What inspired or interested you about your field of study? And why did you choose Oregon State?

Growing up along the Oregon coast, I've always dreamed of attending OSU. I toured the campus in high school and immediately knew it was the place I wanted to be. Around the same time, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, which brought significant challenges to my life.

Meeting a dietitian and diabetes educator at OHSU, who also had type 1 diabetes, was transformative—she showed me I wasn’t alone and inspired me to help others in the same way. OSU’s excellent dietetics program was the perfect fit for my undergraduate studies, and I knew I wanted to continue here for my graduate degree as well.

What are you doing in your internship and/or what is your main project?

I am currently completing my internship at Oregon State University. My first rotation was with the Corvallis School District, which was an incredibly fulfilling experience.

My second and most recent rotation was at Samaritan Outpatient Diabetes Clinic in Albany, where I worked with a team of six Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES), three dietitians and three nurses. This experience solidified my decision to pursue a career as a CDCES.

While I primarily worked with the dietitians on nutrition education, I also collaborated with the nurses, assisting with diabetes education by providing nutrition support.  

Currently, I am working on my capstone project and preparing my portfolio.

What do you see as the greatest value of your internship?

The biggest takeaway from my internship so far is that not every patient responds to textbook treatments.

During my time at the Samaritan Albany General Hospital – Diabetes Education Clinic, my preceptors stressed the importance of meeting patients where they are and taking small, realistic steps from there.  

I saw this play out in so many interactions, but one that stuck with me was when I was teaching the USDA MyPlate method, and the patient absolutely hated it. Instead of sticking to the script, I switched things up by drawing the plate with them and adjusting my approach to better fit their needs—and it made all the difference. 

What do you think of your experience at Oregon State and the college so far? Any stand-out experiences?

I’ve had the privilege of completing both my undergraduate and graduate degrees at OSU, which has allowed me to build lifelong friendships and connections.

The professors here have been incredibly supportive, fostering my passion for diabetes education and offering numerous opportunities to deepen my knowledge in this field.

For anyone considering OSU’s College of Health, I’d say the combination of a strong academic foundation and a supportive community makes it an excellent choice.

Have you received a scholarship? If so, how has it affected your life and your studies?

I’ve been so grateful to receive the Vivian Shriver Thompson scholarship every year I’ve been at OSU. This year I was also awarded the John W. & E. Roxie Howlett Education Fund, which has been a huge help with internship expenses.

Coming from a low-income, single-parent household, this support has meant the world to me—it’s allowed me to focus on my studies and work toward my goals without as much financial stress.

What are your post-college dreams/plans?

After college, my main goal is to earn my Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) credential. I plan to work as a CDCES in rural and low-income areas, where access to diabetes education is often limited. I also hope to become "pump certified" so I can teach people with diabetes how to use a variety of insulin pumps effectively.