CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel Class of 2022 and women’s soccer alum Isabel Flores obtained her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Methodist University (N.C.) earlier this month.

Flores played four years (2018-2021) on the pitch for Head Coach Ciaran Traquair, appearing in 51 matches and making 14 starts for the Bulldogs.

The appeal of the military aspect of The Citadel began before college for Izzy. 

“Prior to attending The Citadel, I was awarded a four-year Army ROTC scholarship and I knew I wanted to attend a school where I could play soccer and experience aspects of military life."

"I chose to go to The Citadel because it provided me the opportunity to play soccer, receive a good education, be exposed to military life, and live in a great place like Charleston.”

Flores wasn’t always sure she wanted to go on to earn her doctorate in physical therapy, but knew The Citadel afforded her options some other institutions of higher learning could not both as a student and a Division I athlete.

“As a Biology major, I knew I wanted to be a physical therapist, but it also gave me the option to choose from other medical professions like a physician's assistant or dentist. Over the course of my four years in Charleston, I played for the soccer program, participated in Corps of Cadet duties, and completed Army ROTC training."

“In my final year at The Citadel, I applied for an educational delay to attend PT school which allowed me to commission as a 2LT in the US Army in May of 2022 and go straight into physical therapy school that August.”

Flores’ journey from undergrad to doctor culminated earlier this month as she graduated from Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C., near her hometown of Aderdeen, with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Izzy is scheduled to take the national physical therapy exam in July to become a licensed physical therapist while also receiving orders later this year to attend the Medical Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC). Upon completion, Flores will receive orders for her first duty station and be an active duty US Army Physical Therapist.

“I am obligated to serve a minimum of four years active duty due to the Army’s financial support for my undergraduate schooling, but I plan to make a full career out of being a US Army Physical Therapist. I am excited for this new chapter and I am thankful for all the friends and family I made at The Citadel who helped me get to this point of my life!”