Christie Ford

School Nutrition Foundation Member Award-Professional Development 2026 

Years in School Nutrition: 20 years

Students Served: 7,800

Scholarship Award: Schwan’s Food Service Scholarship

“Earning my Associate degree was one of the proudest accomplishments of my life because I became the first person in my family to earn a college degree. For many years, going to college felt impossible while working full-time and raising a family. Completing that milestone showed me that it is never too late to pursue your dreams. Now, I am continuing that journey by working toward my Bachelor’s degree. I hope my perseverance shows my children that no goal is out of reach if you are willing to work hard and never give up.”

Why School Nutrition?      

I love to cook and I’ve always believed that food is more than just nourishment. Food has a unique way of bringing comfort, creating connections, and lifting people’s spirits. Whether someone is celebrating, feeling under the weather, or simply having a difficult day, a good meal can make them feel cared for. Being able to provide that sense of comfort and joy while supporting students’ health and success is what makes my work so meaningful to me.

Investing in My Future

My goal is to become the best leader I can be for my team and the students we serve. I believe that education gives me the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions, lead with integrity, and create meaningful improvements within school nutrition programs. Every class I complete provides new skills that I can immediately apply to my work, whether it’s strategic planning, financial management, organizational leadership, or building stronger teams.  This scholarship will allow me to continue pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration while balancing the responsibilities of leading a Nutrition Services department. As a full-time director, single mom, and student, every bit of support helps ease the financial burden of continuing my education and allows me to stay focused on achieving my academic and professional goals.

School/University: Grand Canyon University

Program of Study: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Graduation Date: 2028