When Carolyn Sean Price returned home to Fredericton after her first year at Western University, she didn't have a carefully mapped future.
Now, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology at UNB Fredericton's 2026 Fall Convocation, Price is pursuing a master's degree in Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine at the University of Glasgow, building on experiences she says began with one decision.
After transferring from Western University to the University of New Brunswick, Carolyn Sean Price found a close-knit learning community, hands-on research opportunities, and a passion for Para-sport that led her to graduate studies in Scotland.
"I genuinely don't think I'd be where I am today if I hadn't transferred to UNB," Price said. "It gave me the best education that I could have hoped for."
From history to kinesiology
Price grew up in Fredericton, minutes from campus, but UNB wasn't her first choice.
After high school, she headed to Western University to study history and compete as a varsity rower. Midway through her first year, she stepped away from the sport and began rethinking her plans.
She planned to work in Fredericton that summer. But a late application to UNB, encouragement from her older sister, and a growing interest in kinesiology would shape her academic career and future ambitions.
She had a family history with UNB.
Preceding her were her father, Dr. Brian Price (BSc.'89) and her older sister, Lauren (BScKin'24). Price credits her sister's enthusiasm for UNB with steering her toward the Faculty of Kinesiology.
"She's my hero. She's the coolest person I know," Price said.
" I'll give it a try'," Price recalled thinking. "And within the first semester, I was like, Yeah, okay, I'm happy. This is great. Let's just keep going with this.'"
She found what she had been missing.
Price said UNB's smaller size helped foster relationships with professors and classmates that extended beyond the classroom.
"I felt more like I was a part of the university and less like I was just attending classes," she said.
That sense of connection continued even after graduation. While completing a graduate assignment in Scotland, Price recently contacted Dr. Ken Seaman for advice on a topic from one of his courses.
"He responded very quickly and sent me an extra paper to read about it," she said. "Everybody was so supportive when I was there, and even after I graduated."
Research opportunities opened doors.
At UNB, Price explored a wide range of interests through research, laboratory work, and experiential learning opportunities. These experiences prepared her for graduate studies and confirmed her interest in biomechanics and sport science.
Dr. Fred Mason supervised her honours project, which examined the motivations and social implications behind the 1988 Seoul Paralympic Games. She also worked in Dr. Wayne Albert's Occupational Performance Lab, where she developed skills in data analysis, project management, and research.
By taking classes under Dr. Victoria Chester (who also acts as the co-director of the Andrew and Marjorie McCain Human Performance Laboratory), she gained experience using motion-capture technology, gait analysis systems, and force plates.
"Maybe I took it for granted when I was there," Price said of UNB. "Now that I'm here in Scotland and I'm noticing that my classmates here didn't necessarily have that kind of experience, I realize I was super lucky that I was able to gain that experience."
A passion shaped through service
Research was only part of Price's university experience.
Before coming to UNB, she had worked at Camp Rotary in Grand Lake, an overnight camp for people with disabilities. That experience sparked an interest that grew through her involvement with S.P.R.I.N.G. (Students Pairing to Reach Individual Needs & Goals), an adaptive recreation and mentorship program that partners UNB students with children with disabilities aged three to 15.
During her three years with S.P.R.I.N.G., Price served as a volunteer, finance officer, and co-president. Working closely with one participant over two years gave her a deeper understanding of accessibility and inclusion.
"It really sparked my passion for Para-sports, and Paralympic research specifically," she said.
She expanded her perspective by volunteering at Camp California in Croatia, where she worked with children and staff from across Europe.
"The biggest thing that I learned from that was that people are more often more similar than they are different," she said.
Now studying in Scotland and exploring opportunities in applied sport science and research, Price plans to continue her education after obtaining her master's degree and possibly find work with sports teams in Scotland. She believes her future will remain closely connected to the field she discovered at UNB.
"Ultimately, I'd love to work for Para Alpine Canada as a member of their performance team for their athletes," she said. "That's my goal."
