Naugatuck Valley Community College student Jhevaun Gordon is spreading the word about good nutrition. Several summers ago, Gordon says he made a commitment to eat a more balanced diet. “I found that by eating a lot more vegetables and fruits, I felt a lot happier; I was more energized; my digestion was a lot better; and I could also focus better in class. Because you are what you eat.”

Now, Gordon, who’s a wellness advisor at the Waterbury YMCA, wants to share what he knows about a healthy diet with the NVCC campus by establishing a new student club. “I would just like to give a lot more insight to students on how to eat, what to eat, portion sizes,  healthy digestion and what promotes good health—and that would be nutrition.”

Gordon hopes the Nutrition Club, which was approved by the Student Government Association (SGA) Board in September, serves as his lasting legacy on campus after his anticipated graduation in 2016. He says dozens of students have expressed an interest already.

What sparked Gordon’s interest in nutrition? “Feeling better,” he says.

The General Studies major, who’s also an intern with the College’s GEAR UP initiative, sees nutrition and healthy living as a potential career path. “Advising people on the ins and outs and the good and bad habits of nutrition… I’ve always wondered how people can feel better,” says Gordon.

Gordon says when he researched the links between proper nutrition and health, he was amazed to learn how many illnesses can be linked to a poor diet. That, he says, is one of the main motivators to education people about leading a healthy lifestyle.

How to Start a New Club
Gordon says the process to start a new club at NVCC is quite straightforward. It begins by picking up a club packet in the Student Activities office, Room S514 and demonstrating support for the proposed club by collecting signatures from at least 10 students who want to join, selecting officers, enlisting a faculty advisor, articulating the group’s purpose, developing an organizational constitution and electing a representative for the SGA meetings. Also, preparing an organizational budget request is an optional step.

Once the paperwork is complete, a representative of the proposed club contacts the SGA Board in Room S516, asking that the group’s intent to form a club be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. If the SGA Representatives recognize the new club at the meeting and the Director of Student Activities approves the club based on College policy, the new club is then given an initial budget and begins its work.

“Student Activities and the SGA welcome students to initiate new clubs on campus to meet the diverse needs of our students on the Waterbury and Danbury campuses,” says Director of Student Activities Karen Blake. Currently, NVCC boasts nearly 40 student clubs.