Raven Hall, who was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be graduating this December 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences, with certificates in food systems and global health. In this Q&A, Hall describes her interest in the intersection of food and health, her student org experiences (including co-founding two orgs), her future plans, and embracing self-compassion.

How did you decide on your major/program? Why did you choose it?
I was first prompted to explore the field of nutritional sciences after getting involved in community-based organizations surrounding food supply chains and agriculture. These experiences taught me about the complexities of food, including culture, distribution, and access. I then realized that with my passion for food and the many ways food complicated health outcomes, I needed a major that would help me address all these problems.

Upon taking nutritional sciences, I was fascinated by its ability to explain phenotypes from the micro to macro level, all through the lens of what we eat. I then chose to major in nutritional sciences because I saw the potential it had in bridging gaps between public knowledge and academia, which is vital for combatting health disparities. Through encouraging interdisciplinary approaches, I now feel that I have a unique perspective and tools to help my own community.

What were the most valuable/meaningful college experiences you had?
The most valuable, overarching experience in college has been my involvement in food systems. Through student organizations like Campus Food Shed and FHKing Students for Sustainable Agriculture, I gained an appreciation for food growers and agricultural methods, as well as the barriers that people may face in accessing produce. Then, the Global Gateway India program challenged me to connect religion, politics, and nutrition to the idea of food security through field research.

All these tools later pushed me to co-found the Food Justice Collective and UW-Madison’s first chapter of Swipe Out Hunger on campus. These are organizations that I hope will carry on and impact students in the future. Overall, I have grown immensely as a person and professional, but most importantly, these opportunities have helped me build life-long relationships with incredible individuals and groups.

When you think about your time here as student, what are you proud of?
Thinking about my time here, as a student, I am most proud of the way in which I challenged myself to truly find the best area of study for me. Though it may have taken longer than expected to earn my degree, I became more independent, and well-rounded, and met a diverse group of mentors along the way.

What are your future academic and/or career plans?
I am currently in the process of applying to medical school for the upcoming 2023 cycle. My short-term goal is to continue building networks between local food-related organizations and health institutions in Wisconsin. I also plan to continue mentoring other students who are interested in taking less traditional paths toward medicine and public health. In the distant future, I am interested in building larger social networks, as a healthcare provider, which integrate food and health policymakers into the discussion of health disparities.

Do you have any advice you’d like to share with CALS students? 
One piece of advice that was given to me many times, but took me a while to practice, is to be patient with yourself. By learning to self-reflect and be kind to yourself through the inevitable detours and bumps in the road, you become more resilient. Also, for students who are struggling to figure out a major, just know that there is a place for you here at Madison. The key is to take advantage of the diverse course offerings, follow the topics that interest you most, and don’t be afraid to connect with the faculty and staff.