Ashland University Group Attends Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics National Conference

Ashland University’s Dietetics Program was well represented at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ (AND) National Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo held in Philadelphia, Pa. Oct. 6-9.

Ten dietetics students, including Dietetics Program Director Dr. David Vanata, attended this national conference. The students included (front row from left) Rebecca Hof, Autumn Sweet, Ivana Petrovic, Natalie Hritz; and (back row from left) Kayley Thomas, Heather Bumbalough, Jessica Jurcak, Carly Steed, Krista Youngpeter, Korynn Kelly and Dr. Vanata.

This was the first dietetics group from Ashland University to attend this annual conference, which generally attracts around 10,000 registered dietitians and other nutrition professionals.

Student involvement in professional conferences is an expectation among the dietetics major, which can provide opportunities for networking with peers, attending educational sessions and meeting with Dietetic Internship directors from other institutions around the country.

Senior dietetics students will be completing their research projects this year and plan on submitting their proposals for consideration to present at the next Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Conference to be held in Houston, Texas.

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category for 2013, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students. ###