What internships, clubs, networking, etc. are you involved in and how do they support your goals? “Wellness Center Intern, Vice President at Nutrition Care Club, Success Coach with Rowan Student Success Program, Apart of Cohort 7 in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics.” – Kathleen Ramos, senior transfer student from Brookdale Community College “I don’t participate much […]
nutrition
How to stop being the “Problem Solver”
This article is part of a running series with Rowan University’s Wellness Center. This collaboration aims to educate students about personal well-being options. For further updates, follow @rowanuwellness on social. This story is by Kathleen Ramos, senior nutrition major. As college students, we all have our own personal problems. It could be about that one professor that […]
Overcoming Overthinking: Ways to Cope with Anxious Thinking
This article is part of a running series with Rowan University’s Wellness Center. This collaboration aims to educate students about personal well-being options. For further updates, follow @RowanUWellness on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
Do you ever find yourself in a quiet setting trying to get some work done but there is just a little voice in your head saying a million things at once? Have you ever been told “you are just overthinking it?”
This is a natural emotion for us to feel but it can be a problem if you let it control your life.
Overthinking can attributed by multiple different factors like stress and anxiety but it can be more expansive than what people perceive it to be. For instance, in cases of stressful events, traumatic crises and even precarious decision-making, all of these different ideas can all play factors. Overthinking is something that can happen automatically; It can come from one thought and eventually spiraling down a rabbit hole of negative thinking.
When this is a recurring action, it could be a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or major depression disorder (MDD). People who worry excessively will have difficulty in concentration and ability to function.
With all of that being said, it’s very easy to start how to stop negative thinking! In most cases talking to someone about any problem allows you to gain perception on the situation you’re going through as well as hearing a voice from someone you trust. Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) is very helpful for individuals to identify the problem or emotion.
CBT will assist with reframing negative thoughts and find healthier ways to cope with anxiety. If an individual can’t afford therapy or the time that comes with it, having a support group or person that you can trust to talk about anything with is especially helpful.
Journaling is also a great way if someone doesn’t want to share with someone. It’s a great way to make a list and see the problem in front of your eyes to identify it better. An article called “How To Stop Overthinking” by Health Essentials, suggests setting up a worry period! With this method it gives you an allotted period of time to sit in a quiet place with a 30 minute alarm where you can write all your worries down on a piece of paper.
You’re not going to be able to get through all of your problems which expected; no one is able to chase all their worries away in one sitting. Let it settle and find a different way of dealing with these problems in your next worry session. This is a great way to help someone to attack each worry one by one!
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Story by:
Kathleen Ramos, Senior Nutrition Major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Joseph Conte, Junior Community and Environmental Planning Major
Edited by:
Lucas Taylor, English Education Graduate Student
References
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-stop-overthinking/
Meet Transfer Profs: Marleigh Davis from the School of Nursing and Health Professions
Today we feature incoming transfer student Marleigh Davis (she/her) from Gloucester County. Marleigh tells us about majoring in Nutrition, gives advice to future transfer students, and discusses why she chose to attend Rowan University. Welcome to Rowan! Could you share with us one thing you are looking forward to at Rowan University? I am looking […]
Passing the Torch: Future Public Health Educator Keyanna Meade
After transferring from Monmouth University, Nutrition major Keyanna Meade from Marlton, NJ (Burlington County) found many opportunities at Rowan.
Keyanna enjoyed getting out into the community to do research.
“I joined Dr. Vaughn’s lab in my junior year in the fall semester, and I absolutely loved it. It is a little independent and a little teamwork-based. We meet weekly,” she said. “I think getting involved with research in the community is something different. Everybody knows about research within the lab, but it was nice to do research within the community and for the community. “
Beyond research opportunities at Rowan, Keyanna made connections and found an internship.
“I interned with New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative (NJFDC) over the school year. I just got signed on to a project where we’re going to do a food audit for Atlantic City. Dr. Vaughn reached out to a colleague of hers and recommended me to work with them.“
Keyanna recommends that other students get involved with research where they can.
“If you can do research, definitely do research. Doctor Vaughn is always looking for people to help. Definitely surround yourself with opportunities like internships or a work-study that’s focusing on your majors so that it helps you in the future.”
Keyanna advises her high school senior self to be more involved.
“Make sure you get involved. Make sure you speak to your counselors about different things that you’re interested in. Look at other opportunities that you’re interested in, and even if it’s just like an idea or a little thing, just see where it can take you because you never know what your interest is. It might take you into college and you never know if you might switch your major or decide that you no longer want to do that major. Definitely take advantage of internships and other opportunities.”
In the future, Keyanna would like to be a public health educator.
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Story by:
Rachel Rumsby, junior communication studies and public relations double major
Photos by:
Stephanie Batista, junior business management major
Beyond the Classroom: How Dawn Lombardi Gave a Senior Cat a Forever Home
Dawn Lombardi, a double major in Nutrition and Business Management, shares her experience of working with Rowan’s Office of Accessibility Services to give her new cat his forever home.
Dawn was juggling her responsibilities as a resident assistant and student all by herself. This year, she decided she was ready for a companion that she could take care of. “I felt like I had a lot of love to give and wanted to direct my energy into something good,” she says. “That’s why I adopted Reggie.”
Reginald, Dawn’s cat, is a 12-year-old senior adoptee from Homeward Bound Animal shelter.
“I wanted to adopt a senior cat because they are often overlooked by other families,” Dawn explains. “Usually, people who adopt want a young animal, so senior pets have trouble finding their forever home. I wanted an older cat so I could make its older years the best it’s ever had.”
Before adopting Reginald, Dawn had to go through a thorough ESA (emotional support animal) approval process.
“I looked up the Rowan ESA policy, saw that I qualified, filled out the necessary paperwork, and turned it into the Academic Success Center [now called the Office of Accessibility Services]. The people were very helpful. I worked closely with [staff members] during my process, and [they were] awesome.”
John Woodruff, director of the Office of Accessibility Services, talks about this process in a bit more detail.
“There is an online registration form on our website that students must complete. They are then responsible for working with their healthcare provider to fill out a three-page application form to request an accommodation for an ESA. A dog, cat, lizard, or rabbit are all animals that can be an ESA. After the application is complete, our office shares a link with the student that connects them to a portal where they can upload any documentation necessary (a formal diagnosis, an emergency contact for the desired animal, the breed/name of the animal, etc.),” he says.
Now that he is approved, Reginald is living lavishly in Dawn’s Rowan Boulevard Apartment. “I think the Rowan Boulevard Apartments are really suitable for an ESA. My apartment is a great size and has multiple rooms that he can walk around in.”
Aside from being adorable, Reginald has helped Dawn become a better student. “Reggie wakes me up for breakfast in the morning, so it helps me to get out of bed and get my day started nice and early. With him, I have a reason to get up and be productive,” she says.
Reginald has helped Dawn in more ways than one.
“When I feel overwhelmed with school or anything really, he comes and sits next to me. Just having him there gives me so much comfort. I joke and say that he is an ESA to everyone, too. My friends or residents that come and pay him a visit love him. He makes everyone’s day better.”
“I am really grateful Rowan gives us the option to have an ESA. It makes me feel very supported and valued as a student who is juggling a lot.”
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Story by:
Loredonna Fiore, senior public relations and advertising major
Photos courtesy of:
Dawn Lombardi
Beyond the Classroom: Nutrition Major Keyanna Meade on Her Community-Based Research
Today we feature Keyanna Meade, a senior Nutrition major and transfer student from Burlington Township, NJ (Burlington County). She is part of the Minority Association of Premedical Students MAPS and will be president of Helping Our People Excel through Wellness (H.O.P.E. through Wellness) this year. Keyanna shares her experience as a nutrition research assistant under the direction of Dr. Nicole Vaughn.
Why did you choose Rowan to study your major?
I chose Rowan because it was kind of close to home. After also hearing about all the great programs they had for my major, I decided Rowan was the best place to transfer to prepare me for my future endeavors.
What does everyday life at Rowan look like for you? Can you walk us through a day in your shoes?
My schedule looked pretty similar day to day. I would often start my day by going to work, and then I would come to campus. When coming to campus I would attend class and then typically I would head to the gym. After leaving campus I would usually head home and cook myself something to eat. My day usually ends with completing homework and relaxing.
How did you start your research process? Why did you decide to start research in the nutrition field?
I have always been interested in being part of research and studies that were more community based rather than just conducting research out of a lab. By being a nutrition major, I’ve learned it is important to be educated on topics like, why individuals are food insecure and why certain diseases are more prevalent in certain communities … to name a few.
I was thrilled to find when I was looking on the Rowan Announcer that Dr. Vaughn was looking for a research assistant. I sent over my resume and applied for the position, and that’s how this all started.
Can you talk about what you are researching and why?
This summer I worked on a project that basically created a food system flow chart of all the nutritional programs provided in New Jersey. I was a part of the summer undergraduate research program (SURP), and my day-to-day consisted of a lot of researching, interviewing directors of programs, participants and stakeholders, and I was even part of the funding process.
For the flowchart we used something called Lucidchart. Our chart basically starts off with the Farm Bill, then the USDA, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, and then the bottom of the flow chart is where it reaches the county level and the consumers.
This whole flow chart creation process took about 10 weeks, and we are currently still editing it and sending it over to stakeholders to approve the accuracy.
Can you describe the research methods you have used in the past or are currently using?
One of our data methods is qualitative. We also conduct a lot of interviews for the community-based research we conduct.
What research skills have you acquired during your academic and/or research career?
Throughout this process my communication, critical thinking, writing and leadership skills have definitely improved.
What have you learned so far in your research process?
I have learned a lot through this experience. Specifically, I have learned how important it is to help out in your community and ways that you can give back because a lot of individuals are hungry, starving, homeless … and they are unaware of the programs available to them, so I think it is very important to not only give back to your community, but to spread knowledge on the programs available.
This whole process led me to wanting to get my master’s in Public Health. I want to help more on a community base and a whole population rather than just one individual at a time.
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Story by:
Natalie DePersia, junior public relations major
Photos by:
Stephanie Batista, junior music industries major
Related posts:
#PROFspective: Nutrition and Exercise Science Major Caroline Lippincott
Meet #Rowan2025: Nutrition Major and Future Field Hockey Player Kate O’Boyle
Meet #Rowan2025 student Kate O’Boyle! Kate is an incoming freshman Nutrition major from Manahawkin, NJ (Ocean County). Kate is excited to come to campus next semester and will be joining the Rowan field hockey team.
Welcome to Rowan! Could you share with us one thing you are looking forward in college?
I am most excited for a new chapter in my life! I can’t wait to branch out, meet new people and have more freedom and responsibilities.
What is one hobby, activity, sport or club you were a part of in high school that you’d like to continue in college?
I have been part of the Southern Regional field hockey team since middle school, as well as several club teams. I will be playing on the Rowan field hockey team in fall 2021.
Is there anything you’re hoping to discover about yourself in college? Grow a new skill? Try a new interest? Starting a new activity, sport or club?
I am interested to see how well I can do on my own while being a part of Rowan’s nutrition program and field hockey team.
What majors are you considering and why?
Nutrition because I have always been interested in how one’s diet and activity level will affect their body.
Did you tour Rowan or attend any virtual events? If so, which ones, and what did you think?
I visited Rowan in February of 2020. Coach Andre brought me about campus, and I immediately loved it and knew it was the perfect college for me.
Do you have advice for other high school seniors who haven’t committed to a school yet?
I would say that it is most important to listen to your gut and if you really like the campus and what the college can provide to you, then it is a perfect fit for you!
Where are you going to live next year?
On campus!
What is one thing about Rowan itself that you liked?
I loved that as I visited, I felt a sense of comfort.
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Story by: Bianca Torres, Senior, Music Industry major
7 Students Share Why They Like Magnolia and Chestnut
Two of Rowan’s on-campus residence halls, Magnolia and Chestnut, have a lot to offer. We spoke to a few of the residents to see what they like about living there.
Leena Nesby, a freshman resident at Chestnut, says: “I like Chestnut because the lake is just outside my window, so I like my view. I like that it is really close to Holly [Pointe Commons], which is where my friends and I go to eat a lot of the time. I do like the courtyard, the benches and all the bike racks night there.” Leena is a Nutrition major from Tabernacle, NJ (Burlington County).
Griffin Roughgarden, a freshman Entrepreneurship major from Caldwell, NJ (Essex County), says that Chestnut is a quiet place to sleep, study and live.
Christopher Maestoso, a freshman Exploratory Studies major from Fairfield, NJ (Essex County), says that Chestnut is the perfect temperature once the heat of summer passes.
Amanda Holzlein, a junior Human Resource Management major from Jackson, NJ (Ocean County) and a Resident Assistant at Chestnut, says that it feels like home.
Bryce McMaster, a freshman Explorartory Studies major from Southampton, NJ (Burlington County) and a resident of Magnolia, says that he likes that he only has to share his bathroom with three other residents and that he has his own room, which he really likes.
Andrew Mercurio, a freshman Music Education – Instrumental from Kendall Park, NJ (Middlesex County) and a resident at Magnolia Hall, says he likes that it sits right in the middle of where all his classes are and Rowan Boulevard. He likes that convenience.
Samuel Poku, a freshman Music Industry major from Old Bridge, NJ (Middlesex County), says: “The main reasons why I do like living at Chestnut are because it is a very cozy environment and quiet. Even though it is an older dorm it still has a great the environment with the people in and around it. I like the location, too, because it is between everything and easy to find everything. The Resident Assistants also do a very good job and make sure students are safe.”
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Story and photography by:
Rachel Rumsby, sophomore communication studies and public relations double major and Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major
First student photo courtesy of Lena Nesby
Healthy New Year’s Suggestions from Health-Related Majors
As we finally kiss 2020 goodbye, enjoy this advice from our health-related majors on some New Year’s suggestions that can hopefully make 2021 a better year!
Amanda Murphy, a senior Nutrition major specializing in Exercise Science from Tinton Falls, NJ (Monmouth County) shares a great New Year’s resolution to encourage healthy eating habits. She challenges you to “rely less on convenience foods and more on whole food sources.” Healthy eating is possible on a college campus, you just have to be committed to finding the foods that work for you!
“You only have one life to live – make changes now to help your quality of life later,” says Erica Walsh, a senior Health & Exercise Science major from Somerdale, NJ (Camden County.) She suggests putting your mental health first, getting activity every day and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Heather Tomaselli, a sophomore Nutrition major with an Honors Concentration from Bound Brook, NJ (Somerset County) challenges you to take the stairs rather than the elevator to promote physical health. “The choices we make now determine our long term health!”
“Not only will exercise and a healthy diet improves your physical health, but it will also have a positive impact on your mental health as well.” This advice about the importance of exercise comes from Tyler Weiss, a senior Nutrition major Specialized in Exercise Science from Winfield Park, NJ (Union County.)
Junior Athletic Training major Jocelyn Reuben from Burlington, NJ (Burlington County) doesn’t drink any soda, unless it’s ginger ale for a stomach ache, and she walks everywhere she goes. She shares that, “Making healthy changes can help you see and carry yourself more confidently.”
A few healthy practices that you can try are “Going on walks outside to center yourself, listening to podcasts to motivate and inspire, using art as a form of self-expression.” These are some suggestions from Hannah Holzhauer, a junior from Nutrition major, Dietetics Master Program from Green Township, NJ (Sussex County.)
Although it may be difficult “you simply can’t buy a bottle of soda and label it ‘self-care’ … you need to actually make the decision to upgrade your life, make it your number one mission to become overall happier, more positive than ever and take steps every day to get that result.” so “ leave a toxic relationship, say daily positive affirmations, forgive yourself for past mistakes and try to disconnect from stress by going for a walk.” These are all great suggestions from Krishna Mansukhani, a senior Health Promotion & Wellness Management major with a minor in Psychology Sports, and Exercise from Sayreville, NJ (Middlesex County.)
Danielle Holroyd, a senior Health Promotion and Wellness Management major from Barrington, NJ (Camden County) shares a few ways she stays healthy while in college. She is committed to “eating healthy, exercising, and keeping up with her school work.”
Caroline Lippincott, a senior Nutrition and Exercise Science major from Columbus, NJ (Burlington County) suggests taking daily walks in the new year to promote physical and mental health.
To stay healthy, try to “remember to take breaks. Yes, school is important, but so is mental health.” Brianna De la Cruz, a senior Nutrition and Dietetics major from Hillsborough, NJ (Somerset County) tries to “exercise most days of the week, eat well, and hang out with my roommates to help destress.”
“One small healthy change you can make is taking 10-15 minutes out of your day to meditate. This can help give your mind a break and relieve stress from school and work.” This advice comes from Haley Bencivengo, a sophomore Nutrition major from Hamilton Township, NJ (Mercer County).
A small, healthy change you can try to make in the new year comes from Emily Nicholson, a sophomore Nutrition major from Turnersville, NJ (Gloucester County). “Instead of sugary coffee every morning, try green tea!”
In the new year, try “Spending 30 minutes less on electronics to be outside and enjoy the fresh air! This is good for mental health and can also be beneficial to physical health if you decide to go on a walk or perform any physical activity.” This advice comes from Sal Murphy, a senior Health Promotion & Wellness Management major from Gloucester County, NJ.
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Story by:
Loredonna Fiore, junior public relations and advertising major
Positive Affirmations
This article is part of a running series with Rowan University’s Wellness Center. This collaboration aims to educate students about personal well-being options. For further updates, follow @RowanUWellness on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
Knowing who we are and who we strive to be can be a serious hurdle for many as we enter new stages of adulthood and self-discovery.
Throughout this path, we may find that our expectations of ourselves are challenged, our self esteem wavers, and our abilities are questioned. We may extend ourselves in every direction trying to determine what brings us peace, what helps us feel empowered, and how we can rise above difficult circumstances.
What we miss sometimes though, is the option to turn inward and look to ourselves for help. How? By learning about positive affirmations and how we can incorporate this into our everyday lives.
Whether we are aware of it or not, many are susceptible to negative self talk. When we are feeling low, we may finding ourselves indulging in self sabotage by saying things like “I am not capable of this,” or “I am not deserving of good things.” While it can be easy to fall into these destructive habits, it is also possible to learn and reinforce constructive habits. Practicing positive affirmations has shown that “we keep up a global narrative about ourselves. In this narrative, we are flexible, moral, and capable of adapting to different circumstances.” (Cohen & Sherman, 2014)
An example of a positive affirmations can include “I matter and what I have to offer this world also matters,” and “I breathe in calmness and breathe out nervousness.” When we repeat positive affirmations to ourselves daily, we have the ability to rid ourselves of our self-imposed limits and further propel ourselves toward a greater gratifying life experience.
Our greatest opponent is our own selves. Luckily, we also have the power to be our own greatest ally.
It is natural to go through times of self doubt and stress, so recognizing negative self-talk patterns and combatting them with positive affirmations can become one of our greatest strengths within our mental toolkit.
Being kind and helpful toward ourselves is one of the most crucial components of feeling self worth and inspiration to move forward throughout our journey. By engaging in positive self talk, we can refine our autonomy, feel reassurance in times of stress, and learn that we are nothing less than deserving of love and strength within ourselves and throughout our lives.
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Story by:
Abby Broschard, senior nutrition major, Wellness Center intern
Photography by:
Rachel Rumsby, sophomore public relations and communication studies major
Alyssa Bauer, public relations graduate
Works Cited
100 Positive Affirmations For Mental Health. (2020, July 07). Retrieved from http://www.learningtobefree.com/2020/06/29/positive-affirmations-for-mental-health/
Moore, C. (2020, September 01). Positive Daily Affirmations: Is There Science Behind It? Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/daily-affirmations/
Julia’s Corner: Avoiding the Freshman 15
Recent grad Julia McAleavey shares guidance through this advice column for incoming students. A student with well-rounded experience, Julia earned a bachelor’s in advertising this spring. She transferred to Rowan her sophomore year, after another school wasn’t a great fit. While at Rowan she started as an exploratory studies major, unsure of what to major in. She’s lived both on campus and off campus, held student worker jobs and internships, and participated in clubs and sports.
In high school, you probably could eat anything you wanted and not gain weight. However, you also had your parents cooking well-balanced meals for you every day, if you were lucky. Once you get to college, it’s all on you to manage your own nutrition. I gained the horrifying ‘freshman 15’, because I lost control of my nutrition. Thankfully, I began to practice good habits, and was able to lose it all. Here are some tips to avoid gaining the terrifying freshmen 15 so you won’t have to worry about losing it later.
Explore your options: Between the Marketplace and the Holly Point Cafe, there are tons of healthy options for dining on campus. It’s not all fried 
foods and pizza. You can get a fresh salad or a whole wheat wrap and many other healthy options.
Color your plate: This is a basic, elementary school health strategy, but it really works! Keeping your plate colorful with fruits and vegetables will help you to maintain a healthy diet. The Holly Pointe Cafe has a salad station, as well as fresh fruit, with tons of options to choose from.
Protein>Carbs: Okay, it is important to have some carbohydrates in your diet, but try to stick to healthy carbs most of the time. That slice of pizza and mac n cheese is okay once a week, but try to keep your fruit and whole wheat breads and pastas as your main carb sources. Proteins are substantial and will help you to stay lean and healthy. Have yogurt instead of a bagel at breakfast, and chicken with veggies instead of pizza for dinner. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Keep away from the dessert table: I know, that dessert table is super tempting. It is just sitting there, staring at you, calling your name, but you are strong. Like I said, it’s okay to have it in moderation, but not every day. Assign yourself one day per week to take something from the dessert table. Your body will thank you later.
Use the gym: Rowan has not one, but two gyms on campus with tons of equipment. It is true that abs are made in the kitchen, but working out regularly will still help you to stay healthy and fit. Keeping your body moving is so important to a healthy lifestyle. 
Avoid snacking: When you move in, your parents will probably stock you up with snacks to keep in your dorm. This is all good fun, but try to keep it to healthy snacks. I usually keep one unhealthy snack that I treat myself to on the weekends. That way, I am only consuming it in moderation, and avoid gaining that weight again.
Do not eat past 8 p.m. Try to keep it earlier if you can, but sometimes classes run late. Eating later makes it easier to gain weight, so it is best to avoid doing so as much as possible. The best thing to do is to not eat in bed. If you’re up late studying and need a pick-me-up, keep some trail mix in your room in Ziplock bags. That way, you’re not overindulging. 
While eating on campus, it is important to keep in mind that moderation is key to a balanced diet. Depriving yourself of your favorite junk foods will only lead to overindulging later. Giving yourself reward days during the week to avoid this. It’s all about balance, and if you practice these habits, you’ll have nothing to worry about.
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Story by:
Julia McAleavey, advertising graduate
#PROFspective: Nutrition and Exercise Science Major Caroline Lippincott
Today’s #PROFspective features Caroline Lippincott, a senior majoring in Nutrition and Exercise Science from Columbus, NJ (Burlington County). Caroline, a first-generation college student who lives off campus, transferred to Rowan from Stockton University. How have you gotten involved on campus? I’m proudly a part of organizations such as Theta Phi Alpha and Inter Greek Council […]
From Teacher to Student: Career Change Brings Nutrition and Exercise Science Major Kerry Perez to Rowan
Today we feature adult learner Kerry Perez, a Nutrition and Exercise Science major from Haddonfield, NJ (Camden County). She transferred to Rowan from Camden County College. Kerry shares how she’s made a successful transition from full-time teacher to “nontraditional” student here at Rowan.
Before you pursued your degree here at Rowan, you were an educator. Could you share why you are making a career shift?
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, and that is exactly what I became. I studied elementary education at Bucknell University and graduated in 2002, I took my first teaching job after a yearlong AmeriCorps Volunteer position, right outside Washington D.C and continued this path for the next 11 years. In those years I got a master’s in special education at Rider University and taught in three different schools, moving as my husband made his way through medical school and surgical residency.
I loved teaching both for the rewards personally and professionally. In 2011, my husband and I welcomed our first set of girl twins, Esme and Georgina. With lots of help and support I was able to go back to teaching and continued for three more years until we were blessed with our second set of twins (boy/girl) in 2014. When I left for maternity leave, I had all intentions of returning to this career that I loved. But the reality of having four children under the age 3 and a husband who was now living in Albany, NY (I was in Haddonfield, NJ) completing his fellowship set in hard.
The decision to leave teaching was a hard one; this career had defined me and for a large part was how I valued myself. Thrust in the role of stay-at-home mom, staying on top of the demands of young children, while also not losing one’s identity, is incredibly challenging. I knew that staying home with them was a luxury that many parents do not have, so I also struggled to stay grateful. I continued to remind myself raising these four children to be valuable members of society, to teach them a strong moral compass so that our world would be better off, was truly the most important work that anyone could do.
What inspired you to choose your major?
As my children got older our family was introduced to some mental health issues and young daughter was diagnosed with anxiety at the tender age of six and in addition to therapy, we became educated about the important role of nutrition on mental health. I found myself deeply connecting with the notion that food is our healer, and that through changes to our diet we can positively affect not only our physical health but also our mental health. I could not resist continuing to explore this passion in nutrition and dietetics, and with the gentle nudge and support of my husband a new and scary path began.
I knew that I wanted to return to the work force in some fashion, but I was only ever going to be a teacher, this new path would involve subjects and content I hadn’t studied in over 20 years (actually I had avoided) and even though I had both a bachelor’s of science and a master’s degree I would pretty much be starting from the beginning.
How did the transition go from teaching to learning?
I graduated in the class of 2002 — we didn’t have cell phones, we barely had email. So here I was in 2019 and taking both an online and on-campus class. Canvas, Banner ID, Examity, Google Classroom, and the Cloud were new terms, and the learning curve was steep and quick. As a double hit I was learning how to navigate the world of online learning while also learning content I had avoided, which was science. To top it all off my brain as a 39 year old just didn’t function like my 20-year-old brain, I had mastered the techniques of making a third grader’s lunch while emptying the dishwasher, folding laundry, cooking dinner and kissing boo-boos, but figuring out the potassium and sodium pump or stoichiometry was a different ball game. There may have been tears, a lot of questioning of why I am putting myself through this.
Being a nontraditional student, being almost double the age of many of your peers, being part of classes that you have little recollection of, is intimidating and humbling. My first class I brought notebooks, highlighters and my reading glasses, the rest of the class brought their iPads and cell phones.
The juggling of studying and completing classwork and finding the balance of fulfilling my role as a mom and wife while not feeling guilty about pursuing a new career is challenging. There won’t ever be the right balance: some days the kids overrun all my checklists and some days I’m up early or stay up late to watch yet another YouTube video on calorimetry.
Any parting advice for Rowan students, specifically adult learners or those who are considering going back to school?
It is hard, but we can do hard things.
I remind myself that one day my four children will reach a wall they’d rather not climb. A wall that on the other side leads to opportunities they never dreamed of, I want to be able to tell about the time I, too, met that wall. I desperately wanted to stop and fell many times but I climbed that wall and it was worth it.
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#PROFspective: Nutrition, Exercise Science Major and Aspiring Business Owner Tyler Weiss
Today we feature Tyler Weiss, a Nutrition major with a specialization in Exercise Science. Tyler, a junior from Winfield Park, NJ (Union County), lives on campus.
Why did you choose Rowan?
I chose Rowan because of its size. I felt the community wasn’t too small, so I’d have a lot of opportunities to meet new people, but I wasn’t too big.
How did you know Rowan was the right choice for you?
It was a mix of things. I always knew I wanted to be a personal trainer and eventually own a gym. My friends would always ask me for fitness advice. In high school, I talked to my gym teacher about my passion for fitness and she suggested her alma mater, Rowan University.
What clubs and activities are you involved in on campus?
I work as a personal trainer for the Rec Center. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to train anyone [right now], but typically, I’d be working with a client 2-3 times per week. I’ve also conducted body scans, gym tours, and routine obligations.
What is a topic you learned in class that you applied in your industry?
An important lesson we learn in the program is communicating with clients. Students are used to anatomy and physiology terms, but most people aren’t. I’ve learned methods to explain certain exercises in a way they’ll understand.
How are you keeping in touch with your Rowan friends while at home?
Since being at home, my Rowan friends and I keep in touch by texting.
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Story by:
Alyssa Bauer, public relations graduate
#PROFspective: Dietetics Major Hannah Holzhauer
Meet Hannah Holzhauer, a sophomore dietetics major from Sussex County, NJ who lives on-campus in the Rowan Boulevard Apartments. Hannah is on track for a 5 year master’s program to support her future career in nutrition.
Name: Hannah Holzhauer
Year: Sophomore
Major: Dietetics major (5 year master’s program)
Hometown: Green Township, NJ (Sussex County)
On campus resident or commuter: On-Campus resident in Rowan Boulevard Apartments.
Academic or social clubs you are a part of: I am a member of the Exercise is Medicine Club, Nutrition Care Club, and the Culture in Green Club. I am also in the National Honor Society fraternity Phi Sigma Pi as the scholarship chair.
Why did you choose Rowan University?
“I chose Rowan because it is the perfect fit for me. It is the right distance away from my home; far but not too far. It has a big campus with lots going on, but at the same time, it feels safe and inviting. It is reasonably priced for in-staters like me. The biggest deciding factor, however, was that it offers the field I so badly wanted to study … Nutrition.”
What inspired you to choose your major?
“I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at 7 years old. For most of my life, my body had been at war with itself. I was tired of being a victim to my condition and accepting that my pain, frustration and sadness were inevitable. I knew there had to be some way that I could help myself, but never did I imagine ending up where I am today. After doing extensive research on the impact diet has over disease, I decided to try it out myself. I changed my diet overnight and stuck with it out of hope and pure desperation that it would do some good. It not only did some good, it put me in full remission. This is something no pill, injection, or procedure has ever been able to do for me. I knew from this point on that I had found my purpose; to help others heal their bodies and regain control of their lives.”
How does your field impact the world? What impact would you like to have on the world in your field?
“The field of nutrition is ever-expanding, with new discoveries and research coming out every single day. I am living proof that food is medicine and that what you put into your body matters. If we shift our perception and start treating food more like fuel, we have the potential to improve the wellbeing of our nation and change the way health care is looked at for good.”
Describe for us an experience you’ve shared with a Rowan professor in which you felt like you were working with a visionary in your field.
“One of the best people I have had the pleasure of knowing at Rowan has to be Dr. Leslie Spencer. She teaches the Health Behavior Theory and Counseling class that I am in this semester. Never have I met an educator so dedicated to her work, her students, and the university as her. She is incredibly smart and passionate about health and wellness, which makes being in class with her such a joy. The life skills and personal growth I have attained from her class has turned me into a better human being with a greater understanding of those around me. I have no doubt that the things I have learned from Dr. Spencer will stay with me forever and benefit me in my professional career. I honestly believe that everyone, regardless of what you are studying, should take this course with her. She has so much to teach you.”
Any advice for students interested in Dietetics or any advice in general?
“Nutrition is an exciting field to study with endless career opportunities. The biggest thing when choosing a career path, whether it be Dietetics or something else, is to establish your “why”. If you can’t effortlessly answer why you are studying what you are, then maybe you are not where you are meant to be. Find your why.”
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Story by: Bianca Torres, junior Music Industry major