Why did you choose your program, and how does your program contribute to your career goals?
I chose Dietetics and applied to the Accelerated Coordinated Program (ACP) because I loved how food brought my family together. I know that food is healing, and I have seen that be true for my dad, who is diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. Watching how nutrition improved his energy, confidence and overall health made me realize how powerful the right education and support can be.
This inspired me to pursue a career where I can help others experience that same sense of empowerment. This department and program have given me the clinical knowledge, hands-on experience and community-focused mindset I need to turn my passion into a meaningful career as a future Registered Dietitian. It's a career that would allow me to contribute to the community in a way that is different than traditional health care. Dietetics is a perfect intersection of science, service and human connection.
What's been your favorite course and why?
There are so many courses that I have loved throughout my program, but one that has been especially rewarding is DHN 342: Quantity Food Production. This course is also known as the Lemon Tree Cafe since it is a student-run restaurant that is a living classroom where I have gained invaluable hands-on experience. Before this class, I had never worked at a restaurant, so this was a learning experience from day one.
Throughout the semester, I was able to rotate through various workstations and management positions, immersing myself in the various roles in a restaurant setting. Every Tuesday and Thursday, I would either prepare a meal or serve the meal. What made this lab so fun were the friends that were enrolled in the course with me. Everyone in Dietetics got so close since we were able to struggle, learn and execute a three-course meal together. My roommates and my parents even visited me when I was on my serving rotation so they could support me!
Have you completed an internship, job or been involved with a club that has been especially meaningful to you?
An organization that has been especially meaningful for me has been the Alpha Delta Pi sorority on campus. I was welcomed into ADPi during my freshman year, and it quickly became so much more than just a social group. It’s been a support system, a leadership laboratory, and a place where I’ve grown into myself. Through ADPi, I’ve built friendships that feel like family, and I’ve found opportunities to serve, lead and give back to the community around me.
One of the most impactful experiences has been our involvement with the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Volunteering by cooking dinners, helping with craft nights or just making the bed with clean sheets for a family that would soon arrive has grounded me in what service truly looks like. It showed me how small acts of care can bring comfort to families navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives. Giving my time there has shaped my understanding of compassion and service in a way that directly connects to my future in dietetics.
Considering all you have learned in your area of study, is there a common misconception or something you wish everyone knew about the subject?
A huge misconception is that nutrition is just “common sense” or that anyone can give nutrition advice. I wish people knew how much science, clinical reasoning and counseling skills actually go into being a dietitian. In my coursework, I’ve learned how individualized nutrition truly is. What works for one person could be harmful for another.
In addition, dietetics isn’t about perfection or restriction, but about meeting people where they are and using medical knowledge to help them improve their health in realistic, sustainable ways. Working in community settings has also shown me how factors like culture, access, food insecurity and budget shape someone’s ability to make changes. Nutrition guidance has to be practical, culturally relevant and accessible, or otherwise, it won’t make a real difference.
Best Lexington Spots to Eat Good Food with Your Friends
- Ume Craft Ramen: This is a Japanese-owned ramen restaurant that has great prices for authentic dishes that are so flavorful. It's near campus, so it's a casual place to sit down and attempt your chopstick skills.
- Big Kahuna: All available dishes at this restaurant are 10/10, but their Mahi-Mahi and Big Kahuna Burger are to die for. This is a place that never gets old, no matter how many times you DoorDash, since their Hawaiian BBQ is so unique to Lexington.
- Agave and Rye: Taco Tuesdays here is a must because their tacos are so filling. The deals throughout the week make this place affordable for college students, but still nice for a fun night with your friends.
Have another inspiring story to tell?
My sophomore year, I decided I wanted to go on an education abroad to Seville, Spain. To this day, it has been one of the most important and thrilling experiences of my life. I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to complete the classes necessary for my coursework back at UK, but I was severely mistaken. Not only was I able to complete classes that interest me, but I was able to study in a city that has allowed me to obtain opportunities that I never knew were an option for me. Not to mention, I made so many friends from different universities all over the world.
At my university in Seville, I enrolled in a cooking class that showed me what my future in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition would look like. I instantly fell in love with it! Now, I am an undergraduate instructional assistant for the DHN 302 Principles of Food Preparation cooking lab on campus. I love to advocate for studying abroad on campus as a Global Ambassador for WorldStrides, so if you're thinking about traveling to another country for a while, this is your sign. It's possible with any major/minor.