Shana Petit of East Longmeadow Earns Prestigious Award

(April 26, 2021 – West Hartford, CT) - East Longmeadow resident Shana Petit, who received her Undergraduate (2019) and Masters (2021) degrees in Nutrition from University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT, was awarded the Connecticut Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Outstanding Student in a Dietetic Internship Award for 2021.

As a part-time student at the University of Saint Joseph, Shana juggled her professional goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian with working full-time while also a busy a mother of two with a third on the way.

“My interest in nutrition began when my first child developed food allergies,” recalled Shana. “Researching food allergies and nutrition was an interest of mine and prompted me to investigate a career change.”

While in the USJ Didactic Program in Dietetics, she learned about the combined Nutrition, M.S. (Online), and Dietetic Internship Certificate (fulfill the required 1200 hours of supervised practice experience). The combined MS/DI provides in-depth knowledge and skills in areas required to meet current health and wellness needs while allowing the students to enroll in the Masters in Nutrition program and Dietetic Internship simultaneously.

Shana credits all the faculty in the department for helping her succeed, especially the director of the Dietetic Internship, Michelle Mackenzie MS, RDN. Melissa Brown, Ph.D., RD, Director of the Combined MS/DI Graduate Program, was also instrumental in her success and provided guidance during her research project “Intervention Strategies for Picky Eaters.”

Shana’s leadership among her colleagues and achievements as a student earned her the competitive award that she is honored to receive.

“As a student, it is humbling to be recognized for an award achieved by hard work. So many of my classmates have also worked exceptionally hard amongst a very challenging year.”

Those interested in a fulfilling career in Nutrition can click here to review the degrees and certificates in the Nutrition and Public Health department at the University of Saint Joseph.

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The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) offers a wide range of coeducational undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs that combine a professional and liberal arts education with opportunities for mentored research, community service, clinical field work, and internships. Programs are taught on the University’s two campuses in West Hartford and Hartford, Connecticut; at off-campus locations throughout the state; and online. Founded in 1932 by the Sisters of Mercy, the University of Saint Joseph offers degrees with value and values. To learn more, view our website at www.usj.edu