Dietetics major Alyssa Blume wants to make sure her fellow students at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point are making healthful food choices both on and off campus. As a student operations manager for Dining and Summer Conferences, she monitors the nutrition, production and sources of food served at DeBot Dining Hall and offers nutrition education programs.
“I enjoy being able to put my dietetics knowledge into practice,” Blume said, “as well as being a healthy voice for students.”
Her outstanding work has earned the Schofield resident the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) Student Employee of the Year Award. She is the second UW-Stevens Point student to win this honor. Dietetics major Kirsten Voss won in 2015.
Blume was honored Monday, May 16, in DeBot Dining Center Room 073, with recognition from a representative from NACUFS as well as Dining and Summer Conferences staff, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Al Thompson and Chancellor Bernie Patterson. [Photo Gallery] She will receive a $5,000 scholarship for the national award and $1,000 scholarship as the Midwest Region finalist. She will also be highlighted on the NACUFS website and at the NACUFS National Conference in Anaheim, Calif., this summer.
During the last two years, Blume has coordinated six “Focus on Food” education programs at DeBot Dining Center. She plans the event, assists in ordering the products and prepares and presents common foods, such as apples and cheese, in new ways and with local food sources.
“I work with caring managers who listen to us and support our ideas,” she said. “Working here has given me more confidence in running programs and communicating with a variety of people, from fellow students to cooking staff, vendors and managers. I’ve learned how food systems work, which will help me in my future career.”
With an interest in using food and nutrition as a way to prevent illness, Blume’s career goals include working in a hospital setting and working with young children.
“I want to focus on making healthy eating options easier for people,” she said.
Through UW-Stevens Point, Blume has had hands-on opportunities within the community. She and her classmates created nutrition education and food preparation programs for children as part of a “Cooking Club” at the Portage County Boys and Girls Club sites. Another class project provided information on women’s nutritional needs for members of the UW-Stevens Point women’s hockey team.
Over the summer, Blume served a NACUFS internship at Montana State University in Bozeman, working in the dining area during an extensive remodel project. She also serves as treasurer of the Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics and helps coordinate a fun run for Dining and Summer Conferences.
After graduating magna cum laude this May, Blume will begin a 10-month dietetics internship with UW-Green Bay, which offers rotations working as a dietitian in hospitals, clinics, schools and community wellness programs. One of three such programs in the state, the competitive internship offers college graduates the experiences required before they can take the registered dietitian exam.
Courtesy of UW-Stevens University Relations and Communication.