FAIRFAX, Va.—GoMason.Com went off the court with junior Jessie Greenslade, a junior outside hitter from Millersville, Pa. Greenslade has seen action in every match for the Patriots since joining the team in 2013.

You're currently majoring in Neuroscience, not an easy slate without the time constraints of being a student-athlete, how have you been able to navigate?

 I just recently declared neuroscience as my major, and so I am at the beginning of my neuroscience requirements.  However, I have worked hard to schedule the necessary prerequisites and taken some optional yet challenging science courses so far. The key for me to being successful in academics while having the schedule of a student-athlete is time management.  Sometimes that requires sacrificing social events or spending a gorgeous weekend indoors, but the reward of succeeding in the classroom is worth it to me.  The material that I am beginning to learn in the neuroscience major has me fascinated.  The important factor is that I am passionate about volleyball and academics, so it is motivating to work hard at both.

How has Mason helped you do this?

Mason's academic support for student athletes has been crucial in helping me navigate my academic pathway.  The guidance of both my academic advisors and my academic coordinator has helped me select the necessary courses that keep me on track to graduate.  As well, they have helped me explore many of my options and interests as an undeclared student.  Mason offered the support I needed until I could confidently declare a major.

Why did you choose neuroscience specifically?

I chose neuroscience because it is a subject that combines my deepest interests and curiosities.  I love the influences of psychology and biology in the study of the brain. It is also a field that has just begun to be explored and has endless amounts of information to be discovered.  I am not exactly sure what career path I will choose to pursue in neuroscience, but I am excited about the field and its possibilities.

In addition to volleyball, you competed in basketball and track and field in high school you, what caused you to pick volleyball in the end?

I enjoyed being a multiple sport athlete for much of high school.  Each sport I participated in was fulfilling, challenging, and fun in different ways.  In the end, I chose volleyball because I could not imagine walking away from the sport.  I was blessed to have had a great volleyball experience in high school that gave me such a love for the game. I felt that I was not finished.  I wanted to continue playing volleyball at the highest level of competition that I could achieve.

What are you looking forward to most this upcoming season?

I am most looking forward to seeing all the changes we have implemented in our spring training come into our game play this season.  We worked hard with our new coach, Jackie Simpson, to learn a new set of defenses, offensive plays, and techniques that have improved our game.  I am excited to come back full throttle this preseason and get ready to take on our opponents.