifying my legacy here at Xavier and NAIA. There are not many athletes that get an outdoor national championship and an indoor national championship. So, to get both, it’s amazing, and I am extremely proud of myself because it’s not easy while in pharmacy school and a master’s program.”

This win marks the second time Alexander won a national championship in the triple jump category. Alexander won the NAIA outdoor triple jump championship last year after rapidly rising through the rankings, an impressive comeback after previously missing the top 10 in 2022. He credits his coach for the turnaround in his track and field career and shares how excited he was to once again share the win with his teammates.

“I want to give a huge shout out to my coaches because they transformed me into a national champion in one year from not even being ranked top 10 in NAIA the year before. God blessed me with a coach that believes in me, and I believe in him.”

Alexander chose to attend Xavier after previously being committed to another university to play basketball, his then-primary sport. At the time, Alexander was involved with track and field to stay in shape in the offseason for basketball. However, from being so close to the Xavier community through his older brother, Kylar Wiltz (‘18), Alexander decided to attend Xavier and focus on track instead.

Alexander’s career decision to pursue pharmacy and his interest in learning how different medications and supplements interacted with and improved medical decisions also ultimately contributed to him attending Xavier’s College of Pharmacy, a decision that he says he does not regret at all and never will.

Balancing sports, academics, and leadership positions can be a challenge, but for Alexander, his discipline and determination keep him motivated and, both literally and metaphorically, on track. He has garnered many accolades and honors in his collegiate athletic and academic career. He has been elected for multiple leadership positions within Xavier’s COP including Mister P1 his first year and Mr. College of Pharmacy for the 2024-2025 academic year.

“I will never, ever regret my decision to come to Xavier. Never, ever. I am extremely blessed, and I do believe that Xavier is preparing us and definitely preparing me because it’s not easy. Pharmacy itself is not easy. On top of track, on top of being involved in community service and organizations on campus. I would never trade my experience. Never, especially now more than ever.”

Alexander’s now two NAIA championships have garnered him a reputation in his hometown of Beaux Bridge, Louisiana, and made him a source of interest for news organizations regionally. After appearing on his local news network, Alexander realized just how much people were interested in his story and his achievements and was glad to be a vessel for Xavier to get even more recognition. Yet, he expresses that the things he has accomplished are not all that he is or wants to be known for. For Alexander, who he is as a person is just as important, if not more, than the things he has accomplished in his academics and sports.

“People put me on a pedestal, and I don’t really care for it because I work for it. Anybody can do it,” Alexander said. “I grew up having to work. I wasn’t placed on a pedestal growing up, so I am able to understand what it feels like to be successful because I know what it’s like to not be as successful. And I don’t want to be known as just a national champion because my character sticks out to me more than any accolade or any championship that I bring to the university. It’s just about how I treat people. How I carry myself. How am I influencing people? Am I a positive person? For me, that’s what matters.”