The Washington State Dietetic Association (WSDA) recently awarded Tina Hayashi, a dietetics student at SPU, with an “Outstanding Student” award. The award recognizes Tina’s emerging leadership and achievement as a student in the American Dietetic Association accredited dietetic education program.
Tina, who finished her studies in March, earned a bachelor’s of science degree in food, nutrition, and dietetics, and two minor degrees in sociology and European studies (Spanish). She was a teaching assistant for the medical nutrition therapy course series, and was responsible for tutoring students in class and grading case studies.
Her many experiences outside of the classroom gave her an understanding of the various roles of dietetics professionals. She is a longstanding volunteer at Union Gospel Mission in White Center, and participated in the Bread for the World Hunger Justice Leaders Conference. She received the “New Student Leader of the Year” (2008-09) from the Associated Students of Seattle Pacific. Tina is also a political advocate, supporting the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act and actively encouraging fellow students to do so. Tina is also a key volunteer for the new "Community Kitchen" established this spring at SPU by Assistant Professor of Nutrition Daniela Geleva.
“Tina is an exceptional student, who is thorough, accurate, detail-oriented, say Associate Professor of Family and Consumer Science Gaile Moe. “More important, Tina is committed to living out her Christian faith by alleviating social injustice and food insecurity. She has been such a blessing to all of us.”
Tina was just accepted into the dietetic internship at the University of California San Francisco, and plans to attend graduate school as well. Congratulations, Tina!
Posted: Monday, May 16, 2011