Graduate Student Spotlight | Kailyn Harris

I grew up attending Frederick County Public Schools. After graduating, I went to Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, where I studied nutritional science. Upon receiving my bachelor’s degree, I enrolled at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. There, I pursued some master’s-level education and gained experience through multiple dietetic internships. I later transferred to Hood College to complete my education.

I was drawn to Hood College for its strong emphasis on community, which creates an environment where I know I’ll thrive. Additionally, I have a family connection to Hood because both my parents graduated from Hood, my aunt graduated from Hood and my dad even teaches here.

My own journey to heal my relationship with food sparked my fascination with nutrition. I’ve always loved food and everything about it. My goal is to become a registered dietitian specializing in eating disorders in pediatric patients. I became even more motivated to enter this field when I discovered that only about 3% of dietitians in the U.S. are Black or African-American.

When my program director, Joanna Eaton, shared the opportunity, I was immediately interested. I’m always eager to volunteer and contribute to my community, so this felt like a great fit.

I worked alongside Katie Fields, a registered dietitian, helping patients understand their blood glucose test results as part of our efforts in diabetes prevention.

I think it went really well! It was busy, which means we had a great turnout. I saw a diverse group of people and many different booths offering a variety of services. It was good to see how many people were helped by all the volunteers.

Absolutely! My advice is to stick with it, even when things get challenging. Nutrition has been a rewarding field, and you have the power to make a real difference in people’s lives. Your unique perspective is needed now more than ever in healthcare, and the need for compassionate, skilled professionals like you is only going to grow. Stay passionate, keep learning and remember that your hard work will truly pay off.

I am a proud plant parent, and my favorite plant that I have is my Pilea Peperomioides.

Inspired by Kailyn’s journey as a student in our nutrition science program? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, such as nutrition science, by clicking here.