Kayla Nelson

Kayla Nelson is an alumna from Penn State Nutritional Sciences’ undergraduate and Master of Professional Studies in Nutritional Sciences programs. She currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, and works at North Carolina State University as a Gatorade Sports Nutrition Immersion Program (SNIP) Fellow for the university's various athletic teams.

Why did you pursue a degree from Penn State Nutritional Sciences?

I entered Penn State as a kinesiology major, drawn to understanding the body through my background as a competitive gymnast. During my freshman year, I began to develop disordered eating habits, which at the time felt normalized in college culture. 

In my second semester, I enrolled in a nutrition course taught by Jen Meengs, my only in-person class during COVID-19. Through that course, I not only fell in love with the science of nutrition but also realized how I had been unintentionally harming my body. 

I began to recognize these struggles were common among many individuals and athletes, and I felt a strong desire to help change that narrative. 

The close relationships and mentorship fostered within the Nutritional Sciences program, particularly from inspiring instructors like Jen, made the field feel personal and impactful. Changing my major to Nutritional Sciences was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

What impact are you seeking to make in your current position?

In my current role as a Gatorade SNIP Fellow at NC State, I work closely with student-athletes through one-on-one counseling, team education, sweat testing, interdisciplinary collaboration, and fueling operations. I help athletes navigate nutrient timing, performance fueling, hydration, recovery, supplementation, and gastrointestinal or micronutrient concerns. I also work with many international student-athletes, helping them overcome barriers related to food access and cultural differences.

In addition, I assist with social media and digital education for the NC State Sports Nutrition Instagram profile, helping translate evidence-based nutrition into accessible content for athletes.

I am especially passionate about supporting this age group as they navigate disordered eating, fueling habits, and the emotions tied to food and performance. My goal is to create an environment where athletes feel safe, confident, and understood in their nutrition care. Seeing athletes feel stronger and more confident both in and out of sport is incredibly rewarding and continues to motivate my work as a sport dietitian.

How did your degree lead to your current position?

My degrees from Penn State Nutritional Sciences played a major role in preparing me for my current position. Going into my junior year, Nick Yonko, assistant athletic director for performance nutrition at Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics, gave me the opportunity to serve as a performance nutrition intern. That experience allowed me to build a strong foundation in sports nutrition, fueling operations, and leadership under an incredible mentor.

The curriculum in the nutritional sciences undergrad program is both challenging and highly applicable, and the professors genuinely care about student growth and success. The close relationships I built with faculty made learning feel personal, and courses in sports nutrition and eating disorders directly shaped how I support athletes today.

My master’s courses further strengthened my professionalism, leadership, and self-awareness, helping me refine my communication and interviewing skills as I prepared for my fellowship. I am also deeply grateful for the friends I met through these programs, whose encouragement and support carried me through undergraduate studies, graduate school, and the SNIP application process.

What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in the field?

One of the biggest challenges in the nutrition field is the overwhelming amount of misinformation shared on social media, where unverified claims often spread faster than evidence-based guidance. This can make it difficult for individuals to know what information to trust and often creates confusion around fueling and health. As dietitians, we must continually educate and help people understand the value of evidence-based recommendations.

At the same time, one of the greatest opportunities in this field is the ability to positively impact how people feel, perform, and view nutrition. Helping individuals feel confident in their fueling and supporting them in becoming the best versions of themselves is incredibly rewarding. That ability to create lasting, meaningful change is what makes this work so impactful.

What advice do you have for nutritional sciences students?

My biggest advice is to say “yes” to opportunities and try as many experiences as you can early on. Do not be afraid to move somewhere new or step outside your comfort zone, even when it feels intimidating, because growth often comes from those moments.

Building connections is also incredibly important in this field, so reach out, network, and learn from those around you. Stay positive on long or challenging days and remember why you started.

It is also OK to explore multiple areas of nutrition before finding the path that fits you best. Trust the process and know that the hard work will pay off.