Tell us about your personal background. Where did you grow up? What made you choose CSU?   

I was born and raised in the small mountain town of Basalt, Colorado. I originally chose CSU because of the scholarships I received and for its excellent nutrition program. I was grateful to have ended up in my home state of Colorado, close to my beloved mountains and family!  

Why did you pick FSHN for your field of study?     

I applied to CSU knowing that I wanted to go into a health-related field. Growing up, I enjoyed playing sports, spending time outdoors, hiking, and skiing – all of which involved staying well-fueled. My interest in cooking combined with leading an active and healthy lifestyle led me to the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at CSU.  

What was your most meaningful experience as a student at CSU?   

During my first year at CSU, I had the opportunity to join a student group called The Invictus Initiative on a winter break trip to India and Nepal. The Invictus Initiative was a nonprofit operating under a ‘relationship first’ model that promotes sustainable and empowering solutions for local communities. This trip shifted my entire perspective on how I could positively engage with underserved families and contribute to communities with limited resources.  

Tell us about your career path.   

Throughout college, I held multiple jobs so I could pay for my tuition and living expenses that were not covered by scholarships. I worked as a student development coordinator for the College of Health and Human Sciences Dean’s office, which helped me gain a deeper appreciation for working with the CSU community. Later, I worked as a research assistant in the Health Behaviors Laboratory under Dr. Laura Bellows. This experience further piqued my interest in providing nutrition education to underserved families in rural Eastern Colorado. Six months after graduating from CSU, I moved to Anchorage, Alaska, for a new adventure with the University of Anchorage Alaska Dietetic Internship. This internship program had a concentration on Alaska Native cultures and Alaska healthcare delivery systems. My degree concentration in dietetics and nutrition management set me up well for this internship. In 2021, I successfully became a Registered Dietitian.  From there, I was hired as the community educator for the Health Promotion Program at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, a non-profit Tribal health organization. Our team works to promote healthy living, wellness, and balanced diets that include Traditional Alaska Native foods. One of my main roles is to provide community education and cooking demonstrations for low-income families in rural villages. My variety of experiences and travels while at CSU provided an ideal base for me to be successful at my current job, which is a position that I genuinely love and learn so much from daily.