April 11, 2023

“I am interested in how we can use foods to heal, not just the body but the mind and spirit too,” shares Alexis Moïse, current student in the Nutrition and Foods (BS)/Nutrition and Dietetics (MS) Bridge Program.

Moïse is passionate about healing. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Moïse says that the shift in daily life led her to reflect more deeply on her identity and experiences.

“During the pandemic, I really came back to myself,” Moïse shares. “My sister Milan got me into gardening and I worked to actively connect with myself. These interventions led to a realization that I wanted to shift my major at Drexel from chemical engineering to nutrition.”

Why Nutrition?

For Moïse, it’s all about connection. Whether she is studying for nutrition courses, writing original music or dreaming of her future life coaching services, Moïse is committed to teaching others how to strengthen the connections within themselves.

“Everything I do in nutrition, I approach with a holistic mindset. Mind, body and spirit are all connected. I am interested in healing work. Everything we eat affects our bodies in a myriad of ways, and I am exploring those connections through my Nutrition program at Drexel."

As a student in the Nutrition and Foods (BS)/Nutrition and Dietetics (MS) Bridge Program, Moïse will complete an undergraduate and graduate education in five years. This program prepares students to become a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN). The major covers all aspects of normal and therapeutic nutrition for individuals and groups. This major also encompasses nutrition science, the application of the principles of biochemistry, physiology, and biology to human nutritional needs.

In addition, this degree program provides students with the opportunity to gain professional experience via a dietetic internship at the Center for Nutrition and Performance at Drexel University.

Community-Led Future

“In my future career, I am interested in earning my life coach certification and opening a private practice nutrition counseling service that encompasses wellness services and life coaching,” shares Moïse.

Moïse is excited to learn more about natural medicine and incorporate this knowledge into future nutrition counseling. “I see myself working with people and helping them to align to the type of person that they want to be and achieve their goals.” While Moïse’s dreams for the future are big, she is also committed to being inclusive of local communities in her work.

“Not everyone can afford nutrition counseling,” Moïse asserts, “So I want the work that I do to be accessible to my community. As a Black person, I know that we face a higher risk of disease, such as diabetes or cardiovascular issues. By becoming a registered nutritionist, I am thinking about how I can use these skills to give back.”

Ultimately, Moïse shares that her nutrition sciences studies have led her to ardent belief in the power of treating the whole person.

“In my career, I want to focus on how to nurture the body, mind and spirit. For me, it’s not enough to treat someone’s symptoms. We must get to the root of the issue and focus on healing the whole person.”

Written by Izzy López