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STRIDE Students to Graduate in June

With graduation season approaching, STRIDE will say goodbye to four student employees. Below, we summarize their accomplishments and contributions during their time with the center. While we are sad to see them go, we are excited about the great things they will do.

Jessie Bierlich, Nutrition Graduate Student and STRIDE Health Ambassadors/Pink and Dude Chef Program Coordinator

Jessie Bierlich became a huge asset to STRIDE immediately after joining the center in fall 2013. The continued success of Health Ambassadors was a result of Bierlich's excellence in both planning and implementation. As program coordinator, Bierlich taught the Health Ambassadors course, oversaw Health Ambassadors and Pink and Dude Chefs programming, and supervised two site managers. She helped to expand nutrition education programming in the Cal Poly dorms and build relationships with community partners. During her final quarter, Bierlich trained two program coordinators and two site managers, and we know Health Ambassadors will be in good hands.

Trevor Curry, Kinesiology Graduate Student and STRIDE A-Team Program Coordinator

It was not uncommon to find Trevor Curry in his office after hours working on curriculum for his class and developing A-Team programming. Curry taught the A-Team class and led a team of undergraduate researchers in conducting physical health assessments, including measuring height, weight, body mass index and body composition. He also helped to build a relationship with the City of San Luis Obispo and oversaw students as they conducted assessments for the city staff. During his final quarter at STRIDE, Curry kept busy training the next group of A-Team leaders and overseeing an environmental audit of Cal Poly’s walkability and bike-ability.

Michaela Clauss, Nutrition Undergraduate Student and STRIDE Health Ambassadors Site Manager

Michaela Clauss was known for her dedication and willingness to help out wherever needed. She was an asset to Health Ambassadors for more than two years, assisting with the Pink and Dude Chefs culinary and nutrition education program at Mesa Middle School in Arroyo Grande. Clauss was critical in growing STRIDE’s presence on campus and in the community. She helped expand programming in the dorms and led a regular cooking and nutrition education class. Most recently, Clauss worked on a collaboration between STRIDE and Cal Poly's Institute for Advanced Technology and Public Policy to design nutrition education videos for underserved communities.

Colleen McConnell, Nutrition Undergraduate Student and STRIDE Health Ambassadors Site Manager

Colleen McConnell’s passion for health education and outreach was clear every time she talked about the projects she ran through Health Ambassadors. For the last two years, McConnell assisted with the Pink and Dude Chefs program and coordinated community outreach projects. She organized and oversaw Health Ambassador students as they showcased veggies each month at Pacheco Elementary School and led families in preparing meals with freshly picked produce at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens. She lit up when describing the latest veggie of the month and how she and the Health Ambassadors prepped the food. Her enthusiasm and passion will definitely be missed around the STRIDE offices.

STRIDE appreciates all the hard work everyone put in during the last several years. We wish you luck in your future endeavors and know you will succeed wherever you go.

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