Kiersten Coates' journey through higher education is a little longer than a "traditional one," and that's okay with her. Even though she's already earned her bachelor's degree, she's taking valuable classes at Onondaga Community College before she heads to graduate school in the fall. "I really like it here. The professors are so genuine. They really want you to learn and they'll do anything to help you succeed. They really support me."
Coates graduated from Cicero-North Syracuse High School in 2017, went to SUNY Geneseo, and completed her Biology degree four years later. While figuring out what was next, she decided to take a gap year and and serve others as part of AmeriCorps. She helped Afghan refugees in California, became a certified tax preparer in Montana, worked at a summer camp for people with disabilities in Washington state, and spent time with inner city youth at a camp in Northern California. "It was amazing and the most unique experience I've ever had. It also helped me decide I want to become a registered dietician."
While weighing her graduate school options, Coates decided to come to OCC. During this academic year she's taken classes in nutrition, food safety, microbiology, and restaurant operations. She's enjoyed being part of the student team that prepares and serves dinner at Stonewalls restaurant while learning from Chef James Taylor. "I love him. He's great. He knows what he's talking about, he's very passionate, he's had a lot of experience, and he knows how to make everyone comfortable."
In the fall Coates will begin working toward her masters degree at Stony Brook University, a SUNY school located on Long Island. She hopes to spend her career helping others live better, heathier lives. "I love holistic health and finding the root cause of your problem rather than just covering it up with medicine. I want to have the knowledge and the credentials to share it with people. There isn't a cookie cutter 'you have to eat this, drink this, and work out a certain amount of times a week' solution. You need to listen to your body signals and figure it out."
