Annual Conference
Conference Session
2015-11-06
"Perceptions of Child Nutrition Programs as Viewed By Students In A University Nutrition and Dietetics Program"Key Areas: Communications/Marketing
Session: Session A - Friday, November 06th, 2015: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
- 104B
Speaker(s): Joan Giampaoli, PhD, RDN - Perceptions Of Child Nutrition Programs AsViewed By Students In A UNiversity Nutrition and Dietetics Program, California State University, Chico
Objectives: At the completion of this session, participants will be able to:
1) identify the perceptions students in a University nutrition and dietetics programs have of school nutrition programs, and
2) identify how child nutrition directors believe the profession can be promoted to recruit future professionals from the University pool who are qualified in nutrition as well as management skills.
Description: The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) specifies management related knowledge, skills and competencies required for entry-level dietitians. However, the values of these skills and their potential use in various professional settings, such as child nutrition programs, may not be fully understood, or appreciated, by students. Management skills and knowledge are frequently not considered relevant or as important to students in nutrition and dietetic programs. Further, many students in these programs do not envision themselves as pursuing careers in food and nutrition management.
There is a limited number of practicing dietitians whose stated career path is food and nutrition management. Given the image of food and nutrition management by nutrition and dietetic students, this trend is poised to continue. Yet, with their educational background in food and nutrition management, these students possess skills and knowledge that make them uniquely qualified to embrace these roles and take on management positions.
This research seeks to elicit information regarding student perceptions of child nutrition programs as well as employment in the child nutrition industry. A questionnaire will be distributed to students in a nutrition and dietetics program in Northern California to answer the above research questions. During the same time period, a questionnaire will be sent to child nutrition directors in Northern California asking their opinion on how they believe the child nutrition industry can be promoted to nutrition and dietetic students to help recruit future professionals. The responses to these research questions will be presented.
Speaker Bio(s):
Joan Giampaoli, PhD, RDN - California State University, Chico
Speaker Bio:
Joan Giampaoli, PhD, RDN is an Associate Professor at California State University, Chico. She teaches courses in food and nutrition management. She has previously taught at Meredith College and San Jose State University. Her research interests include foodservice management, food safety and sanitation, child nutrition programs, and eating disorders. Prior to her academic career, she attended the California Culinary Academy and graduated as a Certified Chef. She has worked as a cook/ supervisor in restaurants in San Jose, CA and as a Nutrition Education Specialist for Head Start. She also worked as a RDN in Minnesota in the area of eating disorders for five years.
Upcoming CSNA Events
November 13-16, 202472nd Annual Conference
April 6-8, 2025
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May 4-6, 2025
Child Nutrition & Industry Summit
