Scholarships & Fellowships
Breeding-Smith Edge Leadership in Dietetics Scholarship
The Breeding-Smith Edge Leadership in Dietetics Scholarship is awarded annually to graduate students in the Accelerated Coordinated Program (ACP) in Dietetics who are set to begin their Supervised Professional Practice (SPP) in the upcoming January.
This prestigious scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and entrepreneurial potential within the field of dietetics.
Generously funded by alumni Marianne Smith Edge and Carolyn Breeding, the scholarship aims to support the next generation of leaders in the profession.
Scholarship Details
Award Amount: $2,000 to $3,500
Number of Awards: Up to 3 students annually
Award Timing: Scholarship funds will be transferred during the spring semester of the student’s Supervised Professional Practice.
Eligibility: Eligible students will be notified annually in July with information about their eligibility and the application process.
Breeding-Smith Edge Scholarship Recipients
Hunter Hardin
Hunter Hardin is a graduate student pursuing a master’s in Nutrition and Food Systems at the University of Kentucky. As a Kentucky resident, Hunter is committed to improving access to nutrition for underserved communities. With aspirations to become a registered dietitian, Hunter aims to apply his knowledge to rural underserved populations, with a particular focus on weight management and diabetes care, facing barriers to adequate nutrition. Awarded both the Gatton Foundation Scholarship and the Breeding-Smith Edge Leadership in Dietetics Scholarship, Hunter has demonstrated leadership and entrepreneurial potential through his work in community programs such as Campus Kitchen, along with personal business endeavors. These scholarships acknowledge Hunter’s commitment to improving nutrition and tackling the specific obstacles faced by these populations. These scholarships recognize Hunter’s dedication to improving nutrition through innovative approaches and addressing the unique challenges within healthcare systems. Hunter plans to continue advocating for equitable access to nutrition and healthcare while sharpening his expertise in the dietetics field.
Gabby Rodriguez
Gabby Rodriguez is a dedicated graduate student at the University of Kentucky, where she is pursuing her master’s in Nutrition and Food Systems through the Accelerated Coordinated Program. A native of Frankfort, Kentucky, she previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Berea College. Gabby is passionate about reducing health disparities, particularly in Hispanic and underserved communities. Her leadership experience as a community health worker for the Hispanic community and as a graduate teaching assistant has strengthened her ability to educate and advocate for improved nutrition access. She is committed to developing innovative approaches that empower individuals and promote healthy dietary choices. Upon completing her dietetic internship in August 2025, Gabby plans to become a registered dietitian, using her skills to create lasting, positive change.
Kaitlyn Sabin
Kaitlyn Sabin is a graduate student working on her master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Systems as well as currently completing her dietetic internship rotations. She is set to graduate in August of 2025 with the hopes of earning her registered dietitian (RD) credentials shortly after. She plans to pursue a career as a registered dietitian with a focus in either performance nutrition, agriculture or school nutrition. Additionally, this semester she is a DHN 212 graduate teaching assistant for Dr. Tammy Stephenson. After completing her master’s degree and her dietetic internship, she will be moving back home to Ohio and studying for her RD board exam.
The Bill Gatton Foundation Dietetics Scholarship Fund
The Bill Gatton Foundation Dietetics Scholarship is awarded annually to graduate students in the Accelerated Coordinated Program (ACP) in Dietetics who are set to begin their Supervised Professional Practice (SPP) in the upcoming January.
This distinguished award is made possible by the Bill Gatton Foundation, which honors the life and legacy of Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton and is dedicated to expanding patient outreach and education through workforce development. The Bill Gatton Foundation Dietetics Scholarship supports students in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment who aspire to become registered dietitians and/or diabetes educators. It aims to contribute to a workforce committed to helping individuals with diabetes effectively manage their disease.
Scholarship Details
Award Amount: $10,000
Number of Awards: Up to 10 students annually
Award Timing: Scholarship funds will be transferred during the spring semester and summer session of the student’s Supervised Professional Practice.
Eligibility: Students must meet the following criteria:
- Kentucky resident
- Actively pursuing their M.S. in Nutrition and Food Systems
- Intent to pursue RD licensure
- Interest in diabetes care
- Preference for working with rural/underserved populations
Eligible students will be notified annually with information about their eligibility and the application process.
Gatton Foundation Scholars
Grace Cates
Grace Cates is a student in the Accelerated Coordinated Program at the University of Kentucky pursuing her master’s in Nutrition and Food Systems. Being from the small town of Clarkson, Kentucky, she has seen firsthand how necessary it is to provide care and education to areas where access is limited. Her career aspirations include attending medical school to become a primary care physician after attaining licensure as a registered dietitian. She believes it is important to incorporate her knowledge of dietetics into her practice as a physician to aid in her patients’ understanding of how nutrition impacts their health. Furthermore, she will return to Clarkson to provide primary care in the area with a focus on chronic disease management and prevention. She feels passionately about being able to provide medical as well as nutritional care to her future patients by noticing scopes of health that are often overlooked.
Hunter Hardin
Hunter Hardin is a graduate student pursuing a master’s in Nutrition and Food Systems at the University of Kentucky. As a Kentucky resident, Hunter is committed to improving access to nutrition for underserved communities. With aspirations to become a registered dietitian, Hunter aims to apply his knowledge to rural underserved populations, with a particular focus on weight management and diabetes care, facing barriers to adequate nutrition. Awarded both the Gatton Foundation Scholarship and the Breeding-Smith Edge Leadership in Dietetics Scholarship, Hunter has demonstrated leadership and entrepreneurial potential through his work in community programs such as Campus Kitchen, along with personal business endeavors. These scholarships acknowledge Hunter’s commitment to improving nutrition and tackling the specific obstacles faced by these populations. These scholarships recognize Hunter’s dedication to improving nutrition through innovative approaches and addressing the unique challenges within healthcare systems. Hunter plans to continue advocating for equitable access to nutrition and healthcare while sharpening his expertise in the dietetics field.
Samantha Reyes
Samantha Reyes is a graduate student from Louisville, Kentucky. She recently graduated with a B.S. in Dietetics and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Nutrition and Food Systems at the University of Kentucky. She is passionate about nutrition education, food justice and addressing nutritional disparities within her Kentucky community. During her time at UK, she served as a teaching assistant, leading a Quantity Food Production Lab, and she has gained valuable experience in the restaurant industry, community education and research presentations. Samantha's decision to pursue dietetics stems from her unwavering commitment to enhancing food access and promoting healthier communities to underserved and rural areas. She believes that every human should have access to nutritious foods and education about the benefits food can harbor. Her goal is to bridge the gap between nutrition and preventative healthcare. She anticipates pursuing a path to obtain her RD credentials by the end of 2025.
Gabby Rodriguez
Gabby Rodriguez is a dedicated graduate student at the University of Kentucky, where she is pursuing her master’s in Nutrition and Food Systems through the Accelerated Coordinated Program. A native of Frankfort, Kentucky, she previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Berea College. Gabby is passionate about reducing health disparities, particularly in Hispanic and underserved communities. Her leadership experience as a community health worker for the Hispanic community and as a graduate teaching assistant has strengthened her ability to educate and advocate for improved nutrition access. She is committed to developing innovative approaches that empower individuals and promote healthy dietary choices. Upon completing her dietetic internship in August 2025, Gabby plans to become a registered dietitian, using her skills to create lasting, positive change.
Courtney Rogers
Courtney Rogers is an Accelerated Coordinated Program student obtaining her master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Systems at the University of Kentucky. She was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, and hopes to stay in the Bluegrass State upon graduation. She loves to cook and try new recipes with an emphasis on using produce that is in season. Her hobbies include reading, going for walks and spending time with her rescue cat, Lola. Courtney has an interest in working with Kentucky Cooperative Extension to help serve underserved communities around the state. One of the missions of Cooperative Extension is building the health and wellbeing of Kentuckians and improving overall quality of life. She hopes to be a part of this important work and do her best to ensure the communities she interacts with have positive and fulfilling experiences. Courtney is excited to begin the next chapter of her dietetic journey in her internship and grow into a knowledgeable and well-rounded dietitian.
Olivia Schweitzer
Olivia Schweitzer graduated in 2024 with a B.S. in Dietetics and will graduate with her master’s in Human Nutrition and Food Systems in May 2025. She is currently completing her seven-month internship and plans to take the RD exam next fall. As a future dietitian, Olivia’s main goal for her career is to help her patients develop a healthy relationship with food and aid in the process of creating and maintaining a proper diet that fits each individual patient's needs. Olivia is interested in contributing to diabetes prevention through weight management counseling and spreading awareness as well as education resources to the state of Kentucky. She believes that increasing education about weight management and the development of diabetes is extremely important in our state due to the growing obesity epidemic and the large prevalence of diabetes cases. Additionally, she believes all dietitians should have a passion for helping patients experiencing food insecurity and providing resources. This is especially important for Kentucky dietitians where 14.7% of households are labeled as food insecure.
Emily Smith
Emily Smith is a graduate student completing a Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems and a dietetic internship through the Accelerated Coordinated Program at the University of Kentucky. She graduated in May of 2024 from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics. Emily is expected to finish her internship and graduate in August of 2025. Shortly after graduation, she plans to take the RD exam, with hopes of beginning her career as a registered dietitian. Currently, she has a strong interest in working with those who have been diagnosed with chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Emily is from Harlan, Kentucky, a rural area in Eastern Kentucky. This allows her to better recognize the significance of providing healthcare for and working with underserved, rural populations. Emily hopes to give back to her community, and others that face similar difficulties, throughout her career as a registered dietitian.
Madeline Smith
Madeline Smith is a graduate student at the University of Kentucky, pursuing a master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Systems. She is also currently completing her dietetic internship, on the way to becoming a registered dietitian. She is passionate about using food as medicine and preventing nutrition-related diseases before they become a problem. In her future career, she plans to share this passion with patients, healthcare workers and surrounding communities. She believes nutrition education will play a key role in this, as it is so often overlooked, especially in underserved communities. In addition, Madeline hopes to be a constant advocate for the importance of dietitians and the role they play in the healthcare system and beyond.
Sydni Stasie
Sydni Stasie has been a resident of Kentucky for her entire life. She just completed her bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and is now a master’s student at the University of Kentucky pursuing her Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems. She is currently in her dietetic internship where she plans to pursue her registered dietitian licensure. Her ideal job is working in an outpatient facility where she can develop relationships and assist a multitude of patients experiencing different health-related conditions such as diabetes. She is looking forward to her dietetic internship rotation at Norton’s Outpatient Diabetes Clinic where she can learn more about caring for individuals who have diabetes and use her nutrition background to help provide the best possible care.
Marena Warta
Marena Warta is a Kentucky resident who recently graduated with a B.A. in Biology and a B.S. in Dietetics. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Nutrition and Food Systems as well as her dietetic internship in hopes to pursue RD licensure. While in college, Marena obtained her State Registered Nurse Aid (SRNA) license in order to work in a hospital and gain knowledge outside the classroom setting. Through her work as a nursing care technician in the University of Kentucky’s Emergency Department, she has developed an interest in serving rural/underserved populations and patients who have diabetes. She saw how the social determinants of health and lack of personalized, culturally competent patient education affected these patients; therefore, she wants to dedicate her career to bridging the gap to improve patient outcomes.
Buster and Killpatrick Fellowship Funding
This funding, made possible through the John I. and Patricia J. Buster Endowment Fund and the Alice P. Killpatrick Endowed Fellowship, is available to students pursuing an M.S. in Nutrition and Food Systems with the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition. Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply:
- Full-time M.S. in Nutrition & Food Systems student during the semester for which they are applying (at least 9 credit hours of coursework). This includes Accelerated Coordinated Program students completing dietetic internship coursework.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
*For the Killpatrick Fellowship – preference is given to students who have included at least two semesters of college-level foreign language or have tested and documentation of achieving the equivalent of two semesters of foreign language study in their academic career.
There will be application cycles in both the fall and spring semesters. Graduate students will be notified when applications are open via email to their university email address.
The amount of funding is variable with an expected range of approximately $1,000-$2,000 per awardee.
Buster and Killpatrick Fellows
Buster Fellowship
Johanna Poysti
Johanna Poysti is a graduate student at the University of Kentucky. Her major is in Nutrition and Food Systems, and she will graduate in May of 2025. Her hometown is Espoo, Finland, and she has spent many years of her life moving between the United States and Finland.
Her areas of interest in Dietetics are private practice and long-term care. Moreover, she is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, and in her leisure time she enjoys hiking, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Lucy Shuler
Lucy Shuler is a graduate student at the University of Kentucky in the Accelerated Coordinated Program. She recently earned her bachelor's in Dietetics and is now completing her master’s in Nutrition and Food Systems. She started her dietetic internship in January where she is eager to apply her knowledge in real-world settings. Passionate about nutrition’s impact on physical and mental well-being, she is driven to build a successful career in dietetics.
Lucy is passionate about community wellness and nutrition education. For the past two years, she has worked at a group fitness studio, where she discovered a passion for motivating others to reach their full potential. She is also interested in the intersection of nutrition and disease prevention, aiming to make a meaningful impact through evidence-based practice. Excited for the opportunities ahead, Lucy looks forward to the challenges and growth of her internship and making her mark in the field of dietetics.
Taryn Thomas
Taryn Thomas is a graduate student in the Accelerated Coordinated Program through the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition. Taryn is currently completing the dietetic internship and working toward passing the RD exam by the end of the year. She is honored to be a recipient of this fellowship and the financial aid it provides.
Taryn has a strong interest in the clinical side of dietetics with a focus on women’s health and obesity/weight management. She is passionate about helping individuals achieve healthier lives through tailored nutritional care and evidence-based strategies. She believes that food is medicine and plays a critical role in disease states. Additionally, she will be presenting her evidence-based project on vitamin D levels in women with PCOS at this year’s KAND Annual Nutrition Conference and Expo.
Killpatrick Fellowship
Grace Cates
Grace Cates is a student in the Accelerated Coordinated Program at the University of Kentucky pursuing her master’s in Nutrition and Food Systems. Being from the small town of Clarkson, Kentucky, she has seen firsthand how necessary it is to provide care and education to areas where access is limited. Her career aspirations include attending medical school to become a primary care physician after attaining licensure as a registered dietitian.
She believes it is important to incorporate her knowledge of dietetics into her practice as a physician to aid in her patients’ understanding of how nutrition impacts their health. Furthermore, she will return to Clarkson to provide primary care in the area with a focus on chronic disease management and prevention. She feels passionately about being able to provide medical as well as nutritional care to her future patients by noticing scopes of health that are often overlooked.
Samantha Reyes
Samantha Reyes is a graduate student from Louisville, Kentucky. She recently graduated with a B.S. in Dietetics and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Nutrition and Food Systems at the University of Kentucky. She is passionate about nutrition education, food justice and addressing nutritional disparities within her Kentucky community. During her time at UK, she served as a teaching assistant, leading a Quantity Food Production Lab, and she has gained valuable experience in the restaurant industry, community education and research presentations.
Samantha's decision to pursue dietetics stems from her unwavering commitment to enhancing food access and promoting healthier communities to underserved and rural areas. She believes that every human should have access to nutritious foods and education about the benefits food can harbor. Her goal is to bridge the gap between nutrition and preventative healthcare. She anticipates pursuing a path to obtain her RD credentials by the end of 2025.
Gabby Rodriguez
Gabby Rodriguez is a dedicated graduate student at the University of Kentucky, where she is pursuing her master’s in Nutrition and Food Systems through the Accelerated Coordinated Program. A native of Frankfort, Kentucky, she previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Berea College. Gabby is currently completing her dietetic internship, a supervised practice program that provides hands-on experience in clinical, community and food service nutrition.
Upon graduation in August 2025, Gabby will take the RD exam in hopes of becoming a registered dietitian. Gabby is passionate about reducing health disparities, particularly in Hispanic and underserved communities. As a dietitian, Gabby hopes to bridge the gap in nutrition education and accessibility by providing culturally inclusive, evidence-based guidance.
Courtney Rogers
Courtney Rogers is an Accelerated Coordinated Program student obtaining her master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Systems at the University of Kentucky. She was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, and hopes to stay in the Bluegrass State upon graduation. She loves to cook and try new recipes with an emphasis on using produce that is in season. Her hobbies include reading, going for walks and spending time with her rescue cat, Lola.
While Courtney doesn’t know which area of dietetics she wants to work in yet, she is excited to continue in her internship and learn more about different roles dietitians can play. Upon graduation, Courtney plans to take the RD exam and become a knowledgeable and well-rounded dietitian.
Kaitlyn Sabin
Kaitlyn Sabin is a graduate student working on her master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Systems as well as currently completing her dietetic internship rotations. She is set to graduate in August of 2025 with the hopes of earning her RD credentials shortly after. She plans to pursue a career as a registered dietitian with a focus in either performance nutrition, agriculture or school nutrition.
Additionally, this semester she is a DHN 212 graduate teaching assistant for Dr. Stephenson. After completing her master’s degree and her dietetic internship, she will be moving back home to Ohio and studying for her RD board exam.
Olivia Schweitzer
Olivia Schweitzer is a member of the dietetics Accelerated Coordinated Program at UK and graduated in 2024 with a B.S. in Dietetics and a minor in Psychology. She will graduate with her master’s in Human Nutrition and Food Systems in May 2025, and plans to take the RD exam next fall. Olivia has wanted a career in nutrition since she was 15 years old and has major interests in both long-term nutrition care with neurodegenerative diseases and working with patients diagnosed with eating disorders.
Olivia is currently completing her seven-month internship and is excited to explore these interests and see where she wants to start her career. As a future dietitian, Olivia’s main goal for her career is to help patients develop a healthy relationship with food and aid in the process of creating and maintaining a proper diet that fits each individual patient's needs. Additionally, Olivia believes all dietitians should have a passion for helping patients receive proper nutritional advice and obtain the necessary resources to have control of their health.
Emily Smith
Emily Smith is a graduate student from Harlan, Kentucky. She is currently completing a Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems and dietetic internship through the Accelerated Coordinated Program. She graduated in May of 2024 from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics.
Emily is expected to finish her internship and graduate in August of 2025. Shortly after graduation, she plans to take the RD exam, with hopes of beginning her career as a registered dietitian. Currently, Emily desires to work in a clinical setting, as she is passionate about helping those who have chronic conditions improve their diagnoses and quality of life through nutrition.
Madeline Smith
Madeline Smith is a graduate student at the University of Kentucky, pursuing a master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Systems. She is also currently completing her dietetic internship, on the way to becoming a registered dietitian.
She is passionate about using food as medicine and preventing nutrition-related diseases before they become a problem. In her future career as a dietitian, she plans to share this passion with those around her and prioritize the health of everyone she works with. Madeline also hopes to use her voice to advocate for the importance of dietitians in the world of healthcare and beyond.
Marena Warta
Marena Warta graduated in May of 2024 from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics. She currently is in grad school obtaining a master's in Nutrition and Food Systems as well as getting a graduate certificate in Child Welfare Practice. In addition to obtaining her master’s degree, she is also completing her dietetic internship at Norton Children’s, Norton Healthcare and Hardin County Public Schools.
Marena aspires to go to Physician Assistant school after becoming a dietitian to treat patients on both a medical and nutritional level. Though she is not from rural Kentucky or Kentucky at all, she has grown a passion for rural Kentucky whilst in undergrad when learning about the health disparities that impact these areas.
Connect With Us
Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition
204 Funkhouser Building
Lexington, KY 40506
859-257-3800
dhn@uky.edu
