Category: Health Behavior & Nutrition Sciences
CHS Class of 2024 Spotlight: HBNS
May 23, 2024 Written by Amy Cherry | Photos by Ashley Barnas Larrimore
We're honoring the Class of 2024 by shining the spotlight on some of the best and brightest graduates from the Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences:
Annie Antonov
Nutrition and Medical Sciences major, Health and Wellness minor
Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:
Opportunity. Enlightening. Networking.
Why Annie chose UD?: "The College of Health Sciences had so much variety in pre-health majors that all seemed interesting. I took the NDT200-Nutrition Concepts class and fell in love with the field and realized the impact of nutrition on our overall health."
Post-graduation plans: Working full-time as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where she will focus on the Environmental Outcomes on Children's Health (ECHO) project.
How did UD prepare you for your future? "UD has provided me a foundation for my career by expanding my knowledge, network, research skills, and so much more that will be crucial to my success in the future. The coursework and hands-on experience at UD helped me discover my passion for research and what I want to pursue as a career."
Favorite academic experience: "Participating in research. The opportunity to present my work in a poster and one-minute pitch at CHS Research & Innovation Day was unlike anything else I have experienced in my undergraduate career."
Favorite non-academic experience: "Keith from The Try Guys and his band performed at the Trabant Student Center during my sophomore year. My friends and I went to see him, and it was an unforgettable concert experience right here on campus."
What does it mean to you to be a Blue Hen: "Being a Blue Hen means carrying the pride, sense of community, and spirit instilled by UD wherever I go!"
Kelsi lussier
Nutrition and Dietetics and Sociology double major
Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:
Passionate. Fulfilling. Exciting
Why Kelsi chose UD? "I have always been passionate about health but knew I didn't want to pursue medicine. I immediately fell in love with nutritional sciences as preventative medicine. I chose UD specifically because of the amazing dietetics program and because I loved all the opportunities at UD for students to get involved in the community here on campus."
Post-graduation plans: Obtaining a Master of Public Health in Nutrition and Dietetics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
How did UD prepare you for your future? "Not only does UD's College of Health Sciences have a fantastic dietetics program and a multitude of extracurriculars that deepened my learning experience, but so many of the professors in the Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences served as amazing mentors who enriched my experience and aided me in gaining acceptance into my desired graduate program. I am so thankful for them all!"
Favorite academic experience: "Volunteering in UD's Nutrition Clinic reaffirmed my passion for the field. There, I shadowed registered dietitian Sharon Collison as she counseled a client on weight loss without forgoing her cultural foods."
Favorite non-academic experience: "As a part of the Theta Gama Chapter of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority, I volunteered as a 'rho gamma,' or recruitment counselor, and mentored and provided support to over 30 young women as they went through sorority recruitment. It was fulfilling to be part of their journey at UD and enrich their experience. I still keep in touch with a few of them now."
What does it mean to you to be a Blue Hen: "Being a Blue Hen means going the extra mile - fully diving into the academic and non-academic opportunities the school provides. UD has many activities that enrich the college experience, and I was so grateful for all the opportunities to get involved and give back to the community."
Stephanie malone
Health Behavior Science major, Exercise Science minor
Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:
Transformative. Collaborative. Engaging.
Why Stephanie chose UD? "I chose UD because of the opportunities I could foresee for my future. The location, academic reputation, campus culture, and research opportunities were major factors in my decision. I chose to major in health behavior science (HBS) because of the broad career opportunities. I enjoyed the fact that with HBS, students go many different paths after graduation. I feel that the academic knowledge acquired in this major equipped me with a versatile skill set, ensuring that I wasn't confined to a narrow set of options post-graduation."
Post-graduation plans: Continuing her education with UD CHS by obtaining her master's in Clinical Exercise Physiology.
How did UD prepare you for your future? "UD taught me how to create a healthy work-life balance that allowed me to study, stay physically active, and spend time with friends. I would not be as successful without the support of my friends from UD. They have truly become my support system; they cheer and check in on me."
Favorite academic experience: "The academic courses I have taken in my time at UD helped me discover the career path I want to pursue. The mentors I have gained along the way in my four years at UD aided me in applying to graduate schools; their guidance was pivotal in that process."
Favorite non-academic experience: Being part of Dr. Greg Dominick's Physical Activity Measurement and Evaluation Research Lab. "I learned a lot about health behavior research, and it gave me many opportunities to learn and grow. Participating in CHS Research and Innovation Day to present our research poster was an opportunity presented to me through working in that lab that pushed me out of my comfort zone."
What does it mean to you to be a Blue Hen: "To me, to be a Blue Hen means being a part of the UD community by embracing traditions and values and upholding UD pride. This involves feeling a sense of belonging and embracing a commitment to academic success, collaboration, and service at UD and beyond."
sarah scotti
Health Behavior Science major with a Health and Disability concentration, Psychology minor
Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:
Valuable. Fun. Memorable.
Why Sarah chose UD? "I wanted to go to a big school, and I loved the campus. I chose the College of Health Sciences because of its renowned reputation for research. I picked my major because I knew I wanted to be an occupational therapist, and health behavior science with a concentration in health and disability seemed like the best major to set me up for success."
Post-graduation plans: Heading to Columbia University to obtain a master's degree in occupational therapy.
How did UD prepare you for your future? "By attending UD, I participated in various experiences and internships and met all the prerequisites to successfully gain acceptance into graduate school."
Favorite academic experience: Studying abroad in Greece.
Favorite non-academic experience: Making lifelong friends.
What does it mean to you to be a Blue Hen: "Being a Blue Hen means putting in your best effort towards your academic and personal goals and knowing you have a whole community and support group there for you."
Emma Jo Szczerba
Health Sciences major with concentration in occupational, Disability Studies minor
Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:
Engaged. Ambitious. Supported.
Why Emma Jo chose UD? "I chose UD because of the accelerated 3+3 Occupational Therapy program at Thomas Jefferson University. I also selected UD because of its beautiful campus, though I never imagined I'd love it as much as I did! I spent countless hours studying on the Green, playing spikeball and soccer, eating food from the restaurants on Main Street, and meeting new people."
Post-graduation plans: Obtaining a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
How did UD prepare you for your future? "UD taught me how to create a healthy work-life balance that allowed me to study, stay physically active, and spend time with friends. I would not be as successful without the support of my friends from UD. They have truly become my support system; they cheer and check in on me."
Favorite academic experience: "I loved Anatomy Lab because we visually saw and learned how different parts of the body work together to allow humans to function and participate in life."
Favorite non-academic experience: "Participating in Club Women's Soccer and the Alpha Delta Pi sorority were my favorite experiences at UD. I was fortunate to be part of both groups and meet many strong and loving people. While the formals and game days were big highlights, my favorite parts of being in those groups were the random little things: going for runs to the reservoir at sunrise with my teammates, unexpectedly showing up to each other's houses, napping on Frazier Field before practice, 'borrowing' each other's clothes, and every conversation I ever had with them."
What does it mean to you to be a Blue Hen: "Being a Blue Hen means being a family. Both my parents and my brother graduated from UD. I have also made many friends at UD who will be my family for the rest of my life."
