Tiffany Lehwald

             I have always been interested in healthy eating and nutrition. I grew up eating very well because luckily for me; I had a mother who always prepared healthy meals for us kids growing up. Into my teen years I began being symptomatic for Celiac Disease, which unfortunately six years passed before I was diagnosed.  Ever since I was diagnosed, I have had to be quite diligent about my food choices and become very savvy reading and understanding nutrition labels and ingredients. Cooking has always been a great passion of mine. I love to make meals and share them with everyone! I found it to be a great challenge when I had to learn how to cook all over again going gluten free. I have adapted well and really enjoy helping others who are just coming into a gluten free lifestyle.

                After about five years of gluten free living, I became to feel quite confident in my ability to modify my diet. I was becoming more and more interested in food science and nutrition as I continued to do my own research.  During this time, I was working full time at the hospital laboratory in Greeley at North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC) while doing my pre requisites for nursing at Aims Community College. In addition I was attending classes to become certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to work my way through nursing school. Thank goodness for this experience as an EMT because it helped me realize that nursing was not the right path for me. I then met with faculty at the University of Colorado to explore my options in Dietetics and Nutrition and found myself to be right where I belonged. I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey through the Dietetics program and am looking forward to working in the field as a Dietitian!

                I will be graduating in May 2013 with my Dietetic degree, Bachelors in Science and a second degree in Anthropology, Bachelors of Arts. I have really enjoyed the balance I have acquired through both schools of study. Through Anthropology, I have become interested in different cultures and the barriers that minority populations face in relation to nutrition disparities; either through lack of accessibility or education. I have done independent studies and focused on the growing refugee population in Greeley. In my Medical Anthropology class in 2011, I had the opportunity to present research on the medical implications of the refugee population in the western medical community. I applied as an undergraduate to present at the High Plains of Applied Anthropologists convention and was accepted. It was a great opportunity to raise awareness in our community about our growing refugee population and their needs. I also presented my research for the entire Emergency Department staff at one of our quarterly meetings. I hope to incorporate both degrees in a constructive way to help raise nutrition awareness in communities.

                Another interest of mine is gardening.  I have done studies on the urban transition and focused on the importance of sustainable food sources in a climate that is heavily dependent on industrialized agriculture. The last two years I have been involved with the UNC garden project as well as maintaining my own community garden through the city of Greeley. It has been a great opportunity for me to explore other interests and learn about more ways to incorporate anthropology and nutrition.

                I have worked very hard to balance family, school, and work throughout the last four years.  I am a single parent of a very intelligent and kind ten year old son. Although not the most ideal situation going back to school as a parent, it has been a great opportunity to role model for him. He understands the importance of higher education and knows how hard I have worked to accomplish what I have thus far. I am extremely blessed to have supportive parents who live in the same town as well.  The last two semesters have proved to be a greater challenge as the course load has gotten heavier and the material become more challenging. I still have been successful but due to a family illness last year, I fell short of my own expectations and received a poor final grade in Microbiology. I do plan on retaking the class this summer and getting an A as it will be my only class and I enjoy the material.

                I am a strong and confident person who truly values the relationships with the people in my life.  I feel that I present myself well and I have faith that I can do anything I set my sights on. I value honesty, accountability, trust, dedication and commitment. These are the core values I base my decisions on and what I look for in the people that surround me. I also feel that I have the ability to read people well and understand their behavior. I feel that I am a great candidate for your program because of my life and employment experience.  I am driven, focused and plan to continue to move forward with my career as a dietitian.