By Dr. Jacqueline Bergman, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition, Food Science & Packaging
In the bustling corridors of San José State University’s Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging, graduate students Adriana Fregoso, Kayla Mitchell, and Cassandra Boyd stand as testaments to resilience, passion, and purpose. These individuals, specializing in various domains of nutrition science, navigate their academic journeys at SJSU with unwavering determination and a commitment to making a difference in their respective fields.
Adriana Fregoso: Breaking Barriers with Resilience and Determination
Adriana’s journey at SJSU began with challenges common to first-generation Latina students. Nonetheless, her tenacity led her to earn double bachelor’s degrees in Nutritional Science and Spanish. After a hiatus, Adriana returned to SJSU to earn her master’s degree with renewed purpose. Her most memorable moment as a master’s student takes her back to her first day, sitting in the same classroom as she had five years earlier. She recalls feeling a transformative shift, more engaged, confident, and excited to finish what she had started. “It was a nice reminder of how far I had come…” Drawing from her experiences, Adriana’s research focuseson addressing cultural food challenges among Latino students. She shares, “As a Latina college student, I found myself forced to change my eating habits, leaving behind a part of my cultural identity.” Through her journey from uncertainty to empowerment, Adriana has learned to seek help when needed and support others facing similar challenges.
Kayla Mitchell: Fearless Optimism–Navigating Paths of Passion and Opportunity
After high school, Kayla ventured from the Bay Area to Santa Cruz, enrolling at Cabrillo College. For five years, amidst the ebb and flow of retail work, she explored various courses. However, her true calling emerged when she discovered the introductory nutrition classes at Cabrillo College. Instantly captivated, Kayla’s passion for food and cooking found its anchor, setting her on an exciting new path. As an SJSU transfer student, Kayla thrived while juggling work, achieved leadership roles in the NUFS club, and gained acceptance into the nutritional science’s SAGE ‘24 cohort. Despite challenges, she graduated debt-free, crediting her peers and professors for their invaluable support. Reflecting on her journey, Kayla shared, “College can be an incredibly stressful and challenging time, but I was able to persist with the help and camaraderie of my peers and professors.” With dreams of returning to SJSU as a professor, Kayla’s story inspires others to embrace courage and seize their prospects.
Cassandra Boyd: Navigating Graduate School with Grit and Grace
Cassandra Boyd’s journey from community college to earning her master’s at SJSU embodies humble gratitude and endurance. Despite seven years of uncertainty, a nutrition class sparked her passion, propelling her to excel in undergraduate studies. Flash forward to graduate school, her impactful research on probiotics, including the renowned “Ten Foods with the Highest Prebiotic Content,” garnered international recognition earning publications and featured in Newsweek, Yahoo, Everyday Health, and 50+ other news outlets. Her SJSU experience solidified her career aspirations in research, all while remaining humble and grateful for the
supportive community. “I am most grateful for the community of people at SJSU who believed in me before I believed in myself.” Through it all, Cassandra exemplifies the power of dedication, passion, and persistence.
Their collective experiences affirm SJSU’s transformative impact, nurturing students to become catalysts for change in their fields and communities.