Scott Conro

Scott Conro is a transfer nutrition, dietetics and wellness major from Kirkland, IL

Hometown: Kirkland, IL

High School: Hiawatha High School

Year: Expected graduation: 2025

Transfer from: Kishwaukee College

Why did you choose to attend NIU?
NIU is close to my family and easily accepted my transfer credits.

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
This spring I was nominated by members of my school to receive the Roxanne Isenhart Scholarship for Nutrition and Child Development. Alongside the NIU transfer scholarship, this award will allow me to spend more time volunteering and gaining nutrition-related work and research experience on campus. I suggest undergraduate students look into scholarships offered through the NIU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office and any professional groups related to their program of study.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
I remember that I wanted to be a fireman or police officer like my uncle and grandfather when I was in elementary school. I have cousins who entered the military out of high school, and I thought I would do the same (though I did not). However, I always looked up to high school classmates who performed well and went to college to get advanced knowledge, especially in the sciences. Based on my interests and performance in school, I did not think that route was for me. I decided to challenge that notion a few years ago and do it with the end goal to help people in my communities through nutrition.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am pursuing a degree in nutrition, dietetics and wellness to become a registered dietitian and help mountain hikers eat for performance and long-term health. There have been handful of influences that brought me into this course of study. This includes health issues that spawned an interest in how nutrition impacts health and a fairly modest background in mountain-based endurance athletics that requires knowledge of purchasing, packing and eating for performance. I also grew up in a family culture that celebrates all sorts of events with food, with everyone contributing to the spread. Couple these experiences with my 10 years in the restaurant industry and it seems natural for me to have developed a passion for nutrition. I hope to use this passion to become a qualified and effective health care professional helping athletes perform their best with health-promoting food choices.

Have you conducted your own research through Research Rookies, Honors capstones or theses or any other faculty-guided research opportunity?
Yes

Tell us about the research you are doing and why it interests you.
I am privileged to have a few mentors on and off campus. One of my professors in the nutrition program, Sheila Barrett, Ph.D., took the initiative to help me use the Student Engagement Fund, which allowed me to take some time away from my job. I worked with Dr. Barrett in many areas of her project assessing prevalence of prediabetes on campus. Nutrition plays a role in many chronic diseases, so to learn more about diabetes and how we assess risk factors is very relevant to my future career as a dietitian.

How has conducting research strengthened your education and experience at NIU?
I was introduced to various aspects of the research process and gained a valuable education under Dr. Barrett’s guidance. It gave me a realistic understanding of the massive amount of work needed to collect biological and anthropometric data and the time needed to organize, interpret and communicate that data. Working with her also gave me a greater appreciation for the amount of time and effort our professors put into their courses, research and student success.

How will your research experience help you in the future?
Reading research is one of the many important skills dietitians need to have to stay up to date with how and why certain recommendations and protocols are followed. Incorrectly interpreting research can lead to unnecessary costs or even harm to clients and patients. Gaining this experience (and future experience) around the research process will help me to interpret studies and the body of literature more accurately to minimize risk of harm and maximize likelihood of beneficial outcomes.

Who at NIU has been important to your success doing research and why?
My thanks goes to Dr. Barrett for bringing me into her research utilizing the Student Engagement Fund. She has been an important guide throughout this early stage of my research education. She opened the door whenever I had a question, and I know I can count on her to be there when I undoubtably have more questions in the future. Furthermore, the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning (OSEEL) is doing great work providing funding, workshops and a space for undergraduates to get research and communication experience.

What advice would you give to an incoming student as it relates to research at NIU?
Most of us are in higher education for a relatively short period of time. Take advantage of your college experience by gaining mentorship from people who have dedicated their lives to learning and communicating the concepts we are here to soak up. Gaining a deeper understanding of how we accumulate, interpret and utilize knowledge can help us be better critical thinkers.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I am new to the campus experience and think it is great to have so many different people with varying interests in such close proximity. And a shout-out to the geese for making my walks a bit chaotic this spring.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
As an older, non-traditional male student working within a female-dominated career path, there are gaps in commonality to overcome. Fortunately, my peers make for an overall brilliant and inclusive group despite these differences, and I feel that my perspective is valued. I have enjoyed getting to know students in my program by setting up frequent meeting times to complete group projects, getting involved with the Student Dietetic Association and by attending weekly Tuesday lunches at Ellington's Restaurant in the Holmes Student Center.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I have been an active member of the Student Dietetic Association (SDA) during my year at NIU and move into this semester as president. The SDA allows for like-minded students to come together to talk about nutrition, receive information about nutrition-related professional experiences on and off campus, and learn from fantastic guest speakers of interest to various health science majors (reach out to me if you would like to receive information about our speaker line-up this semester). Some of my favorite events, like the graduate student dinners and exotic fruit tasting, were shared through the SDA. I have also volunteered regularly with the Huskie Food Pantry over the last year. I recommend looking into this service if you find yourself unable to access food or volunteering if you want to help your fellow Huskies fuel their brains and bodies.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
Jeff Salmon and the Center for Student Assistance have been helpful with a handful of questions I’ve had. The University Libraries team has helped set me up with the skills I need to access online and on-site resources. Liz Yee and my CHHS advising team have worked with me to make sure my transfer credits work with my graduation timeline.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach? 
The three nutrition professors I have had thus far have all been excellent. Each have their own teaching style that seems to work well to help students learn. I personally enjoy classes that have an interactive component and especially appreciated the exercise nutrition course led by Laura Marinaro, Ph.D. In addition to enthusiastic lectures, she included interesting video labs from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (dietary recall, sweat testing, etc.), had many in-class opportunities to practice the lesson being taught, and included fun formative assessments that felt low pressure. 

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I decided when I got back into higher education that I would treat my coursework like it was my job. This means prioritizing class meeting times. There may never be a time in life where I am exposed to this many fantastic ideas or resources. I want to take advantage of this experience; I am paying for it. By making class a priority, I have been able to stay updated on assignment changes, stay focused on deadlines and continue to be exposed to course materials. I have yet to be surprised by material on an exam because going to class regularly allows me to have a pulse on what I am expected to know and ask questions if I have them. It also provides time to keep up with peers, allows for more opportunities to work on group projects and helps me stay engaged with campus volunteer opportunities.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
I have come to enjoy going to Ellington’s in the student center on Tuesdays to get a delicious (and often nutritious) meal. By going regularly, I have been able to support the nutrition and hospitality students and let them show off their craft. It has also become an excellent break in the day to socialize with friends and family. I am looking forward to more moments at Ellington’s this year.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Make sure the program you want to attend matches your interests and classes meet how you prefer (online or in person). Look to see if there are relevant on-campus opportunities that complement your learning experience. For students transferring from a community college like Kishwaukee College, speak with your advisor and an NIU advisor a year or so in advance to make sure all of your credits are appropriate for the program you plan to enter. Do not be afraid to ask questions. For students considering nutrition and dietetics, know that NIU is currently set up with a master’s degree/dietetic internship (MS/DI) program that streamlines the process to complete the requisites to sit for the credentialing exam to become a dietitian.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college degree represents a certain minimum knowledge base, but a college education means so much more. Each course is an opportunity to broaden understanding of the world and become a better, more comprehensive thinker. There are skills to be gained with each assignment, no matter how big or small. I see a college education generally as a way to learn critical thinking skills within an area of study and gain the context to use those skills effectively. Personally, I see my education as foundational to helping people meet their nutritional needs from a holistic perspective. There are complex psychosocial, economic and biological factors that play a part in how a qualified nutrition professional works ethically within their communities, and a structured education is the best way to fill these knowledge gaps.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I find that having a set routine for each day of the week works best to accomplish my tasks. If I have time built into my schedule to do the work, I don’t have to stress or scramble to complete a task, and I also feel motivated to use that time effectively. Last semester, I blocked off 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for schoolwork and class time most days, which allowed me to get the majority of my work done and still gave me time to get other life things accomplished. Friday and Saturday nights were blocked off for work, and Sundays would often be spent with family for a handful of hours. I plan to have a similar schedule this semester since it seems to work for me.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I check my email regularly to make sure I do not miss information or resources shared by my professors or peers. Last year I learned about different opportunities on campus by getting involved with the Student Dietetic Association. I will be reviewing the weekly scroll and Huskie Hub frequently this semester as I move into a leadership role with the SDA.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
My favorite way to relax and recharge is to go for a walk, especially in one of our local forest preserves. I get outside for a run every day (over 950 days), so I will also try to walk for a few minutes if I am feeling especially stressed. I also prioritize seeing my niece and nephew, who always seem to make me smile. Going to the gym or watching the occasional TV show also help me decompress. In the summers I recharge by going to Colorado for a few weeks to camp and hike the high peaks.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I worked for Tangled Roots Brewing Company at Keg and Kernel from opening day in December 2021 until they closed the doors in April 2024. I have been considering the direction to take for the remainder of my undergrad program. I spent the summer taking a research methods course with the fantastic Michael Kushnick, Ph.D., and working on a couple of projects for Alyssa Lieb, RD, one of my mentors and a mountain-athlete dietitian. She graciously invited me to sit in on over a dozen client calls this summer. I am thankful to get to witness a quality professional in action at this point in my education, especially one working with a population I would like to work with. This summer also found me exploring some peaks in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Sawatch range of Colorado. I lived in Colorado for five years and spent considerable time hiking the Colorado 14ers (mountains over 14,000 feet) and 13ers during that time. It’s my passion. I was fortunate to meet with friends for a few weeks this summer to see the world from the clouds and explore territory I once considered my home.