Undergraduate

Katherine Dragna

  • Class

    Class of 2025
  • Program

    Dietetics and Nutrition ( School of Applied Sciences )
  • Hometown

    Mandeville, LA (Southwest)
  • Involvement

    Greek Life
  • About

    Hey, my name is Kate Dragna and I am from Mandeville, Louisiana. I am a junior pursuing a degree in Dietetics and Nutrition, and I want to go to Physician Assistant graduate school after undergraduate. I fell in love with Ole Miss and the NHM department because of how welcoming and caring the community is.

Why did you choose to attend UM?

I chose to attend UM because the community at Ole Miss is truly one of a kind. Going to school out of state can be scary, but I knew that the environment and people here would be a source of comfort. Also, I found there was a degree path that was perfect for what I wanted to do.

When and why did you choose your major/minor?

I had always been interested in nutrition growing up, but I also felt like I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. I entered college as a Dietetics and Nutrition major and immediately recognized the amazing opportunity to emphasize in Health Sciences. With my addition of a minor in Biological Sciences, I have enjoyed learning about nutrition and obtaining my prerequisites for a medical occupation.

What are your career goals?

I want to be a Physician Assistant.

What has been a particularly meaningful way you have engaged in the community?

Through my sorority, I have had the opportunity to deliver frozen leftover food from my sorority to low incoming housing facilities in Oxford every Tuesday. This experience has been such an eye opening and rewarding experience that has allowed me to interact with the community.

What do you like to do outside of school?

I love going on walks on the South Campus trail or around the square. I also enjoyed going to work at a physical therapy clinic because I get to interact with patients all day.

What are you binge watching?

I am binge watching Suits on Netflix.

What is your favorite place to eat in Oxford?

Tarasque Cucina. 

What are some dream travel destinations?

One of my dream destinations is Florence, Italy because I want the opportunity to experience the cuisine there. I also think that it would be interesting to go to Australia.

What is your favorite place to study on or off campus?

My favorite place to study on campus is the Honors College and off campus is the Graduate.

Why is your department a special place?

I think NHM is so special because all of the professors are so passionate about their classes and truly care for their students. The class sizes are typically fairly small, so it is very easy to build a connection with professors and other peers in classes.

What are your three favorite things about major/department?

  1. The 3 different emphasis offered for a B.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition allow for students to pursue a wide variety of occupations.

  2. Professors care about their students and are passionate about the topics they are teaching.

  3. The classes are very interesting. For example, I had the best time in my NHM 211/213

    cooking lab my freshman year.