The desire to complete her degree in Dietetic Technology (DT) led Megan to enroll at PVCC as it is one of two options in Arizona. Megan is glad she chose PVCC due to the resources available and the “incredible dietetic staff.”
Megan appreciated the unique style each professor brought to their classrooms. She felt like they truly cared about their students and Megan is grateful for the connections she established with each of her professors. She has so many good memories of the classes and the people she was surrounded by. “I'm still in touch with some of the women who went through the program with me, and I can see them being lifelong friends and colleagues,” shared Megan.
Instructor Tricia Montgomery left an indelible mark on Megan’s educational experience.
“She’s an incredible dietitian, instructor, and human being.” Megan embraced Tricia’s ability to find the “perfect line” between empathy and high expectations. She is grateful for the guidance Tricia provided as her Honors advisor helping Megan “bring Puma Peer Wellness to life.” Megan said, “The fact that she believed in me was so huge! That belief inspired me to keep pushing myself to be better.”
Megan said, “Participating in the Honors Program enriched my experience by providing the opportunity to work on outside projects.” An added benefit of Honors was getting to work closely with a faculty member on a research project.
Having the opportunity to implement the motivational interview training Megan developed as part of her Puma Peer Wellness program is among her most positive memories at PVCC. Megan said, “Both Tricia Montgomery and Margaret Tate trusted me enough to lead the training in their classes, which was incredible!” Megan is interested in teaching at the collegiate level one day, so this opportunity was a beneficial introduction to college-level teaching.
Megan’s advice for students is “always say yes to opportunities that present themselves. You never know where it might lead.” Megan encourages students to “get to know your professors.” She found the education she received at PVCC every bit as good as when she earned her first degree. The small class sizes helped Megan to “feel a bigger part of the community than on a giant university campus.” The DT program required the completion of three internships: clinical nutrition, food service, and community nutrition. Each of those experiences introduced Megan to diverse communities and helped her grow as a healthcare provider.
Initially Megan planned to only complete the associate's program since it was her second degree. But once she was in classes, she learned about all the places the degree could take her. Megan said, “I feel like I gained a lot of confidence in myself at PVCC, and I was encouraged to grow and explore.” In the summer of 2020, Megan began a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Personal Health & Integrative Health and certificates in Health Education and LGBT Studies at ASU. Additionally, she is a Health Coach at Noom.