May 8, 2024 8:45:00 AM | holistic nutrition degree ACHS Adult Scholarship Recipients Share Their Inspiring Stories

We are delighted to announce the recipients of the ACHS Adult Scholarship to two of our current students, Katie Petroni and Jennifer Brooks. ACHS awards $1,000 toward tuition to up to 10 students every year. Recipients of the scholarship show a demonstrated record of success with their studies, provide exceptional recommendation letters, and attest to their strong commitment to the holistic health field. This semester, Katie and Jennifer were awarded scholarships based on these criteria. We commend their great achievements and share their inspiring stories. 

Naturopathic Medicine and Holistic Nutrition: Katie’s Story

Katie Petroni’s journey to ACHS began after years of navigating her own personal health struggles. Katie was able to find relief through naturopathic medicine and holistic nutrition. Through healthy improvements in her lifestyle, she was able to empower herself with new knowledge and start the healing process. She became motivated to dive deeper into holistic nutrition and wants to help others who are struggling with similar issues. These goals eventually led her to enroll in the Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition program at ACHS. 

Katie currently works as a tax accountant. She holds an Associate's degree in Behavioral Science, a Bachelor's degree in Business Accounting, and a certificate in Conflict Management from Sonoma State University. She has also completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program and is a member of the Women's Initiative Now community resource group at BPM LLP.

Impact on Holistic Health

Katie became familiar with holistic health and nutrition through her background in skin care. Her goal is to help others learn how nutrition can heal the body and the skin. She plans to be a resource and guide for women, focusing on women's healthcare and empowering them to find solutions for their specific health needs. She has seen amazing outcomes emerge from her holistic health journey, and she is excited to help others reach their own health goals. 

Seeking Out Holistic Nutrition at ACHS

Katie was drawn to study holistic nutrition at ACHS because of the well-rounded curriculum and flexibility that will allow her to balance work and home life while pursuing her passion successfully. She is excited to start her education at ACHS and add more tools to her holistic health toolbox so she can help others. 

Katie expressed her appreciation for the scholarship, saying, “The ACHS Adult Scholarship will allow me to pursue my passion without piling on a mountain of student debt.” Katie is also relocating soon, and the scholarship will free up more financial resources as she and her family move states. 

Katie’s Advice to Others: Take Baby Steps!

Katie recommends that once you find something that you're passionate about, take steps to learn as much as possible. For those interested in holistic nutrition, it could be following a blog, reading a book, working with a health coach, listening to podcasts, or taking online classes. Find what works best for you and your family. You never know where your path will lead you. Listen to your intuition. You will know when you are ready to take that small first step. After all, small consistent steps can lead to some pretty amazing outcomes! 

Complementary and Alternative Health: Jennifer’s Story

Jennifer embarked on a transformative personal journey to get where she is today. After navigating her own health issues, she fell in love with yoga and alternative therapies. She bravely followed this passion by pivoting from a Bachelor's degree in Business to focusing her education on Complementary Alternative Medicine. Jennifer earned her Master of Science in Complementary and Alternative Health¹ at ACHS in 2020 and began searching for a doctoral program that would fit her needs. She recalled the high-quality coursework and faculty communication she received at ACHS in the past and knew that the education would be exceptional. This guided her decision to pursue the Doctor of Science in Integrative Health at ACHS in 2023. Jennifer says, “I chose ACHS for my education because it aligned with my own thought process and feelings on the way to approach healing methodologies for my future clients.” 

While she completed her educational endeavors, Jennifer was also busy building her business, Omazing Grace and Wellness, where she coaches and consults clients on their health and wellness needs. Her services incorporate yoga, nutrition, herbal support, lifestyle modifications, and integrative therapies. After she completes the doctoral program, she hopes to build a wellness clinic. 

An Incredible Start to an Academic Career

Jennifer feels she’s had a well-rounded and supportive experience at ACHS. She says, “ACHS is an outstanding educational institution. The focus on human-centered healing modalities and bringing up informed, educated, and prepared practitioners is second to none that I have experienced. The content is relevant, current, and scientifically proven. I love the community at ACHS. The faculty, the professors, and the students are fully invested in each other and the successes of all involved. I truly value my education and my time here. Past, present, and future!”

Jennifer’s Gratitude & Tips for Prospective Students

The ACHS Adult Scholarship will help Jennifer focus more on school and less on figuring out academic finances. She appreciates the encouragement and support from ACHS, stating, “It shows me that you also value my work and my education. I just wanted to express my gratitude for the school and for this scholarship. I am so thankful to be a part of this community.” 

Jennifer’s advice to other students is to “address school the same way you address your self-care.” She recommends setting aside time for school and knowing that it may look different from day to day. “Time management and open communication have been my best friends throughout my education journey,” she says. “ Your education is something that you will always have, and you are going to get what you put into it.  Once you have it, it is yours and yours alone.” She also encourages students to pursue their passion, reflecting that “if you focus on something you love and work hard at it, it will not feel like work. It will feel more like a passion project.”

We congratulate Katie and Jennifer on being the recipients of the ACHS Adult Scholarship. We wish them all the best in their studies and future endeavors and can't wait to see their continued impact in the holistic health field! 

¹Note, the Master of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine is now called the Master of Science in Integrative Health.

This article is for informational purposes only. Please contact ACHS Admissions at admissions@achs.edu or 800-487-8839 for additional information and to apply for admission. Graduation from any ACHS program does not confer a license to practice medicine. ACHS graduates do not claim to treat, diagnose, cure, or prescribe. Please note that professional success is achieved by a number of factors beyond education and experience, including soft skills, work ethic, integrity, and other skills that may not be developed through education and training alone. Not all graduates will achieve the career outcomes provided as examples in this article and other ACHS marketing materials.