Lindsay Thompson didn鈥檛 plan on being the first. But as the inaugural student in the 鈥檚 (COPH) concentration, she鈥檚 found a new passion and a fresh start.
The aims to prepare students for professional positions helping individuals and groups develop healthy eating habits in order to promote wellness and prevent disease. The curriculum focuses on public health nutrition, diet to prevent disease, nutrition education and nutrition education program development.
Thompson, a second-year MPH student and Tampa native, earned her in public health from the COPH in 2020. Like many of her peers, she joined the Florida Department of Health鈥檚 COVID-19 response team shortly after graduation. By 2022, feeling the weight of burnout, she took a step back from her studies.
That鈥檚 when she stumbled upon something new.
鈥淚 happened to be browsing the MPH website and saw a listing for the community nutrition concentration. It wasn鈥檛 there one day, and then it just appeared,鈥� Thompson said. 鈥淎fter reading the description, I met with to learn more, and I realized this could be the right path for me.鈥�
For Thompson, the field of nutrition was uncharted territory but an exciting one.
鈥淐ommunity nutrition stood out because of its variety,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hether you're working with individual clients or developing nutrition interventions for communities, there are so many ways to make an impact.鈥�
Health access has been a central theme in her public health journey.
鈥淚鈥檝e always been drawn to understanding different communities and cultures and helping them improve their nutrition while respecting cultural traditions,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat education piece is so important.鈥�
Since switching concentrations, Thompson says she鈥檚 found her academic stride. She鈥檚 especially enjoyed working with Wright and , who both teach in the program.
鈥淚n Dr. Gray鈥檚 nutrition education programs class, I got to design my own intervention. It was a great hands-on experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淏oth professors were also incredibly supportive when I was impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton. I always felt like I could go to them for help.鈥�
Thompson suspected early on that she might be the only student enrolled in the new concentration鈥攁nd she was right.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not something that happens every day, so it鈥檚 kind of cool,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow there鈥檚 another student enrolled, and we鈥檝e had a few classes together. Sometimes we鈥檙e the only two students in the room. It makes for a pretty unique experience.鈥�
Looking ahead, Thompson hopes to return to the health department and combine her interests in community nutrition and maternal and child health.
鈥淔ood is such a central part of life and I want to help ensure everyone, no matter their circumstances, has access to proper nutrition,鈥� she said.
Though her MPH journey has included detours and challenges, Thompson is proud of where it鈥檚 taken her.
鈥淏eing the first student in this concentration is a fun experience, and I鈥檒l also be the first person in my immediate family to earn a master鈥檚 degree,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t hasn鈥檛 always been easy, but it鈥檚 been worth it.鈥�
Her advice to others?
鈥淕o for it. The content is invaluable and you鈥檒l gain insights that apply far beyond the classroom,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helped me grow, both professionally and personally.鈥�