While searching for a master’s program in nutrition and to further understand the importance of healthy living, Taneya Fortson-Cifci, MSNHP (’21), found so much more: a career passion.
“I believe when you are on the right path, opportunity will find you” explained Taneya. “Following my acceptance to Logan in 2018, there have been so many serendipitous occurrences involving my education and career that there is no doubt I am on the correct path.”
Taneya decided upon Logan University’s virtual Master of Science in Nutrition and Human Performance (MSNHP) program, where she found the most challenging and interesting curriculum.
As she began classes, Taneya started learning more about nutrition, which led her to start correcting the poor health-related decisions she and her family were making.
“With my newfound knowledge, I was able to help my father lose unwanted weight and improve his lipid profile,” said Taneya. “My kids have also adopted better habits and often chose a piece of fruit for a snack rather than something sugary. My choice to study dietetics at Logan has truly made a positive impact on those that I love.”
Taneya completed Logan’s MSNHP program in 2021 and was ready to tackle the next chapter.
“Logan did an amazing job of making me feel like I was an integral member of the student population despite being a distance learner,” said Taneya. “With easy accessibility to faculty, and both the writing and learning centers, I was provided with every tool that I needed to succeed in the program.”
With a MSNHP degree under her belt, Taneya found herself wanting to learn and help others more. After talking with Logan Academic Success Coach and friend, Crissinnia Lambert, Taneya discovered Logan’s new Certification in Nutrition Specialist (CNS) program.
“I called Crissinnia and asked if Logan offered the courses I needed to sit for the CNS exam, and she enthusiastically told me Logan had recently began to offer a CNS certificate pathway,” explained Taneya. “Two days later, I was fully registered, and ready to go.”
The CNS credential is one of the most advanced certifications for personalized nutrition practice. Individuals who obtain this certification are proficient in nutrition therapy, education and research in a number of job settings, creating even more opportunities.
Taneya is the first student to enroll in Logan University’s CNS certification program.
“Being the first CNS student at Logan is an honor,” said Taneya. “I am proud of the education that I have received at Logan, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my education and further my altruistic ambitions at an institution that I highly respect!”
One of Taneya’s goals for the future includes researching and developing universal alternative feeding protocols for late-premature infants.
“My youngest son was a low-birth-weight, late pre-term infant. Feeding him was far more difficult than it needed to be,” explained Taneya. “There are several alternative feeding methods that would have helped both my son and I when he was transitioning out of the hospital, but we were not aware of them at the time. As a result, my newborn son nearly became so ill that he was close to being re-admitted to the hospital. Knowing what I experienced and being aware of the higher infant morbidity and mortality rates among this infant population, if there is anything that I could do to lower these rates while providing new parents with confidence in their abilities to provide basic nutrition to their late-preterm infants, then that is what I would like to push towards accomplishing. Overall, utilizing the education I receive from Logan University, my aim is to help others live longer, healthier, happier lives, starting with the newest members of the population.”