Inspiring Graduate: Lauren Couves (’23)
- Hometown: Ames, Iowa
- Degree: B.S. Dietetics
Having earned her B.S. in dietetics from UW-Stout on May 6, Lauren Couves will return this fall to complete her M.S. in nutrition and dietetics.
She will be a graduate assistant and assistant tennis coach next year and plans to apply to dietetic internships in the spring of 2024.
“Stout has prepared me very well to work in my field,” Couves said. “With UW-Stout's emphasis on polytechnic learning, I was encouraged and required to seek field-related experience outside of class. These experiences increased my confidence and competence within the field of dietetics, allowing me to apply my outside knowledge to my classes.”
“Lauren has been an incredible student and teammate and has helped many students with her kindness, cheer and mentorship as an Academic Resource Coordinator for University Housing,” said Jacob Ausman, resident life coordinator.
What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?
The 320 required field experience hours for dietetics students were daunting at first. However, I know it will help me stand out to future dietetic internship preceptors.
Second, the ability to dual enroll in graduate courses while completing my undergraduate courses was super helpful and something I may not have been able to do at another university.
Lastly, I'll always remember the conversations the dietetics students have had with Dr. Kerry Peterson regarding the weight stigma and weight bias within our field.
How did you overcome the challenges you faced in earning your degree?
The biggest challenges I faced were the pandemic and my own fears while taking classes that were intimidating. To overcome these challenges, I had to learn to prioritize my mental health. In doing so, I built a community within my major and found a therapist that I could talk to each week. I gave myself permission to fail, ask questions and reflect on where I could improve.
I am proud of the relationships I've built and the resilience I've displayed. I've grown a lot as a person during my time at Stout.
I have learned the importance in surrounding myself with supportive people and challenging what I think I know.
How did your involvement impact your experience?
I was a player on the UW-Stout women's tennis team for four years, an active member of Stout Student Dietetic Association and an ARC for University Housing. These experiences helped me improve my communication, teamwork, leadership and time management skills.
