Foundation Blog Posts

June 2026 Monthly Message

posted 4 days ago
Looking Ahead to a Bright and Meaningful Year Dear Colleagues and Friends, I am honored and excited to begin my year as Chair of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. The Foundation’s mission has always inspired me because it is rooted in people - students pursuing their dreams, practitioners advancing their work, researchers building evidence, volunteers giving their time, and donors choosing to invest in the future of our profession. As we begin a new membership year, I would like to extend a warm welcome and sincere thanks to our 2026-2027 Academy Foundation Board of Directors. This talented group of leaders brings a wide range of experience, ...

May 2026 Monthly Message

posted 14 days ago
With Gratitude: Reflecting on a Year of Impact Dear Colleagues and Friends, As I close out my year as Chair of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to have served alongside so many dedicated donors, volunteers, partners, and staff who believe deeply in the present and the future of our profession. It has been a meaningful and exciting year for the Foundation - one marked by generosity, growth, and continued investment in the students and professionals who will shape the future of food, nutrition and health. Together, we celebrated tremendous milestones. In the last year, the Foundation provided ...

February 2026 Monthly Message

posted 02-16-2026
We Did It! 🎉The Foundation is excited to share that we have raised $1,078,945 for scholarships through our Make it a Million Scholarship Campaign! 🎉 We are grateful to our donors for their generosity and support for this important initiative. We are thrilled that we have exceeded our goal of $1 million and will be able to help even more deserving students – this year’s scholarship application season reinforced the need and the bright future of our profession. Although we were able to award more than 300 students this year, 2 out of 3 applicants still did not receive a scholarship due to the high need. Together, we are opening doors, creating ...

December 2025 Monthly Message

posted 12-16-2025
2025 Year-in-Review: Reflecting on Impact, Growth, and the Power of Community As we approach the end of 2025, we’re filled with gratitude for the extraordinary impact the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation has made this year. We are proud to have provided nearly $1.6 million in funding for 543 RDNs, NDTRs, and nutrition and dietetics students . This impact is all because of our generous donors, dedicated volunteers, passionate partners, and the vibrant community of nutrition and dietetics professionals who share our mission of advancing our profession and strengthening the health of the public through the power of food and nutrition. Together, ...

August 2025 Monthly Message

posted 08-11-2025
Honoring Legacies, Creating Futures Dear Colleagues and Friends, August is National Make-a-Will Month – a timely opportunity to reflect on the legacy we each hope to leave behind. At the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, we believe one of the most powerful ways to support the future of our profession is through thoughtful planned giving. Our “I WILL Legacy Society” celebrates individuals who have made the meaningful decision to include the Foundation in their estate plans . These visionary gifts provide enduring support for our Foundation – ensuring that future generations of dietetics professionals continue to thrive and can impact the ...

July 2025 Monthly Message

posted 07-07-2025
Let’s Make It a Million—Together This month, I want to take a moment to celebrate and call attention to the incredible generosity of the 1,199 unique donors who have stepped up to support the Make It a Million Scholarship Campaign . Thanks to their commitment, we’ve raised $970,597 – an incredible 97% of the way to our $1 million campaign goal. But we’re not there yet. As a profession of more than 100,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners and students , imagine what we could accomplish if everyone gave just $20 or $25 . We would exceed our goal in no time and ensure that we can award $1 million in scholarships in perpetuity ...

June 2025 Monthly Message

posted 06-02-2025
As the Foundation kicks off a new year, I am thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Foundation’s 2025-2026 Chair. I’d like to welcome our new Board , including both new and returning members, and am looking forward to working with our fantastic group of volunteers that make the Foundation’s work possible. This year brings an opportunity for us to cross the finish line of our Make it a Million campaign – we are so close to our goal of raising $1 million so we can begin giving away $1 million in scholarships to dietetics students. We are currently at just over 96% of our goal, and every dollar counts. Today’s aspiring dietitians face more ...

Julia Rudnicki - NDEP Future Educators Scholarship Recipient

posted 05-02-2025
Julia Rudnicki NDEP Future Educators Scholarship Completing a Didactic Program in Dietetics and Graduate Program at University of Alabama Tuscaloosa “Scholarship award shows that people believe in me. They understand and appreciate my unseen dedication, effort and spirit to keep pursuing my dreams.” How did you learn about the availability of Foundation scholarships and what motivated you to apply? I learned about the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics scholarships from the University of Alabama. Unfortunately, distance students are not eligible for any scholarships that are available for on-campus students. This scholarship is my ...

Juan Carlos Guerrero, MS, CDM, CFPP - Colonel Katharine E. Manchester Scholarship Recipient

posted 04-25-2025
Juan Carlos Guerrero, MS, CDM, CFPP Colonel Katharine E. Manchester Scholarship Completing a Graduate Program (Master's Degree) at Utah State University “Receiving this scholarship is a significant blessing in my educational journey. The path has not been easy, filled with challenges and sacrifices, but this scholarship has brought new hope and motivation. It will help relieve some of the financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my studies and less on the stress of tuition. This opportunity strengthens my belief that hard work and perseverance pay off, and I am incredibly grateful for the Foundation's support. With this scholarship, I ...

Gabriela Proaño, MS, RDN - Commission on Dietetic Registration Doctoral Scholarship Recipient

posted 04-18-2025
Gabriela Proaño, MS, RDN Commission on Dietetic Registration Doctoral Scholarship Completing a Doctoral Program at Florida International University “Receiving this scholarship is truly transformative for my educational journey, as it allows me to continue pursuing a doctoral degree while alleviating the financial burden. With this extra support, I can focus on my research and have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the nutrition and dietetics field, particularly in focusing on improving nutrition outcomes of underserved communities. I am incredibly grateful to the Foundation for its support and will continue to strive for excellence ...

Shae Foudy, BS - Commission on Dietetic Registration Expanding the Reach of Dietetics Scholarship Recipient

posted 04-11-2025
Shae Foudy, BS Commission on Dietetic Registration Expanding the Reach of Dietetics Scholarship Completing a Graduate Program, Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway at University of Hawaii at Manoa “Receiving the 2024 Commission on Dietetic Registration Expanding the Reach of Dietetics Scholarship through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Scholarship Foundation has been life changing. I will be able to use this money to directly impact my education, and for this I am incredibly grateful. Furthermore, being selected as a recipient of one of the Foundations Scholarships is an incredible honor and provides me with confidence going through ...

Taylor Stitt - Dr. Jane White Scholarship Recipient

posted 04-04-2025
Taylor Stitt Dr. Jane White Scholarship Completing a Didactic Program in Dietetics, Dietetic Internship, and Graduate Program at University of Tennessee “Receiving this scholarship has been such an amazing opportunity in continuing with my education. Being a non-traditional grad student with children has been the most challenging, yet rewarding, season of life. With this scholarship, I am able to breathe easier while I continue on my journey. I am so grateful to have been selected!” How did you learn about the availability of Foundation scholarships and what motivated you to apply? I was fortunate to receive the email alert about ...

Enid Keseko, MS, RD - Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation General Scholarship Recipient

posted 03-28-2025
Enid Keseko, MS, RD Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation General Scholarship Completing a Doctoral Program at University of South Carolina “The Foundation’s scholarship is a prestigious honor that will have a profound impact on my career trajectory. Receiving this scholarship not only reaffirms my potential as a budding nutrition researcher but also fuels my passion to excel academically.” How did you learn about the availability of Foundation scholarships and what motivated you to apply? I learned about the Foundation Scholarship from a former recipient who shared their positive experience with me. Additionally, my program ...

Jovan Bloise - Jessie C. Obert Memorial Scholarship Recipient

posted 03-21-2025
Jovan Bloise Jessie C. Obert Memorial Scholarship Completing a Graduate Program at University of New Haven “This scholarship is truly a blessing to me. I'm honored I was chosen and can't thank the committee enough for choosing me for this scholarship. I'm grateful for the donors who are able to give back and help people like myself who just can't do it alone.” How did you learn about the availability of Foundation scholarships and what motivated you to apply? I did some research after I received emails from the academy about them and applied. It was that easy! Describe the financial impact that this scholarship will have on your ...

Ravin Garrett - National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition Scholarship Recipient

posted 03-14-2025
Ravin Garrett National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition Scholarship Completing a Masters + DI at Abilene Christian University- Dallas “Receiving the 2024 National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition Scholarship has been a tremendous honor and a pivotal moment in my educational journey. This scholarship not only affirms my dedication to promoting diversity in dietetics but also provides essential financial support, allowing me to focus on my studies and community work. It inspires me to continue advocating for health equity and cultural competence in nutrition. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity, and I hope ...

Karla Maria Cabrera Lopez - Commission on Dietetic Registration Expanding the Reach of Dietetics Scholarship Recipient

posted 03-07-2025
Karla Maria Cabrera Lopez Commission on Dietetic Registration Expanding the Reach of Dietetics Scholarship Completing a Dietetic Internship and Graduate Program, Komplete Business Dietetic Internship at Middle Tennessee State University “This scholarship is incredibly significant to me as it has come at a crucial time when financial constraints could have derailed my path to becoming a Registered Dietitian, my ultimate goal in the nutrition field. Being selected as a recipient is a great privilege, as it enables me to support my education while fully dedicating my time to supervised practice. Upon completing this program, I am confident in my ...

Brittney Burt, MS - Commission on Dietetic Registration Expanding the Reach of Dietetics: Scholarship for Interns

posted 02-28-2025
Brittney Burt, MS Commission on Dietetic Registration Expanding the Reach of Dietetics: Scholarship for Interns Completing a Dietetic Internship at Diversify Dietetics Internship Program “This scholarship helps to solidify the fact that I am on the right path and that there are people, outside of my circle, rooting for me. Not only does it alleviate stress and worry but, it allows me to be fully immersed into my dietetic internship program. I cannot thank the Foundation enough for believing in me; I am honored to receive this scholarship. I cannot wait to pay it forward by becoming an RD, helping people improve their nutrition and eating habits, ...

February 2025 Monthly Message

posted 02-21-2025
Cultivating Connection In today’s virtual world, staying connected as professionals has never been easier, yet somehow, finding ways to make intentional and meaningful connections can be daunting. Between social media algorithms and overflowing inboxes, it can be easy to let opportunities pass us by. As dietitians, credentialed food and nutrition practitioners, and dietetics students, our ability to meaningfully engage with one another both in person and online, helps strengthen nutrition and dietetics and advance the future of the profession. At the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, we have been hard at work finding new ways to help our donors, ...

Nicolas Puente - Dietetics in Health Care Communities Dietetic Practice Group Board Scholarship

posted 02-14-2025
Nicolas Puente Dietetics in Health Care Communities Dietetic Practice Group Board Scholarship Didactic Program in Dietetics at Purdue University “The Foundation Scholarship will allow me to continue my education in nutrition and allow me to pursue my dream of creating a healthier and happier world. It will allow me to focus on my studies without worrying about whether I can afford my tuition and will allow me the freedom to obtain an education in the field of nutrition through Purdue University.” How did you learn about the availability of the Foundation scholarship that you received? I first heard about the Foundation Scholarship ...

Jordan Michelle Callahan - Texas Association of Local WIC Directors Scholarship

posted 02-07-2025
Jordan Michelle Callahan Texas Association of Local WIC Directors Scholarship Completing a Dietetic Technician Program at Tarrant County College “The Academy Foundation Scholarship Program has given me the ability to pursue a career in dietetics. The ability not just to attend classes, but to find the time to complete volunteer and research projects, as well as give my all at an internship. Financial assistance is truly the most important thing for any student, as this assistance provides the freedom to focus and learn. All of my future accomplishments will be possible by the opportunity the Foundation has given me today. Thank you.” ...