Originally from California, she holds a bachelor’s degree in community nutrition from the University of California at Davis, and a master’s degree in clinical and counseling nutrition from Bastyr University. Sumiya is passionate about cooking, food and nutrition education. In addition to her work at SNAP4CT, Sumiya helped create and manages a program that highlights the culinary skills of refugees in Connecticut in economically viable pursuits that promote their culinary traditions, cultures, and stories. In her spare time, Sumiya enjoys baking, reading, traveling and photography.