Accelerated student Arianna Joyce ’26, ’27MS is a competitive figure skater who is passionate about nutrition. We spoke with her about the encouraging community at Simmons and the value of an accelerated education.
“My love for nutrition began on the ice,” says competitive figure skater Arianna Joyce ’26, ’27MS, who is pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Master of Science in Nutrition and Health Promotion (4+1), as well as a minor in Health and Exercise Science.
“I suffered a bad injury and was off the ice for a long time. I learned the importance of nutrition in healing and recovery and, therefore, performance. From then on, I was interested in the relationship between nutrition and health, and the rest is history,” she says.
Choosing an Accelerated Pathway
From the outset, Joyce knew that she wanted to attend college in Boston. “I also love how Simmons is in a city but it still feels like a [small] campus,” she says. “Simmons is also down the street from some of the best teaching hospitals in the country.”
Joyce knew about Simmons’ great reputation since her older sister, Colleen Joyce ’23DPT, earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Simmons.
Moreover, Joyce appreciates the accelerated education that Simmons offers, which will enable her to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nutrition and Health Promotion in five years. “It’s a good fit for me and I’m excited to stay at Simmons the next academic year … and it’s the best option for me financially,” she says.
Joyce is the recipient of the Ruby Winslow Linn Scholarship Award, which is given to a rising senior with an outstanding academic record and leadership potential.
Building Relationships with Faculty
“The small class sizes [at Simmons] have given me the opportunity to build relationships with my professors and classmates,” Joyce says. “Having those connections, you can feel confident to challenge yourself and reach your specific goals.”
Some of Joyce’s favorite courses include “Lifestyle Rx” (NUTR 360), taught by Assistant Professor Jacqueline Beatty, and “Medical Nutrition Therapy” (NUTR 334), taught by Associate Professor Kathrina Prelack. “It’s interesting to see how the fundamentals I have learned [e.g., biology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology] can be incorporated into nutrition practice,” she says.
“The professors in the Department of Nutrition are the kindest people I’ve ever met,” Joyce says. “They are supportive, and I’m so glad that I’ve been able to build relationships with them … They genuinely want to help me to reach my goals.”
In sum, Joyce finds the Simmons community supportive and encouraging. “They want what’s best for you, whatever that looks like for yourself. I feel like I’ve been challenged in a positive way to get where I am today.”
An Aspiring Dietitian
In terms of a long-term career goal, Joyce wishes to become a registered dietitian. She recently found out that she has been accepted into Brigham and Women’s Dietetic Internship for Fall 2027.
“After I complete my master’s at Simmons, I will begin my dietetic internship there to complete my competencies and supervised practice to sit for the national examination. This internship is very selective, selecting 12 interns total each year in the country. I am so grateful for all of the support from my professors to help me reach my goal,” she says.
“I think Simmons has done a wonderful job of preparing me for my career,” Joyce adds. “Simmons has given me a very well-rounded education and the opportunity to explore. . . . Simmons has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to be a qualified Registered Dietitian.”
For Joyce, one of the most fulfilling aspects of nutrition is making a positive impact on people’s health.
“It’s really rewarding to see how nutrition can affect one’s health. And it’s really cool to see how the food that we eat impacts athletic performance, energy levels, and recovery,” she says. “I love how my passion for nutrition will be able to help people one day.”