Food Science & Nutrition Senior Spotlight: Faith Rousey 

Jordan College Dean’s Medalist nominee and senior Faith Rousey has pivoted off her passion as an athlete and turned it into a budding career as a dietitian.

The daughter of former Fresno State baseball coach Steve Rousey originally arrived on campus as a softball player, but after arm injuries ended her career, she has worked with the athletic department’s full-time dietitian (Alisha Parker) the past two years.

Among her many duties, she has worked with football student-athletes and other teams through its fueling station and special nutrition sessions, as well as the food science and nutrition department’s “Bulldogs in the Kitchen” cooking and nutrition demonstrations.

She has also helped develop nutritionally-appropriate menus at an area senior living facility, and volunteered at the Central California Food Bank and Marjaree Mason Center.

Her next step is returning to Southern California to start a full-time dietetic internship program and master’s degree at Long Beach State.

Read more about her in this recent interview.

 

Why were you drawn to the food science and nutrition department?

Rousey: “As an athlete, I developed a passion for using food as fuel since it’s a demanding lifestyle. That moment when you show someone a new meal or food that serves their body well and they become more confident in their health is something valuable. I wanted to help more people experience that very moment and reach peace with food to enjoy it as it should be.”

 

What were some of your Fresno State favorite classes and why?

Rousey: “I loved taking lifecycle nutrition with Professor Erika Ireland because it focused on all ages and really opened my eyes to healthy eating across a lifetime. I also have enjoyed Dr. (Shinn) Griffin’s healthy cooking class because she makes learning inviting to all students and the food was delicious, of course!”

 

Which Fresno State mentors had the biggest influence on you?

Rousey: “There have been so many faculty members that have gotten me to where I have been today! I have to show appreciation for Alisha Parker, the Director of Sport’s Nutrition. She granted me the opportunity to work in the sports nutrition setting and gave me so much room to grow in my future career. I also need recognize Dr. Lisa Herzig. She pushed me in my senior capstone classes more than any teacher before and she had so much confidence in my learning experience. Both of these women gave me knowledge I will carry for a lifetime.”

 

Did you work or volunteer on campus while you were a student?

Rousey: “I worked for the sports nutrition department for over two years. I managed the student-athlete fueling station, gave team presentations and was a part of the support staff for the football team year-round.”

“I presented to other Fresno State athletic teams on seasonal fueling regimens throughout my college experience which included in-depth powerpoint curations and real-time cooking demonstrations.”

 

What career do you plan to use your degree with?

Rousey: “I intend on becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. I hope to work with the younger generation of athletes across the country to promote healthy eating at a young age, injury prevention and fueling their body beyond their athletic careers. I aspire to start my own corporation that works hand-in-hand with high school, colleges, and institutions to inspire and teach more young individuals.”

 

Are there people you would like to thank in your family that have been key influences for you receiving your diploma, and how?

Rousey: “I would like to thank my dad, Steve Rousey. He has been such a big part of who I am today and he inspires me to never settle until I get what I work for. He dedicated so much of his little free time as a long-time Division-I baseball coach to helping find the best university for me and making sure I was prepared to face any adversity thrown my way. We always worked to be in the" top 1%" of anything we did. I have to thank my mom, Robin Rousey, as she was always been my number one fan and best friend. She has shown me what it is to be a hard-working, selfless woman. Also, to my older brothers, Nate & P.J, and sister Gabbie for always being so supportive and showing me the way.”

 

Did you do any internships while at Fresno State?

Rousey: “I was an intern for Fresno Guest Homes, a senior living facility. I was a student dietary assistant that helped curate new recipes and a revised meal plan for the residents to enjoy.  I was a tour leader for Bulldogs in the Grocery where I gave interactive Save Mart grocery tours to Fresno State students and members of the local community.”

“I also participated in volunteer opportunities at the Central California Food Bank, Marjaree Mason Center and Saturday Sports where I worked with a variety of community members of all ages and backgrounds.”

 

What clubs were you active in at Fresno State?

Rousey: “I was a member of the Student Nutrition & Dietetic Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.”

 

Explain any research-related opportunities at Fresno State you helped with?

Rousey: “I was a part of the Culinary Medicine program this past year. I took lead of the initiative with Dr. Lisa Herzig to collaborate with California Health Sciences University to bring culinary skills and nutritional knowledge to their students studying to be Doctors of Osteopathy. I was responsible for curating lesson plans, recipe & case study development, and hosting our guests during events, both in-person and online. We conducted research about this developing field in medicine and the needs of medical students in order to incorporate hand-on nutritional promotion in their practice.”

Rousey: “I also helped conduct research about whole grain consumption among elementary students and their families. I worked closely with West Fresno Elementary School in effort to provide their families with culturally-appropriate education about the importance of whole grains in their diet.”

 

What was your most rewarding experience at Fresno State?

Rousey: “Getting the chance to be a part of the football team that played in the Las Vegas Bowl, and having a front seat to the ending of a historic season when they were ranked top 25 and beat Arizona State is something I will always remember. I was lucky enough to be a student athlete on the Fresno State softball team for a few seasons and it has always been so much fun for me to see all fellow athletes be successful on and off the field.”

Rousey: “I love Fresno State and am so thankful to have attended a university that takes pride in tradition, diversity and service!”