“I wasn’t always like this,” said Janaya McCray Boston. “But I’ve learned that there are rooms you sometimes have to push yourself into. If you don’t put yourself out there, you’ll never know what’s possible.”

That mindset has guided McCray Boston’s journey at Temple University, from her early days as a Cecil B. Moore Scholar to her recent appointment as an ATA District 2 Student Representative. A graduate of Temple’s Exercise and Sport Science program and a current athletic training student, McCray Boston has built her college experience by stepping beyond her comfort zone and saying yes to opportunities that once felt intimidating.

Growing up in North Philadelphia, McCray Boston credits much of her drive to a friendly but persistent competition with her twin brother. The two pushed each other academically throughout school, balancing rivalry with support. That dynamic helped propel them to the top of their high school class as valedictorian and salutatorian, a story that later caught the attention of 6ABC Philadelphia in a feature highlighting their shared commitment to education and family.

“Our parents always told us the sky was the limit,” McCray Boston said. “We wanted each other to succeed. If one of us was stronger in a subject, we helped the other.”

McCray Boston initially imagined a future in veterinary medicine, but that path shifted once she realized she wanted to combine her love of science with her passion for sports. Watching professional football games, she began paying close attention to the athletic trainers working quietly on the sidelines.

“Athletic training is more than taping ankles,” she said. “You’re the first point of contact. Sometimes athletes don’t need medical care. Sometimes they just need someone to talk to.”

That perspective took shape through hands-on experience. As an intern with Temple ROTC, McCray Boston focused on safety, proper form, and education while working closely with cadets. She later interned with the University of Pennsylvania’s strength and conditioning program, where she gained insight into how adaptable and individualized athlete support can be.

“Student-athletes are more than athletes,” she said. “They have a lot going on, and learning how to meet them where they are really mattered.”

Outside the classroom, McCray Boston immersed herself in campus life. She joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, pushing herself beyond her comfort zone as an introvert, and became deeply involved with Main Campus Program Board, eventually serving as president. Those experiences helped shape her confidence as a leader and communicator.

“I’m not afraid of public speaking anymore,” she said. “I’ve learned who I am, but also how to connect with people who aren’t like me.”

As a first-generation college graduate, and soon the first in her family to earn a master’s degree, McCray Boston is proud to help break down misconceptions around higher education and show what is possible.

Looking ahead, she remains open to where athletic training may take her. While she plans to explore opportunities beyond Philadelphia, she is committed to staying connected long enough to make a meaningful impact through service and community involvement.

Her advice to incoming Temple students reflects the lesson she has lived.

“Get involved early,” she said. “College is what you make it. Try something new, even if it feels uncomfortable.”

It is the same approach that has carried McCray Boston into leadership roles and professional recognition, reinforcing a simple truth she has learned along the way: sometimes the most important step is walking into the room.