Nick Eppley

Senior nutritional sciences student Nick Eppley has focused his studies around his passion for performance, wellness, and the power of nutrition. Now, in his final year as an undergraduate student, he is completing his undergraduate studies and transitioning into our Integrated Undergraduate–Graduate (IUG) Master of Professional Studies program, where he will graduate with both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in just five years. In addition to his degrees in nutritional sciences, Nick is also pursuing a minor in kinesiology to build a foundation in performance nutrition.

Nick’s interest in nutritional sciences and performance nutrition stems from his experience as an athlete throughout his childhood. 

“Growing up playing sports, I loved the connection between proper fueling and the performance it gave me,” Nick said. “As I got older, I knew I wanted to keep learning about how to feel and perform better through food and help others do the same.”

That interest has guided him through a wide range of involvement opportunities as a Penn State nutritional Sciences student. Nick is an active member of the Student Nutrition Association (SNA), where he has volunteered, networked with practicing dietitians, and presented nutrition topics at campus events.

Outside the classroom, he stays connected to his interest in athletics as a member of Penn State Men’s Club Soccer and as a practice player for Penn State Women’s Soccer, helping the varsity team prepare for competition. 

In addition to his experiences in the SNA and on the field, Nick has completed a performance nutrition internship with Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) to prepare him for a career in performance nutrition. As a performance nutrition intern for the Football team, he conducted special sports nutrition projects, analyzed athlete data, and developed strong communication skills by working closely with players and staff.

This experience prepared him for a summer internship with Penn State Olympic Sports, where he stocked fuel stations, participated in sweat testing, created hydration plans, and observed sports dietitians in practice.

“These experiences solidified my decision to pursue a career in sports dietetics,” Nick said. “Working with athletes, seeing them grow, and building relationships with coaches and staff has been such a valuable experience. I’ve continued to work with Penn State Olympic Sports through the fall semester, and working with them has helped me gain skill sets I can use later in my career.”

Following graduation with his MPS and becoming certified as an RDN, Nick plans to pursue a career as a sports dietitian for collegiate or professional athletes.

“What makes me passionate about my goals is knowing that someday I’ll look back and see how I helped many athletes improve their performance and health through nutrition. If I end up in a sports environment, I’ll also smile knowing I’m giving back to something that’s been such a significant part of my life.”