Taite Heller

Taite Heller is a student at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she is pursuing a degree in Health and Exercise Science with minors in Biology and Psychology. She has maintained a 3.97 GPA while preparing for a future career in healthcare. Expected to graduate in 2027, she is currently on the Pre-Physician Assistant track and plans to attend PA school after completing her undergraduate studies. Her academic journey reflects a commitment to learning, service, and professional growth.

In addition to her academic achievements, Taite is a Division I student-athlete on the Wake Forest University Dance Team. Balancing the demands of a rigorous course load with athletic responsibilities has helped her develop strong leadership, discipline, and time-management skills. Her dedication to the program earned her the team’s MVP Award during the 2025-2026 season, recognizing her commitment and contributions both on and off the performance floor.

As a member of the dance team for three years, Heller trains and performs for more than 15 hours each week while maintaining her academic responsibilities. She plays an active role in enhancing the game-day experience by performing at athletic events and engaging with fans. Her involvement also includes mentoring young dancers through junior spirit programs and representing the university and athletic department at alumni and donor events. Each year, she competes at the Universal Dance Association National Championship in the Division IA category. During the 2025-2026 season, the team achieved a historic accomplishment by winning the DIA Gameday Live national championship, the first title of its kind in program history.

Leadership is another important aspect of her college experience. Taite serves as a representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, helping to connect student-athletes with the university's athletic department. Through this role, she contributes to leadership initiatives, supports student-athlete advocacy, and promotes community engagement. In 2025, she was selected to serve as the student-athlete voice at the Faculty Advisory Committee meeting for Wake Forest Athletics. This distinction marked the first time a member of the Spirit Program had been chosen for the position. She also represented Wake Forest Athletics at a Leadership & Character Development Program event, where she spoke about values, identity, team culture, positivity, and mindset.

Her academic interests have led her to gain valuable research experience. As a Research Assistant for IGROOVE-POWER, Heller assisted graduate students in collecting and organizing muscle power measurements at the knee and ankle joints using standardized testing procedures. Working within a geriatric movement laboratory provided experience in functional movement assessment, cognitive aging research, and non-pharmacological approaches to improving health outcomes.

During the Spring 2026 semester, Taite served as a clinical research intern for The Osteoarthritis Prevention Study at Wake Forest University. This multisite clinical research trial examines whether diet, exercise, and weight-loss maintenance can help prevent knee osteoarthritis in women at risk of developing the condition. Through this experience, she gained additional exposure to clinical research and healthcare-focused investigations.

In 2024, Heller also worked as a virtual tutor through Wake Forest University. She conducted weekly one-on-one sessions with a sixth-grade student, creating personalized lesson plans and interactive learning activities designed to support academic development. Through consistent communication and encouragement, she helped build a positive learning experience for the student and family.

During the Spring 2026 semester, she launched “Dancing With the Deacs,” a dance class created in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Winston-Salem. Through this program, Heller teaches children and adults with Down syndrome while encouraging movement, confidence, and self-expression. She is also a volunteer dance instructor at GiGi’s Playhouse, where she works with both children and adults through educational and developmental programs that support individuals and families within the community.