Ericca Lovegrove

My name is Ericca Lovegrove. I graduated from Grandview Heights High School (just five minutes from OSU campus). In 2004 I decided I wanted a career in nutrition. I attended Columbus State Community College before continuing my education at Ohio State. When I heard about the Coordinated Undergraduate Program in Medical Dietetic, I knew this would be a perfect fit for me. Being part of a coordinated program allows me to get all the education and experience I need to prepare for my career as a Registered Dietitian. The classes are intellectually stimulating and the faculty is very supportive; always encouraging the students. I start my student practice Summer Quarter of 2009 and this program has helped me feel prepared for my future as an RD.

Kristy Klug

My name is Kristy Klug, and I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I knew early on that I wanted to be a buckeye as well as study in a nutrition related field. Once I was accepted into the School of Allied Medical Professions, I was set on majoring in Medical Dietetics. Not only does the program extensively prepare its students to succeed after college, but it provides an amazing variety of real-world experiences, such as internships, incorporated into the curriculum. Furthermore, I get the opportunity to study at one of the top universities, while still feeling like I am part of one big family. The Ohio State University has exceeded my highest expectations from the support and friendliness of the faculty to the welcoming and diverse community that makes up this wonderful experience and life journey - college.

Erica Kalis

Hello, my name is Erica Kalis and I am from Newark, Ohio. I graduated from Lakewood High School in 2004 and started my college career at Kent State University studying biology. I then figured out that Kent wasn’t the right school for me and neither was my chosen major. I looked at Ohio State University and I knew it was the college for me. I then proceeded to look into majors that were nutrition related because I knew that Ohio State was known for their outstanding health related majors and I was very drawn to nutrition in general. I was accepted into Medical Dietetics in the college of Allied Medicine and this moment was the most exciting for me and my family. At the beginning of the program I knew that this was the career that I was meant to embody and I have not changed my mind since. My career goal is to become a registered and licensed dietitian in a hospital setting.

Kellie Gordon

My name is Kellie Gordon. I grew up and have spent most of my life in Hilliard, Ohio. However, within the first 7 years of my life, I had moved 6 different times. I was born in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, and spent a couple years in a few small towns near Sacramento, California. When considering college, I never saw myself staying in Ohio. I felt the need to move again since it had been so long since those early years full of travel and new places. Spending a semester out of state proved to be less enjoyable than I had anticipated, so by the end of my first year in college I was coming home to The Ohio State University.

After a couple quarters testing out various majors including Spanish and photography, I decided that I wanted to follow a long term interest of mine and pursue a degree in nutrition. Fortunately, I came across the Medical Dietetics program in the School of Allied Medical Professions. While I was initially disappointed to learn that I would be facing an additional 4 years on top of the two I had already completed, I could not be more thankful that I decided to go for it in the end. This program has given me a strong science based education, along with countless amazing opportunities for personal growth and incredible friendships. In addition, I have been able to expand on an interest in yoga and alternative health through the Integrative Health and Wellness minor, which correlates beautifully with the Medical Dietetics major. This is a fantastic program with outstanding faculty members that have helped me every step of the way.

Steve Smith

Executive Chef, Food & Beverage Director, Training Consultant, & General Manager on international resort properties with a degree from the Culinary Institute of America; after a personal experience with a severe lifestyle modification including a 70 weight loss started work towards a Bachelor’s degree in dietetics as a non-traditional student with a lot of scholastic ground to make up. I believe we’re at a critical time in our journey as human beings and that dietitians have a crucial role to play in helping shape a future where we all live in harmony – rather than at odds with – our earth context. What and how we eat has direct implications for not only our own health, but the health of the planet whose resources we all share.