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Graduate Success Stories

Hawthorn University graduate Laura Ehlers explains why Hawthorn was the right choice for her

Laura Ehlers decided to attend Hawthorn University for a number of reasons. Laura found that the information and coursework were more in-depth than other programs, and the timeframes were convenient. It was easy for her to fit online learning into her life and work at the same time. Laura also liked that the comprehensive program was holistic and evidence-based, allowing her to speak confidently to other health professionals and share wellness information with others.

Firsthand Accounts

Hungry to know more? Learn about other peoples’ experience at Hawthorn University.

Click here to watch Hawthorn University Alumni share their success stories.

Congratulations to Hawthorn Graduates!

Our alumni make us proud. Read about their accomplishments below and be inspired; after all, that could be you featured one day.

Elizabeth Tay (MSHN Graduate 2020)

Elizabeth Tay (MSHN Graduate 2020)

Posted on July 8, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , , ,
Congratulations to Elizabeth Tay for graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition program. Elizabeth also holds a Master of Science in Marketing from the University of Leicester, UK. She is a breast cancer survivor whose diagnosis changed her perspective of life and sparked a passionate pursuit to study human health, read more...

Sydney McStravick (MSHN Graduate 2020)

Sydney McStravick (MSHN Graduate 2020)

Posted on July 8, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , , , ,
Sydney McStravick is to be congratulated for graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition program.  Sydney also holds Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Marketing and Management from the University of Oklahoma. After working in sales and marketing a personal interest in holistic nutrition led her to Hawthorn University. She read more...

Stephanie Buck

Stephanie Buck

Posted on June 30, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , , ,
Congratulations to Stephanie Buck for graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition program. Stephanie also holds a Master of Art in International Policy and Commerce from George Mason University. After overcoming pregnancy difficulties, she switched from a career in the defense industry to focus on women's wellness. She entered Hawthorn read more...

Barbara Heiz

Barbara Heiz

Posted on June 8, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , ,
Congratulations to Barbara Heiz for attaining the Summa Cum Laude designation upon her graduation from the Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition program. Barbara also holds a bachelor's degree in International Management. Her early experiences led her to the understanding that although doctors are important to assist people to heal, a clean diet can help read more...

Sarah Kostusiak

Sarah Kostusiak

Posted on June 8, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , , ,
Congratulations to Sarah Kostusiak for attaining the Summa Cum Laude designation upon her graduation from the Master of Science in Health and Nutrition Education program. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Sciences in Education for the Hearing Impaired from Ball State University. She also holds multiple health coach certifications from Dr. Sears Wellness Institute, the Primal read more...

Kerrian White

Kerrian White

Posted on June 8, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , , ,
Congratulations to Kerrian White for graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Nutrition Consultant program. Her nutritional experience started when she worked as a mammographer and involved women with breast cancers. Her love for nutrition led her to further her education in science-based studies at Hawthorn. Kerrian’s post-graduate plans involve advising individuals and families how to read more...

Ruth Ann Foster

Ruth Ann Foster

Posted on April 21, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , , ,
Congratulations to Ruth Ann Foster for graduating from the Doctor of Science in Holistic Nutrition program with the Summa Cum Laude designation. Ruth recently completed the UNC Chapel Hill Nurse Refresher Program to reactivate her RN license. As a nutrition researcher and health advocate, she has testified at the North Carolina Legislature since 2006 and read more...

Brighid James

Brighid James

Posted on April 20, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , ,
Congratulations to Brighid James for graduating Cum Laude from the Nutrition Consultant certificate program. Brighid’s goal is to help people heal their bodies through connecting to themselves, their communities and their environment. Her health coaching work focuses on encouraging people how to find health and balance through whole-foods nutrition, traditional herbs and conscious lifestyle. She read more...

Ludmilla Branigan

Ludmilla Branigan

Posted on February 20, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , ,
Congratulations to Ludmilla Branigan for graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Nutrition Consultant certificate program. Lu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education as well as a Master’s in Education and has over 35 years of experience in education and counseling. Developing three autoimmune diseases by the time she was 40 propelled her read more...

Kim Fijalka

Kim Fijalka

Posted on February 8, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , ,
Congratulations to Kim Fijalka for graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Nutrition Consultant program. Kim's personal journey towards wellness led her on a path to Hawthorn where she expanded her knowledge and learned how to overcome severe fatigue and hormonal imbalance using nutrition and other wellness techniques. Her education focus centers on hormonal imbalances and read more...