RIT student launches Tiger Nutrition program to help classmates understand why protein shakes are not enough for healthy eating

Rochester, New York – Most college students can agree on one thing—eating healthy on a busy schedule is tough. Between long classes, late-night study sessions, and tight budgets, it can be tempting to lean on quick fixes like protein shakes, frozen dinners, or the nearest pizza delivery. But one student at Rochester Institute of Technology is on a mission to prove that nutrition can’t be shortcut and that simple, whole foods can make a huge difference in everyday life.

That student is Maddy Degenfelder, a graduate student from Brockport, N.Y., pursuing her BS/MS degree in dietetics and nutrition. As a nutrition educator at the Student Life Center, Degenfelder is leading a new initiative called Tiger Nutrition, designed to close what she calls the “nutrition-knowledge gap” among college students. Through workshops, Q&A sessions, and peer-to-peer conversations, she is bringing practical and evidence-based nutrition advice to her classmates.

For Degenfelder, the project is personal. She knows how easy it is for students to get caught up in diet trends or believe that supplements can replace meals. But she wants to make the science of food more approachable. “What matters more than your health? My goal behind Tiger Nutrition is to foster a holistic approach to student wellness,” she said. “Everyone knows they should eat their fruits and vegetables, but why? I want people to understand how these foods function in their body compared to, say, multivitamins or protein-packed ice cream.”

The program is more than lectures. Tiger Nutrition offers a series of recurring events under the Recreation and Wellness umbrella. Classes like College Nutrition 101 and Food for Thought break down healthy eating basics in an interactive way. Students who want more casual advice can drop by the Ask an Expert: Nutrition Q&A on Friday mornings. For those curious about trends, Breaking Down the Buzz digs into topics like fad diets, supplements, or the newest “superfoods.” All sessions are free, open to students, and held in the Student Life Center.

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Michelle Schrouder, who directs Recreation and Wellness programs, said that what makes Tiger Nutrition effective is its peer-led approach. “Students are comfortable talking candidly to peers who understand the realities of college life—tight budgets, dining hall options, and busy schedules—leading to strong trust and follow-through for more information,” Schrouder explained. “Programs like Maddy’s, and others in the Student Health Center, create a campus-wide culture of health through personalized practical guidance. For Maddy, this provides her with applied experience, counseling skills, leadership, professionalism, networking, and career readiness.”

The idea for Tiger Nutrition grew out of Degenfelder’s earlier work. She first designed a sports nutrition workshop for the Women in Weightlifting club at RIT. When that session received strong feedback, she decided to expand the concept. With encouragement from her mentor William Brewer, director of exercise science, she pitched the program to the Recreation and Wellness team. “Faculty in the Wegmans School of Health and Nutrition are really good about reaching out to students and encouraging us to pursue opportunities,” Degenfelder said. “Professor Bill Brewer gave me the nudge about Tiger Nutrition. ‘I think you would be good at this. You seem passionate about it, why don’t you explore it?’ Then, I went and did that.”

Support also came from faculty leadership in her academic program. Elizabeth Ruder, chair of the Wegmans School of Health and Nutrition, said Degenfelder’s work reflects both her personal drive and the school’s mission. “Maddy embodies the kind of student drawn to the Wegmans School of Health and Nutrition—engaged, community-minded, and motivated by service,” Ruder said. “Her initiative not only strengthens her own development as a nutrition professional but also amplifies the reach and impact of our program.”

Tiger Nutrition will also connect with new tools being introduced on campus. The Wegmans School recently received a donation from the Katz family to fund a professional-grade mobile kitchen. The unit, which includes a cooktop, fridge, sink, and plumbing, will allow food preparation demonstrations to take place right on campus grounds. The kitchen is expected to launch during the spring semester and will give students a hands-on experience with healthy cooking, further bridging the gap between classroom learning and daily life.

This investment reflects the broader goal of not just telling students to eat better, but showing them how. As Ruder explained, the gift was made by Kathy Katz, a 1988 computer science graduate, who wanted “to impact nutrition education at RIT and help improve nutrition in Rochester.”

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For Degenfelder, every conversation and workshop is a chance to help her peers rethink what healthy eating looks like. She stresses that nutrition is not about perfection or following rigid rules—it’s about building a foundation that supports both physical health and academic success. “Shortcutting nutrition is shortchanging yourself,” she said.

As the semester continues, Tiger Nutrition is becoming an established presence on campus. For many students, it’s the first time they’ve been able to ask questions about food in a comfortable, relatable setting. For Degenfelder, it’s also a valuable opportunity to put her training into practice while preparing for her career in dietetics.

Ultimately, her message is straightforward but powerful: pizza and protein shakes might get you through an all-nighter, but they can’t sustain you in the long run. Whole foods, balanced meals, and understanding the “why” behind nutrition are what will help students thrive—not just in college, but well beyond it.