Finding a New Passion

Reagan Sparks had a pretty good idea where she was heading in life, until she found a new passion through study abroad –and disaster. 

When the fitness enthusiast entered ETSU in the Roan Scholars Leadership Program Class of 2027, she planned to study kinesiology and nutrition in preparation for a career in the wellness industry.

But in the summer following their first year, Roan Scholars complete a Summer of Service, spending six weeks working with a nonprofit agency. Sparks wanted a challenge, and knew she would find exactly that traveling overseas by herself. She taught English and math to children in Arusha, Tanzania, and spent evenings and weekends getting to know the people and culture of Arusha while helping deliver food to families in need.

“When I came back from Africa, my experience stuck with me,” Sparks said. “I saw malnutrition and food insecurity, probably at its most extreme form, and when I came back to rural Appalachia, I saw it’s also prevalent here. I didn’t know what to do with this newfound passion that was placed on my heart.” 

She met with Roan Scholars Director Scott Jeffress, telling him, “I don’t think kinesiology is my path anymore.” Jeffress connected her with Dr. Randy Wykoff, Dean of the College of Public Health, who helped her find a new path, and she changed to a major in community health with minors in global health and development and nutrition. Her new career goal? Combating food insecurity and malnutrition in the non-profit or policy sector after earning a Master of Public Health degree.

Sparks’ new direction was solidified in the fall of 2024. That semester was much the same as any other … until the end of September. During a fall break visit, Sparks witnessed first-hand the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene on her hometown of Spruce Pine, North Carolina. She immediately jumped in to help her community, assisting with a large distribution center at a local church where families who had lost everything could obtain supplies they needed. 

Now, Sparks participates in research with Wykoff to determine if an excess number of deaths related to Hurricane Helene have occurred in Western North Carolina counties.

Sparks interned in the spring semester with Second Harvest Food Bank, and she has worked there this summer through AmeriCorps, feeding regional schoolchildren. In learning about small-scale sustainable agriculture with Second Harvest, she wrote a grant focused on combatting youth hunger. Through this, they are growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, corn and more in nearly 100 square feet of raised gardens to distribute to children. Sparks hopes to expand this effort this fall, when she will promote her project in the annual ETSU Elevates pitch competition. 

Sparks is among a group of Roan Scholars instrumental in establishing the Johnson City Junior Council, which gives the youth of the city a voice with city leaders as they learn about local government. 

“It’s a wonderful experience to interact with the youth in the area and see their potential,” she said. “I think back to when I was in their shoes – a lot of people poured into me and invested in my development, and that’s what got me to where I am today. It’s important to me to pour back into others, and I’m able to do that through the Johnson City Junior Council.”

Sparks also pours into others through campus activities, serving as Community Service Chair for the Public Health Student Association, which hosts the annual Well-A-Palooza health festival and more. She also leads activities for Get Active Bucs, which provides motivation and encouragement to students who want to learn more about exercise.

By Jennifer Hill   |   Photos by Ron Campbell and Contributed