Department of Nutrition

Originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, Leslie completed her undergraduate studies before making the bold decision to move to the United States on her own in pursuit of her dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. During her time in the MSN program, Leslie further developed her passion for nutrition and community health. She balanced the demands of graduate school while working full time at a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting mental and physical health prevention within the community. Shortly before graduating, Leslie achieved a significant milestone by being accepted into the Children’s Hospital Colorado Dietetic Internship. This accomplishment represents the next step in her professional journey, where she looks forward to continuing her training, working with pediatric populations, and making meaningful contributions to the field of nutrition.

Leslie Castrejon Alvarado

MS in Nutrition Alumni Update - Leslie Castrejon Alvarado '26

Krystal Welp

Dietetic Internship Alumni Update - Krystal Welp '25

Jessica Martinez is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and certified personal trainer who serves as the Wellness Coordinator for Aurora Public Schools. In her role, she provides one on one nutrition education, hosts virtual lunch and learn sessions, leads group fitness classes, and supports wellness initiatives for faculty, staff, students, and families. She developed an annual district wide nutrition challenge and co leads a professional book study focused on healthy boundaries and burnout prevention. Jessica completed all of her higher education at MSU Denver, earning her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2014, completing her Human Nutrition Dietetics degree in 2020, and graduating from the MSU Denver Dietetic Internship program in 2022.

Jessica Martinez

Dietetic Internship Alumni Update - Jessica Martinez '22

Sydney Damon is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who works in the women's health private practice setting, specializing in prenatal and postpartum nutrition, disordered relationships with food/one's body, and intuitive eating. Sydney utilizes her experience as an IBCLC and RD to meet diverse women exactly where they are along their journey of nourishing themselves and/or their children. She passed the IBCLC exam in September of 2022 and received a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from MSU Denver that December.

Sydney Damon

Lactation Consultant Training Certificate Program Alumni Update- Sydney Damon '22

Ilana Kraushar is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) working at WIC clinics in Denver. At the WIC clinics, Ilana helps provide nutrition support, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and so much more to women, infants, and children. She loves her job and the community and coworkers she is surrounded by. Ilana originally started her career in advertising before making a change to nutrition. She received a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from MSU Denver in 2022. After Graduate school, she went on to complete a dietetic internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital in NYC.

Ilana Kraushar

MS in Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Update- Ilana Kraushar '22

Kendall Discenza, MS, is a Spring 2023 graduate of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics program. Throughout her time at MSU Denver, she was heavily involved in the Auraria Campus Student Dietetic Association and the Eating Disorder Awareness Group. Kendall also worked as a dietary technician throughout the program where she applied skills learned within the classroom. Kendall successfully matched to a dietetic internship for the 2023-2024 year as a Sodexo Dietetic Intern, Chicago Region.    

Kendall Discenza, MS

MS Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Update-Kendall Discenza Testimonial, MS, DPD '23