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USJ students give back to the community
When tax season intensifies and long hours become the norm, even the most disciplined professionals can struggle to maintain their health. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) employees turned to the University of Saint Joseph for guidance on how to stay energized, focused, and well under pressure.
Kaneen Gomez-Hixson ’17, M’19, assistant professor of Nutrition, led a December Lunch & Learn at the firm’s Hartford, Connecticut office, sharing practical, science-backed nutritional strategies that can sustain energy, sharpen focus, and support overall wellness during high-pressure weeks.
Experiences like this reflect a broader commitment within USJ’s Department of Nutrition and Public Health — bringing evidence-based nutrition beyond the classroom and into real-world settings.
That work spans corporate environments, healthcare partnerships, and community-based programs designed to improve access to nutrition education and support.
USJ partners with Saint Francis Hospital’s Food as Medicine program to provide education and support to underserved populations. The initiative includes a “Food Farmacy” at Saint Francis; a community kitchen on the Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital campus, which provides nutrition education; and health coaching delivered by USJ Health Science students.
“Our role is providing health coaching to people with hypertension,” explained Health Sciences Program Director and Associate Professor Laura Christoph. This year, three USJ interns are working alongside Christoph, gaining hands-on experience for their Health Coaching Certificate while they help individuals improve their lives.
Our partnership with Special Olympics provides a platform for students to learn the importance of respect, inclusion, and compassionate service. Students consistently share how rewarding these experiences are, affirming that we are meeting our mission.
Melissa Brown
USJ faculty and students also play a vital role with Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT).
Since 2019, Melissa Brown, associate professor of Nutrition and chair of USJ’s Department of Nutrition and Public Health, has served as a volunteer nutrition advisor for SOCT. As founding director of USJ’s Athlete Nutrition Advising Program, she established performance and nutrition stations staffed by USJ students during competitions, providing athletes with essential guidance on fueling and hydration between events.
USJ’s partnership with SOCT continues to expand. It now includes educational programs for athletes, virtual cooking classes, training for Special Olympics “Health Messengers” to share nutrition knowledge with their peers, and MedFest — an event where USJ PA Studies, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Nutrition students conduct physical exams and medical histories of the athletes.
“We strive to provide academic excellence through a variety of high-impact learning experiences while supporting the development of the whole person,” Brown said. “Our partnership with Special Olympics provides a platform for students to learn the importance of respect, inclusion, and compassionate service. Students consistently share how rewarding these experiences are, affirming that we are meeting our mission.”