Dietetics students achieve milestone by securing postgraduate internships
May 30, 2025
Contact: Emma Laing  | 706-542-7983  | More about Emma

Dietetics students in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences are once again headed to top-notch post-graduate supervised practice programs.

Including the spring and fall application cycles, 30 students were selected by dietetic internship programs, an important step in becoming credentialed as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

“Our graduates are headed to exceptional programs in Georgia and throughout the United States,” said Emma Laing, clinical professor and director of dietetics in the department of nutritional sciences. “I am so proud of their hard work and dedication toward achieving this milestone that will launch their careers.”

Applying to dietetic internships is highly competitive and is a similar process to other allied health professional training programs like physician assistant, dental and medical schools.

UGA students seeking to become an RDN must first complete STEM coursework in a nationally-accredited program – the FACS dietetics major is a Didactic Program in Dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics – then earn a minimum of a master’s degree and finish approximately 1,000 hours of supervised practice in an accredited internship.

After successfully completing their graduate degree and dietetic internship, students then have to pass the national comprehensive Commission on Dietetic Registration RDN exam before seeking licensure to practice in their state.

"We are fortunate to have Dr. Laing lead our Didactic Program in Dietetics and the many dedicated faculty and staff who educate and mentor our students," said Connie Rogers, department head and Bill and June Flatt Professor of Nutritional Sciences. "I am so impressed that our dietetics students have achieved such a high placement rate to internships yet again, which is a credit to our students, faculty and leadership of Dr. Laing."

Laing said the program’s success is a reflection of the student-centric approach prevalent throughout the college.

“Our students receive the very best training delivered by the faculty and staff in our department and in the Student Success and Advising Center,” she said. “With tailored resources and multiple levels of support, our graduates are well-prepared to become successful and compassionate future RDNs.”

Students Carly Lansberg and Avery Karp credited Laing with helping them secure an internship with Wellness Workdays.

“We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Laing for her unwavering dedication," the students said. "Her support and belief in us gave us the confidence to pursue our goals and with her guidance, we were both accepted into our dream dietetic internships with Wellness Workdays."

Below is a list of students who were accepted into supervised practice programs this year, shared with permission.

Payton Brewer, Morrison Healthcare DI

Abriana Byrd, Morrison Healthcare DI

Leah Capomaccio, Mass General Hospital DI

Mackensey Clark, Sodexo DI

Libby Derry, Emory University Hospital DI

Anna Faye Dupree, Emory University Hospital DI

Ellie Getchell, Emory University Hospital DI

Rachel Gibbs, Morrison Healthcare DI

Marco Giraldo, Be Well Solutions DI

Abbi Haley, Emory University Hospital DI

Maggie Hartman, Morrison Healthcare DI

AnnaLisa Hutchinson, Sodexo DI

Renee Hutton, University of Georgia PhD/DI

Erin Iverson, Virginia Tech DI

Avery Karp, Wellness Workdays DI

Carly Lansberg, Wellness Workdays DI

Olivia McMickle, Aramark DI

Claire O’Toole, Emory University Hospital DI

Caitlin Peeler, Sodexo DI

Jesse Perry, Diet to Lifestyle DI

Elizabeth Petrucci, Be Well Solutions DI

Jordyn Purnell, Morrison Healthcare DI

Jacob Pursell, University of Georgia MS/DI

Lindsey Reynolds, Morrison Healthcare DI

Catherine Sigman, Morrison Healthcare DI

Skylar Smith, Morrison Healthcare DI

Tessa Weidner, Sodexo DI

Eli Whitaker, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services DI

Amy Yepifantsev, Morrison Healthcare DI