Between treating MLB players, running a private practice and working on master’s programs, Austin Kuennen, RDN, MS (’23) has become a pro at time management.
Originally from St. Louis, MO, the 2017 graduate from Lindbergh High School enrolled in the University of Arkansas’ exercise science program with plans to work in healthcare. His interest in healthcare developed as a child watching his mom, Laura Kuennen, serve various roles at Logan University.
“I love sports and grew up alongside the healthcare industry, so I thought exercise science would be a great middle-ground to prepare me for a career in this field,” Austin said. “I also loved seeing the hands-on learning part of Logan’s Doctor of Chiropractic program, so getting that experience was important to me.”
While earning his bachelor’s degree at Arkansas, Austin decided to dual enroll in a few classes in Logan’s Bachelor of Science degrees in human biology and life science.
“I took a few of my undergraduate classes through Logan and ended up graduating with my bachelor’s degree from Arkansas two years early,” he said. “By the fall of 2020, I started my first master’s degree at Logan, a Master of Science in Nutrition and Human Performance (MS-NHP), taking my education to the next level.”
Logan’s MS-NHP online program teaches students how to be experts in human performance by analyzing a patient’s diet and health status, assessing nutritional deficiencies and food allergies and providing evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle guidance.
As he got ready to graduate from the MS-NHP program in 2021, Austin enrolled in a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program. However, with the ongoing pandemic guidelines at the time, he found himself stuck in his room and disinterested in a career as a DO.
“I guess the philosophy of this career just didn’t really align with my personal beliefs,” Austin explained. “I also didn’t enjoy paying all that money for a hands-on program and having to do it online… I just thought to myself, this is not it for me.”
Austin graduated from the MS-NHP program in 2021, dropped the DO program and moved back to St. Louis in January 2022. While home, he heard about a new Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning (MS-SC) program offered at Logan that was beginning that spring.
“I really wanted to be well-rounded and offer a holistic point of view that would give me a competitive edge to get a foot in the door in the sports industry,” Austin said. “The MS-SC program was brand new so I started it right away.”
Logan’s online MS-SC program prepares graduates to apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance—whether that’s conducting sport-specific testing sessions, designing and implementing safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs, or providing guidance on nutrition and injury prevention.
“I also decided to start the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition & Dietetics (MS-AND) program to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN),” Austin said. “Working on the two master’s programs at the same time makes a lot of sense, and the material really complements each other.”
Austin graduated from the MS-SC program in May of 2023 and the MS-AND program in December of that same year.
With three master’s degrees now under his belt and a dream of working in sports professionally, Austin began the search for a job.
“I applied to a few jobs before I even graduated from the MS-AND program or took my RDN exam,” Austin explained. “I applied to a few more after graduation and was offered a spot at Southern Methodist University (SMU) as a sports nutrition assistant for Football and Olympic Sports.”
After accepting the position at SMU and relocating to Texas in early 2024, Austin heard back from another position he had applied for months prior, with MLB’s Baltimore Orioles.
“After the interview process, the Orioles offered me a job as a Sports Dietitian and Strength & Conditioning Coach,” Austin said. “I mean, it’s professional baseball! I had to say yes.”
Austin now works primarily at the Orioles spring training complex in Sarasota, FL, coaching new and rehab players. While occasionally in the weight room assisting with strength training, Austin primarily serves as the team’s dietitian.
In addition to his work with the Orioles, Austin has a private telehealth practice offering one-on-one nutritional counseling. Despite the 70+ hour work week, he still found the time to enroll in Logan’s Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Health Professions Education program, a program designed for healthcare professionals to be expert educators in their fields. He is currently in his third trimester of the program.
“I love being a practitioner and the hands-on work I get to do with sports, but I am definitely open to getting involved in the academic side of things one day,” Austin explains. “I’m putting in the hard work now to earn this degree so it will help open doors for me in the future.”
Austin claims that Logan not only provided him with the education he needed to get him where he is now but also provided him with a second home.
“There are many people that had a massive impact on not only my education but my personal life too,” Austin said. “If you embrace Logan, they will embrace you as part of their family. The faculty and staff will do everything in their power to help you get the best education possible.”
Austin specifically thanks the following individuals for shaping him into the healthcare professional he is today: Laura Kuennen; Mero Nunez, DC (’88); Amy Koch (’04); Allison Harvey, DC; Brittany Ramirez, DC (’15), CCSP, ATC, LAT, MS (’18); Scott Bird, CSCS, RSCC*E, MSCC, SCCC; Stacia Rosen, MA; Crissinnia Lambert; Theresa DeLorenzo, DCN, RD; Helen Halley, MS, RD, LD and Dia Finder, MEd, RD, LD. He also would like to thank Emily Guimond, Zane Whobrey and Whitney Smith from the University of Arkansas, as well as Michael Hanson and the University of Texas athletic performance staff.
“You’ll have nothing but positive experiences at Logan,” Austin says to students interested in the University. “Your peers, the incredible staff and faculty are absolutely there to support you every step of the way.”