Purdue Global student named US Foods Scholar   

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Growing up cooking with his great-grandparents, working in restaurants and taking culinary courses at a Florida community college, Westley Penland always knew he wanted a career in the food service industry. This dream has become reality for Penland, a Purdue Global student studying nutrition, as he was recently named a US Foods Scholar. He is one of 18 aspiring chefs to be awarded the scholarship.

“I’m so honored to be one of the first school nutrition professionals to receive this scholarship,” Penland said. “I’m inspired every day to change the way school meals are perceived, and it feels really good for that to be recognized.”

Penland says the scholarship will allow him to focus more on school and reach his professional goals. Along with the financial benefit, Penland will receive additional professional development training and assistance with job placement, if needed, after he graduates.

Penland is originally from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and now lives near Bloomington, Indiana, where he works as a nutrition coordinator for the Monroe County Community School Corp. Penland is making an impact on the way students think about and consume food in a school setting, which also ties into his long-term career goal of enacting systemic change within the industry.

“My goals are to implement training programs to bring farm-fresh scratch cooking to schools and write nutrition policies for schools and students to both improve nutrition to children and provide universal free meals for all students,” Penland said.

Penland says his experience at Purdue Global has been key to his success.

“Purdue Global has allowed a work-life-school balance, which was one of the biggest issues when I was considering pursuing a degree in nutrition,” Penland said. “I’ve found it engaging and a positive experience so far.”

Penland says he plans to pursue a Master of Public Health following his graduation in March 2027.

“It’s never too late. Go back to school; follow your dreams; fill out the forms; do the work; live in your passion,” Penland said. “Good things come to those following their hearts, and I believe this.”

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.