At UA, you’ll always have someone in your corner.

Through real stories from students and their mentors, MentorZip highlights the support network that makes UA a place where every Zip thrives — whether it’s a professor igniting a passion for research or an upperclassman helping a first-year student find their path.

Be inspired as we showcase impactful mentorship stories that prove one thing. Here, success isn’t a solo journey — it's powered by mentorship, guidance and a community that truly cares.

For future professionals studying in rigorous fields like exercise science and dietetics, the right mentor can make all the difference. University of Akron (UA) student Hailey Wagner knows this firsthand.  

In her third year at UA, Wagner found herself at a crossroads, unsure of her next step. That’s when a UA advisor connected her to Clinical Dietitian Michelle Boltz at Summa Health — an introduction that would change everything. 

Wagner soon began a transformative summer practicum at Summa, where she worked on nutrition counseling, patient assessments, lab report analyses and post-operative care. Gaining real-world experience in a clinical setting helped Wagner not only discover her true career calling but also brought a special mentor into her life. 

“Michelle blew my mind away during my practicum with her level of patient care and positive attitude that fills any room she walks into,” Wagner said. “Watching the patients’ faces light up when they saw her, and seeing how she made every person feel heard, understood and cared for solidified dietetics as the career path for me.” 

As an exercise science major, Wagner has always been passionate about health care — something that runs in the family. Her dad is a family doctor, her mom an audiologist, and both are UA alumni. Following in their footsteps, she chose to pursue her own degree at UA. 

From there, Wagner built a relationship with Boltz that continues to shape her career and personal growth to this day. 

Guiding the way 

From the very start of offering guidance and seeing it come to life, Boltz recognized something special in Wagner.  

“It was immediately evident that Hailey has an exceptional ability and comfort level interacting with patients and providers,” Boltz said. “She was always prompt and eager to learn and take on new tasks and easily fit in with our interprofessional team of caregivers, including surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, medical assistants and all staff.” 

Boltz went beyond supervision — she mentored Wagner every step of the way. She challenged her to ask tough questions, guided her through complex patient cases and welcomed her into team discussions, ensuring she wasn’t just observing but actively contributing.  

In the case of Hailey Wagner and Michelle Boltz, mentorship doesn’t only influence an academic journey, it helps to accomplish bigger life dreams.

“We would discuss patient cases, and she was able to apply her knowledge from what she had learned during her shadowing experience,” said Boltz. “It is so fun to see students like Hailey who are excited to be challenged and to jump in ready to show their ability to critically think and apply their knowledge.” 

Boltz expanded Wagner’s experience beyond the hospital walls, taking her to speak to a high school cross-country team about the impact of proper nutrition on young athletes. It was a defining moment — showing Wagner the broad reach of dietetics and the real-world impact she could make. 

That connection grew stronger over time. As Wagner absorbed every lesson, Boltz found herself deeply inspired. “Hailey has made a strong and positive impact on me, both professionally and personally,” Boltz said. “She brings a bright, positive contagious energy with her, and that makes the busiest days even better.” 

A career defined by mentorship 

By the end of her practicum, Wagner no longer had doubts — she knew she was meant to pursue dietetics. Wagner had known about UA’s Dietetics Graduate Program, which offers a Master of Public Health in nutrition, but it wasn’t until her mentorship with Boltz that she felt truly ready to commit. 

“Once the summer practicum was over, I knew I was applying for graduate school and knew I wanted to stay at Akron as choosing this University has been the best decision I have made,” said Wagner. “There was nowhere else I wanted to go.” 

The mentorship didn’t end when the practicum did. As Boltz excitedly begins her role as the director of the Dietetics Graduate Program this fall, the two continue to stay closely connected. 

“Hailey and I keep in touch, and I am excited to continue providing any guidance that she may need as she continues her career path and throughout her career,” Boltz said. 

The right diet of support 

At UA, students don’t just get an education — they get a support system of mentors who genuinely care. With dedicated faculty and real-world experiences, students leave prepared to excel in graduate programs and successful careers. 

Boltz understands firsthand how life-changing such mentorship can be. She once stood in Wagner’s shoes, unsure of her path until a mentor guided her. Now, she’s paying it forward. 

“Mentorship is life changing and significantly impacts the student’s career path,” said Boltz. “When I was an undergraduate student here at The University of Akron, I did a practicum at a local hospital, rotating with a variety of dietitians. They appropriately challenged me, and I liked that. As I was in the practicum, I remember thinking, ‘Yes, I am certain that I want to be a registered dietitian.’ I have now been a dietitian for almost 30 years, and I still absolutely love it.” 

Personal mentorship supports life-changing educational opportunities — just ask the next intern you see doing their best. 

“I used to think I didn’t need it — I could figure things out on my own,” said Wagner. “But mentorship allowed me to figure out my career path, and also opened doors and opportunities such as going with her to help explain the importance of proper nutrition to a high school cross-country team. Michelle didn’t just guide my career — she opened doors I never knew existed.” 

Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.