Academy Foundation Blog

Ricardo Licona - 2022 Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group Diversity Scholarship Recipient

By Foundation Admin posted 11-25-2022 08:00 AM

  

Ricardo Licona

2022 Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group Diversity Scholarship

Completing a Dietetic Internship at San Diego Women, Infants, and Children Dietetic Internship

“The Dietetics field is diversifying more and more each year to better reflect the patients, clients, and public we serve. As a current WIC Degreed Nutritionist, this Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group Diversity Scholarship couldn't have been a better match. This scholarship will allow me to finish my dietetic internship strong and reflects my commitment to provide pediatric nutrition support to a higher degree and broader scope of practice for my community. It will also open up more opportunities for me to attend additional dietetic events to connect with new colleagues and students.”

How did you learn about the availability of the Foundation scholarship that you received?

I found out about the scholarships from multiple sources: first the Foundation email newsletter; then our San Diego WIC Dietetic Internship program director, Brenda Reynosa, forwarded us the information and reminders; and lastly the Student Scoop e-Newsletter.

What motivated you to apply for a Foundation Scholarship?

I first learned of dietetics scholarship by a fellow colleague who is a couple years my senior and has walked in similar shoes as mine in various aspects. Having earned a couple smaller scholarships from my alma mater and California Nutrition Corps in the last couple years was reassuring and let me know that I had what it takes to win one at a national level. The final push came from the vote in confidence from my instructors and supervisors that wrote my letters of recommendation, and my program director who encouraged our class to apply.

How will the scholarship funds help support your continued success within your educational program?

The monetary support from this scholarship will allow me more time to focus on my internship as it will cover a significant portion of my program costs. This will eliminate the need for me to pick up extra Saturday shifts at work and provide for a better work-life balance that will give me additional headspace and time for my projects, ongoing assignments, and to be fully present at my rotations.

What advice do you have for your colleagues about seeking out and applying for Foundation funding opportunities?

Apply, apply, apply! Review the checklist and webinar early to know what the panel is looking for. Begin brainstorming ideas for the prompt questions ahead of time. Though it is a lengthy application, the funding is well worth the time spent!

Scholarship and Award Application and Timeline Information

All applications and timelines for Foundation funding opportunities are made available electronically within the Foundation’s application portal. Generally, the scholarship applications are available from mid- February to mid-April, most award and grant applications are available from December to February, and fellowship opportunities are posted as they become available.

To ensure you receive all of our Foundation news and announcements, including scholarship, award and grant announcements, subscribe to our Foundation’s weekly Kids Eat Right Monday Message and Foundation News.

With Your Help, We Can Do Even More

Our Foundation is the only charitable organization dedicated exclusively to supporting nutrition and dietetics professionals by empowering them to help consumers live healthier lifestyles. Our Foundation does not receive any portion of member dues and is funded solely by donations. Please consider making a gift today to support our Make It a Million Scholarship Campaign that will help us to award one million dollars in scholarships annually to Academy members, students and dietetic interns at all levels of study.

#FoundationRecipientProfiles​​

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