Brianne Pulver

Hometown:

Germantown, NY, and Burrillville, RI

What I was doing before RWU: 

Before starting RWU I was a Johnson & Wales undergraduate student (2013,2015). I have my A.S. in Culinary Arts and Bachelors in Culinary Nutrition, Minor in Psychology. I had worked in a few RI and MA school districts as a menu planner, area manager and nutrition database specialist. I had just taken a Food Service Director Position in Spencer MA and had my daughter before I started classes at RWU.

I decided to pursue the Leadership MS program because I was looking for a degree that could empower me, not just provide me a MS. I am in a position in my career to learn techniques, not just memorize material. Also, my husband graduated from RWU with his BS 2015, MS 2022 and is a staff member of the university so he was a great recruiter. 

My future plans:

I am in the process of becoming the President of the School Nutrition Association of Massachusetts. I took on the role of Vice President this year 2022-2023 and will be President in 2024-2025. I am hoping with my experience from RWU and working with a large nonprofit organization I will be able to expand to national involvement with the School Nutrition Association and fight Childhood Hunger. 

My favorite parts of my student experience at RWU: 

Some of my favorite student experiences are that even though the courses are rigorous I feel like I can actively apply the concepts to my job. I was originally worried about taking classes online and not feeling like I could have a connection with the professors. I was pleasantly surprised. After the first semester I fell into a groove with the classes. 

The spring semester 2022 I was able to connect more with fellow classmates at Graduate events. This was fun for both me and my husband because he was finishing his Masters when I was starting mine. 
I originally enrolled in the certificate program and was encouraged by my advisor to continue with my masters. It was reassuring to see someone saw my potential to continue with the degree. 

Best advice for students planning to go to graduate school: 

Search out a program you are TRULY interested in, not just something to get a degree in. Evaluate how many classes you are willing to take each term and GO for it. There is always someone rooting for you. It could be a fellow student, professor or someone at home. 

Favorite things to do in the area: 

I lived in Bristol when I was finishing my undergraduate degree and I loved going to the Bristol Bagel Shop and getting day old bagels (I was on a college budget) and walking the bike path to Colt State Park. I also liked to go to the Polo games in Middletown. In northern RI I love going to Wright’s Dairy Farm.