Iverson Griffin
Iverson Griffin III came to the University of Kentucky Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition with a goal of becoming a physical therapist. He selected dietetics as his major and in addition to a bachelor’s degree he earned a certificate in nutrition for human performance to prepare for professional school. As a doctoral student in UK’s physical therapy program, Griffin reflects back on his undergraduate days.
“For the certificate in human performance, we learned how nutrition and exercise work hand in hand,” said Griffin. “Being in class with people pursuing different disciplines, such as pharmacy and chiropractic care, promoted the idea of working with an interdisciplinary team. I found this experience in itself to be invaluable, learning how different schools of thought would approach various training protocols with their area of focus.”
Griffin had a chance to implement what he learned from his courses working with UK’s sports dietitian.
“Working in the training room at UK was a great opportunity to shadow a dietitian,” said Griffin. “Talking to the athletes to see what they were interested in and helping them prepare meals was great first-hand experience in communicating with clients.”
When your goals are wildly ambitious, in a community that’s wildly strong, and with a commitment that’s wildly powerful, you’ll see what’s wildly possible.
As a first-generation college student, Griffin found himself in a place where everything is possible and nothing is out of reach, and he talks about the dietetics faculty who were especially impactful during his undergraduate years.
“Dr. Combs and Dr. Stephenson both had major impacts on me as mentors, advisors and professional role models. They both pushed me and asked more of me than I thought I had to give,” said Griffin. “They were accepting of me and were always ready and willing to listen. I wouldn’t have had the same experience without them.”