Kristen Nyampong
2022 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Scholarship
Completing a Didactic Program in Dietetics at Texas Christian University
| “This generous contribution towards my education from the Foundation will help me progress toward becoming a Registered Dietitian. It may sound funny, but at times this goal of mine although essential for many dietetic students feels somewhat distant. With the rising cost of tuition, it's been very hard to envision me as a future Eating Disorder Dietitian. But this goal feels ever more purposeful and promising for my future. I hope to help those among the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities heal from disordered eating and/or eating disorders. With my lived experience and future dietitian credential, I will be able to connect to this niche community based on my identity and purpose. I'm thankful for the ability to contribute to the future of dietetics due to the support in my educational goals.” |
How did you learn about the availability of the Foundation scholarship that you received?
After looking at countless blogs about ways to afford a dietetic internship, I kept reading to apply for the Foundation's scholarships. I looked over the Foundation's scholarship page on the website after information about the next cycle was posted to see the variety of scholarships to which I could potentially qualify. Additionally, during the same time when the new cycle was posted my department recommended students in our dietetic programs to apply for additional funding.
What motivated you to apply for a Foundation Scholarship?
I needed the additional funding for my education and I believed I was a qualified applicant. There are not many Black dietitians and so my identity opened more scholarships for me. Additionally, in the past three years before I applied, I worked hard on adding experience to my resume and gaining experiences to pivot my journey into becoming a dietitian. All of these experiences have also allowed me to visualize my future and goals and see its importance. Moreover, I knew that I had a story that was individual to my own experiences and would be worthy of sharing.
How will the scholarship funds help support your continued success within your educational program?
It's a warm feeling when you know that the finance of your education has been backed by donors and foundations that want to see your success. This understanding helps me work even harder in courses that may feel insurmountable or make me even cause me to negatively ponder my abilities as a student. However, I know that the Foundation saw something in my hopes, dreams, and aspirations. I want to be able to accomplish my goals and one of the main ways I will be able to do so is by putting in the needed labor for the rest of my education. For moments when I feel unworthy, I will remind myself of the people and communities that are rooting for my success.
What advice do you have for your colleagues about seeking out and applying for Foundation funding opportunities?
The first fear to work through is the feelings of inadequacy in you as an individual, student, and in your future aspirations. It is important to know that you are worthy of being chosen against a plethora and number of students. Yet, in order to be chosen, you must see the spark in yourself as an applicant and you need to start conceptualizing your story. We each have a story with individual experiences that set us apart. You need to be able to see the ways those sparks in your story illuminate your dreams. This is the core where donors will want to support you due to your story. Additionally, it's also helpful to work in segmenting your work and academic experiences that allows donors to see your growth. You do not have to be the smartest student to get funding from the Foundation, but rather a student that has truly grown and knows the reasons and causes of that growth.
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.
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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.
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