Corey Hobbs – First In Class

In celebration of National Nutrition month, we caught up with one of our recent grads, Corey Hobbs. In 2022, Corey got his M.A. in Applied Nutrition & Dietetics from Union Institute & University and is now working as Director of Nutrition and Movement at Nashville Nutrition and Strength in Hendersonville, TN.

As a former military officer and Division I football player, Corey has experience with athletics. After leaving the army, he interned at the University of Texas at El Paso in the strength and conditioning department and began online coaching. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Corey decided to be more present at home with his family, so online coaching, in addition to taking classes for his master’s, was right up his alley.

When asked why he wanted to become an RDN, he said “My interest in nutrition started as a collegiate athlete. I was fortunate to have tremendous coaches who helped relay the importance of quality nutrition as it relates to health and performance. As I began my foray into strength and conditioning, I realized that adding a deeper understanding of nutrition to my repertoire would help me help my athletes and clients at a higher level. To match specific training goals with a supportive fueling strategy can be the difference maker, not just for elite athletes but anyone simply wanting to improve their health. Ultimately, I feel that being an RDN makes me a better strength and conditioning coach, and being a strength and conditioning coach makes me a better RDN. Exercise and nutrition have a symbiotic relationship that hugely impacts our health and well-being.”

Union’s M.A. in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics earned accreditation in 2020. Corey was in the first cohort of students to enroll in the program and was the first graduate. “Corey joined the program on a mission to earn his Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential and didn’t let anything stop him, not even COVID-19 restrictions,” said Dr. Lisa Akers, Chair of the Applied Nutrition and Dietetics program. “Corey was a phenomenal student who knew his exact career path from day one. He met his goal of becoming an RDN and is a successful graduate of our program. We are very proud of Corey and all that he’s accomplished.”

In addition to the M.A. in Applied Nutrition & Dietetics from Union, Corey has a B.S. in Kinesiology from the United States Military Academy.