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Graduate Success Stories

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

Hawthorn graduate Laura Kopec is dedicated to inspiring change and transformation in the lives of women and children everywhere. She received a Master of Science in Health and Nutrition Education (MHNE) from Hawthorn University. She is author of Let’s Get Real About Eating: A Practical Guide to Nutrition and Health, My Kid’s a Picky Eater: 12 Secrets to Changing your Child’s Eating Habits and The Linked Diet: Connecting Mindset. Digestive Health and Weight Loss for Your Best Self.

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.

Amy Spindel (MSHN Graduate 2020)

Amy Spindel (MSHN Graduate 2020)

Posted on August 14, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , ,
Congratulations to Amy Spindel for graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition program.  Amy also earned a Master of Science in Clinical Social Work from Columbia University, a Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Tufts University and culinary certificates from Collin College.  She is a certified gluten-free practitioner and teaching chef.  read more...

Kelly Amoroso (MSHN Graduate 2020)

Kelly Amoroso (MSHN Graduate 2020)

Posted on August 12, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , , ,
Kelly Amoroso is to be congratulated on her graduation from the Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition program with the Summa Cum Laude designation. Kelly also holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Monmouth University. She was introduction to the power of holistic nutrition when she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. She began to read more...

Sandra Zeilstra (MSHN Graduate 2020)

Sandra Zeilstra (MSHN Graduate 2020)

Posted on August 4, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , , ,
Sandra Zeilstra is to be congratulated for graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition program. Sandra also earned an MBA in Information Systems from Seattle Pacific University and spent most of her career running a successful consulting business for small to medium-sized food companies. When her health began to deteriorate read more...

Kimberlee Detwiler (MHNE Graduate 2020)

Kimberlee Detwiler (MHNE Graduate 2020)

Posted on July 28, 2020 - Posted in: Graduate Success Stories - Tags: , , , ,
Kimberlee Detwiler is to be congratulated for graduating from the Master of Science in Health and Nutrition Education program.  Kym also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management from Ashford University.  She is one of the co-founders of Shanti Living Wellness in Poulsbo, WA and is a Certified Yoga Therapist, an Ayurveda Wellness read more...

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...