Student Finds Passion for Health and Community Wellness Through UWG Share this page
For University of West Georgia senior Allison Carden, maintaining dietary health is more than a priority – it's a passion.
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health and community wellness with a focus on dietetics and minor in nutrition, Carden actively engages in initiatives that promote wellness, including her role as a nutrition ambassador and her involvement with Wolves Don’t Waste. Through these various opportunities, she’s learning a variety of skills that will benefit her future career.
“I’ve really found my passion for nutrition and health,” said Carden.
Carden is an E-Board member of Wolves Don’t Waste, a food-recovery organization on campus. Dedicated to reducing food waste, members visit the West Commons Dining Hall on Tuesday and Thursday nights to help recover and refrigerate leftover food. The leftovers are placed in the Campus Center refrigerator and are available for university students and faculty.
“We put it in the refrigerator on the first floor of the Campus Center for free access for anyone who needs it,” said Carden.
In addition to her leadership role, Carden has served as a nutrition ambassador for the past two years – a role exclusive to the dietetics and nutrition pathway. In this position, she helps promote dietary health through on-campus events like smoothie tastings and shares recipes and promotes healthy eating practices on Instagram.
“Nutrition is very complex and can get overwhelming,” said Carden. “We want to educate people and answer any questions they might have.”
Dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others, the nutrition ambassadors visited The Harbor at Douglasville, a memory care center. Carden helped make healthy desserts for the residents and created opportunities for them to participate.
“It was a very heartwarming experience,” said Carden.
Through these unique experiences, Carden has learned social skills, effective communication, mentorship and the importance of nutritional health. She’s discovered a passion for teaching and has been encouraged out of her comfort zone, allowing her to grow both personally and professionally.
She advises others to keep an open mind, be willing to learn and take advantage of UWG opportunities.
“Don’t skip out on opportunities,” said Carden. “Be open to new things and meeting new people.”
For more information on UWG’s Health and Community Wellness program, visit its website.