Q: Why did you choose Mizzou?
A: I chose Mizzou because of its perfect balance between academic excellence and a welcoming community. The close proximity between campus and downtown allows for easy access to the larger Columbia community, while still offering the peaceful, close-knit atmosphere of the campus itself. Additionally, the Coordinated Program in Dietetics stood out to me for its comprehensive, hands-on approach, providing the ideal foundation for my career. Most importantly, the people I’ve met here have made me feel at home right from the start, creating a supportive environment where I can grow both personally and professionally.

Q: What inspired you to pursue your degree at Mizzou?
A: I have always been passionate about nutrition and working with people, so finding out about Mizzou’s Coordinated Program in Dietetics seemed perfect for me. The coordinated master’s program provides students with hands-on training and experience, including 1,000 hours of supervised practice and a graduate degree at an accelerated pace.

Q: How do you identify within the Native American community?
A: I identify with the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, also known as the Meskwaki Nation. I am a third-generation Native American, so both of my grandparents were born and raised on tribal lands in Iowa. Though my family lives in Missouri, we have always made it a point to stay close to this part of our culture. 

Q: How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
A: My family has instilled in me a great sense of pride and appreciation for Native American culture and history. Along with this, I was also taught the values of respect for nature, family, and spirituality that are central to my culture and guide my daily actions and decisions. Growing up with Native American roots has also taught me to appreciate the strength of my ancestors, who endured immense challenges and yet maintained a rich cultural identity. I am also heavily motivated to advocate for Native American voices and issues, as I understand the importance of preserving our traditions while navigating the modern world.

Q: Does your family have any traditions that are especially important to you?
A: Once a year, in August, the Meskwaki Nation hosts a Powwow. This has always been an especially important celebration to me and my family because it is a time when we all are able to get together and celebrate our culture and tradition through dance, music, and socializing. Additionally, it is a tradition within our tribe that when you have a baby, the child is taken to an elder and given a traditional Meskwaki name based on what is seen for them and their future. I have received my name and I am excited to continue this tradition with my family in the future.

Q: What does National Native American Heritage Month mean to you?
A: Native American Heritage Month, to me, is a reminder to celebrate of the rich history of Native Americans and long-lasting impacts that my ancestors made on the world today, without ignoring the hardships that they endured along the way.