Public Health Nutrition MPH student Chelsie Todd has earned the Colonel Frances G. Ballentine Scholarship from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. Todd, a registered dietician nutritionist, is receiving the scholarship for her pursuits and interest in dietetics.

“I have a million interest areas within public health nutrition, but my current interests include maternal and child nutrition, the impact of gastrointestinal health on mental health and chronic disease status, and nutrition outcomes related to our neighborhood and built environments,” says Todd. “All of these subjects involve a complex system of events or processes that interact with each other to affect public health.”

Todd says the scholarship will reduce her out-of-pocket tuition cost.

“I have a part-time income, but this scholarship allows me to focus more on classes and community involvement as opposed to finances,” says Todd.

After graduation, Todd plans to use both her public health and nutrition credentials to work with human service organizations at the local public health level. Eventually, she intends to earn a PhD to move into education and research.