Nia Lessard is a nutrition: dietetics major and ecogastronomy dual major from Hudson, New Hampshire.
COLSA: Why did you choose UNH?
Nia Lessard: I chose UNH for multiple reasons, but I didn't come to UNH with nutrition on my mind. When looking at colleges, I originally wanted a large school where there were many opportunities and ways to be involved. As my senior year of high school came to a close, I realized I would end up feeling lost in a large school. A few students I knew were declared at UNH, but I thought didn't want to go to the school where many people from my high school were going.
As a senior looking back, I'm fortunate I chose UNH. I could not think of spending my four years elsewhere. There are so many factors to love about UNH: UNH hockey, Wild E. Cat, Scope concerts, Durham as a college town, and not forgetting experiencing all four seasons!
COLSA: What is your major and what do you love about it?
Nia: My major is nutrition: dietetics. I’m also a dual major in ecogastronomy. I came to UNH undeclared, planning to declare in exercise science. While taking classes toward that major, I wound up taking NUTR 400, which is the introductory nutrition class. I loved the class, and it made me rethink my path. I found the field of dietetics my sophomore year, and I've never looked back.
What I love about nutrition at UNH is the endless opportunities available to become involved. In the nutrition department, there are work opportunities, hands-on clinical experience, volunteering experience, teaching assistant opportunities, study abroad experience, a simulation lab and supportive nutrition faculty.
I am truly thankful I found nutrition here at UNH.
COLSA: What's the best academic experience you've had at UNH?
Nia: The best academic experience I have had at UNH is the class NUTR 560, Introduction to Research in Nutrition. I took the class my sophomore year, and it is by far my favorite class I've taken here at UNH. Taught by Dr. Morrell, this class is all about practicing hands-on experience in nutrition. You learn how to take numerous measurements such as height, weight, bone mineral density, blood pressure and waist circumference, and conduct a blood lipid panel. For the blood lipid panel, you learn how to fingerstick and receive a bloodborne pathogens certification.
One week out of the semester is Health Risk Screening. During this week, the skills you learned were put into action. The students in the class perform the skills they learned during the class on students who are enrolled in the introductory nutrition course, NUTR 400. The opportunity to be introduced to clinical hands-on activity and to apply what I learned was exciting.
COLSA: What's the best experience you've had at UNH outside the classroom/lab?
Nia: Outside the classroom, I have has the amazing opportunity to be a nutrition research assistant under Dr. Morrell for the CHANAS project. CHANAS is the College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey, and its goal is to track and assess the overall health of college students here at UNH.
From this opportunity, I was able to present research at the Undergraduate Research Conference. In both April 2023 and 2024, I presented research concerning eating habits under emotional distress. In April 2024, I won an Award of Excellence for "Relationship Between Eating Habits Under Emotional Distress and Health Outcomes Among College Sophomores." This opportunity helped to expand my professional development and enhance my communication skills, both written and oral.
COLSA: How is UNH preparing you to achieve your goals?
Nia: UNH has provided me with many opportunities to improve my professional development and prepare for my career post-undergrad. The nutrition faculty are amazing and are truly supportive. They are always rooting for me to be able to reach my goals. UNH has a career center that helps with resumes, mock interviews and applications — all of which have been incredible now that I'm in the process of applying to graduate school.
COLSA: What should prospective students know about UNH?
Nia: Whether it is a juggling club, intramural sports or student senate, UNH has so many clubs and opportunities to be involved; there is truly something for everyone.
